Provided is an apparatus for producing solid polymeric microparticles, the apparatus comprising a plurality of liquid droplet generators for forming liquid droplets of a first liquid, and a nozzle for forming a jet of a second liquid, wherein the plurality of liquid droplet generators and the nozzle are arranged relative to each other such that, in use, liquid droplets from the plurality of liquid droplet generators pass through a gas into said jet of second liquid. Also provided is a process for producing solid microparticles, the process comprising: providing a first liquid comprising a solute and a solvent, the solute comprising a biocompatible polymer, the concentration of polymer in the first liquid being at least 10% w/v, ‘w’ being the weight of the polymer and ‘v’ being the volume of the solvent, providing a plurality of liquid droplet generators operable to generate liquid droplets, providing a jet of a second liquid, causing the plurality of liquid droplet generators to form liquid droplets of the first liquid, passing the liquid droplets through a gas to contact the jet of the second liquid so as to cause the solvent to exit the droplets, thus forming solid microparticles, the solubility of the solvent in the second liquid being at least 5 g of solvent per 100 ml of second liquid, the solvent being substantially miscible with the second liquid.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

The invention refers to a method for producing expanded polymer pellets, which comprises the following steps: melting a polymer comprising a polyamide; adding at least one blowing agent; expanding the melt through at least one die for producing an expanded polymer; and pelletizing the expanded polymer. The invention further concerns polymer pellets produced with the method as well as their use, e.g. for the production of cushioning elements for sports apparel, such as for producing soles or parts of soles of sports shoes. A further aspect of the invention concerns a method for the manufacture of molded components, comprising loading pellets of an expanded polymer material into a mold, and connecting the pellets by providing heat energy, wherein the expanded polymer material of the pellets or beads comprises a chain extender. The molded components may be used in broad ranges of application.

A method and device for comminuting a thermoplastic polymer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, and for producing therefrom pulverulent materials with a predefined grain distribution, includes the following steps: comminuting the thermoplastic polymer, which is provided in lump form, into a starting powder in a comminuting device, and subsequently screening this starting powder at least once until a predefined grain distribution has been attained. A release agent, which reduces the tack and capability for agglomeration formation of the starting powder, is fed into the comminuting device during the comminuting step.

The present invention provides thermoplastic polyurethane particles, which are formed in a continuous matrix phase from a thermoplastic polyurethane resin and have a particle diameter of 200-500 μm. In a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve of the thermoplastic polyurethane particles, derived from the analysis of a temperature rise of 10° C./min by DSC, a peak of the cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) is shown at a temperature between the glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m). The thermoplastic polyurethane particles have a compression degree of 10-20%.

The present invention provides thermoplastic polyurethane particles, which are formed in a continuous matrix phase from a thermoplastic polyurethane resin and have a particle diameter of 200-500 μm. In a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve of the thermoplastic polyurethane particles, derived from the analysis of a temperature rise of 10° C./min by DSC, a peak of the cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) is shown at a temperature between the glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m). The thermoplastic polyurethane particles have a compression degree of 10-20%.

The present invention relates to a loose wax powder obtained from renewable materials, in which the particles have a particle size such that: the D90v is less than 20 microns the SPAN calculated by the formula (D90-D10)/D50 is less than 1.8 the volume percentage of particles with a diameter of at least 30 microns is less than 5%. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing such a powder.

The present invention relates to a loose wax powder obtained from renewable materials, in which the particles have a particle size such that: the D90v is less than 20 microns the SPAN calculated by the formula (D90-D10)/D50 is less than 1.8 the volume percentage of particles with a diameter of at least 30 microns is less than 5%. The present invention also relates to a process for preparing such a powder.

Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.

Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.