A foamed, opacifying element is prepared to have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4. A method is carried out in a specific order with a unique series of steps including: providing a unique foamable aqueous composition; aerating that foamable aqueous composition to a foam density of at least 0.1-0.5 g/cm.sup.3; disposing the foamed aqueous composition onto a surface of a porous substrate; drying the foamed aqueous composition without substantial curing of the binder material therein, to provide a dry foamed composition on the surface, without substantial curing; densifying the dry foamed composition to provide a dry opacifying layer in a foamed, opacifying element; and curing the dry opacifying layer in the foamed, opacifying element.

The disclosure provides flexible, hydrophobic textiles, methods of producing the textiles and uses of the textiles. The flexible, hydrophobic textiles feel and behave like leather. The textiles are prepared from a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast and are reacted with silica sol.

The present invention relates to a grown bioleather (1), which can be used in all sectors where animal skin and artificial leather are used, resembles a genuine leather both physically and optically, does not contain any chemicals, and has cellulose produced by microorganisms as its raw material and production method thereof. With the bioleather production method (100), a bioleather that can be named as vegan leather is obtained, which leather prevents climate change and environmental pollution by reducing carbon emissions and supports sustainable development and green economy. The said bioleather (1) involves a bacterial weaving process, can decompose in soil in a short amount of time, is highly environmentally friendly, flexible and has high tensile strength and high mechanical strength.

Coated and expanded, nanofiber structures are provided and methods of use thereof.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a dyed biopolymer comprising the steps of providing at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism, providing at least one dye-producing microorganism, culturing said at least one biopolymer-producing microorganism to produce at least a biopolymer, and culturing said dye-producing microorganism wherein said dye-producing microorganism produce at least a dye suitable to dye at least part of said biopolymer, whereby a dyed biopolymer is obtained. The present invention also relates to a dyed biopolymer, to process for the production of a dyed composite article comprising at least the dyed biopolymer and to articles comprising the dyed biopolymer.

A foamed, opacifying element is prepared to have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4. A method is carried out in a specific order with a unique series of steps including: providing a unique foamable aqueous composition; aerating that foamable aqueous composition to a foam density of at least 0.1-0.5 g/cm.sup.3; disposing the foamed aqueous composition onto a surface of a porous substrate; drying the foamed aqueous composition without substantial curing of the binder material therein, to provide a dry foamed composition on the surface, without substantial curing; densifying the dry foamed composition to provide a dry opacifying layer in a foamed, opacifying element; and curing the dry opacifying layer in the foamed, opacifying element.

Patterned light-blocking elements are prepared using a method having operations A) through F). Such method includes providing an ii) embossed and densified foamed opacifying layer on the back side of a i) fabric and a iii) non-foamed function composition on the ii) embossed and densified foamed opacifying layer. Embossing can be carried out using a specific i) fabric having a prefabricated visible relief pattern on its face side. During embossing and densification, this prefabricated visible relief pattern self-embosses the ii) embossed and densified foamed opacifying layer, thus providing a visible relief pattern in that layer that can be viewed from the face side of the patterned light-blocking element when appropriately backlit as a transmissive display in a darkened environment. Such elements can be used as window treatments as well as decorative fabrics in various environments.

Coated and expanded, nanofiber structures are provided and methods of use thereof.

The present invention provides a process for the production of a fabric having a unique appearance and the fabric so obtained. Also provided is the clothing articles, i.e. garments, including the fabric. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for producing a woven fabric having a unique, e.g. used (i.e. worn-out) or multi-shaded appearance and the process includes a step of providing a woven fabric with a layer of bacterial biopolymer, dyeing at least part of the fabric together with the biopolymer layer, and then removing at least part of the bacterial biopolymer layer from the fabric.

The present invention relates to a process for the production of a composite textile article which includes at least a biopolymer layer, comprising the following steps: providing at least one textile article, in particular selected from a fiber, a yarn, a fabric and a garment; providing at least part of said textile article with at least a biopolymer layer; providing at least part of said biopolymer layer with at least a textile softening agent, to provide a composite textile article; and to a composite textile article as obtainable therefrom.