Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Ba.sup.2+, Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

The present invention relates to the field of producing eco-friendly material such as pads made from agricultural waste, such as banana crop fibers, for use in various applications such as with evaporative coolers. The invention provides methods for manufacturing durable and biodegradable cooler pads suitable for use in evaporative cooling systems, for erosion control, and agricultural applications. The pads are formed by laying out banana fibers in a predetermined configuration and applying a biodegradable bonding agent to the fibers. The bonded pads are then dried, packaged, and made ready for use in evaporative coolers. Importantly, the bonding agent employed ensures that the pads remain intact and do not disintegrate when exposed to water such as in the evaporative cooling process.

The present invention relates to the field of animal bedding and, more specifically, to pads made from banana fiber for use as animal bedding. The invention provides a novel method for manufacturing durable and biodegradable pads. The pads are formed by laying out banana fibers in a predetermined configuration and applying a biodegradable bonding agent to the fibers. The bonded pads are then dried, packaged, and made ready for use as bedding. Importantly, the bonding agent employed ensures that the pads remain intact and do not disintegrate when exposed to water.

Proposed are a composite material containing inorganic fibers and a method for producing the same. A composite material according to the present disclosure produced by mixing a wet-laid nonwoven fabric including inorganic fibers with a resin can exhibit excellent physical properties in terms of tensile strength and flexural strength.