A biobased additive is provided that is both a nucleating and a reinforcing agent when added to thermoplastic polyester (e.g., biopolyesters). A composite material, which is an additive-reinforced biopolyester, was prepared and improved thermo-mechanical properties were quantified. This composite material is a new class of biobased material that offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution for packaging and other applications.

A biobased additive is provided that is both a nucleating and a reinforcing agent when added to thermoplastic polyester (e.g., biopolyesters). A composite material, which is an additive-reinforced biopolyester, was prepared and improved thermo-mechanical properties were quantified. This composite material is a new class of biobased material that offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution for packaging and other applications.

The present invention relates to biodegradable and compostable granules consisting of natural ingredients comprising starch and thickening and gelling agents and does not comprise bioplastics. According to the invention, the granules are used for producing biodegradable and preferably compostable products and articles of daily use. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the granules according to the invention, as well as methods for producing different products by using the granules according to the invention.

A method of manufacturing a biodegradable bioplastic includes preparing a plant derived polymer base, preparing bamboo extracts from bamboo wood, and combining the bamboo extracts with the polymer base, optionally by heating and mixing the polymer base in a liquid form together with the bamboo extracts in a liquid form. The bamboo extracts may be applied as a surface treatment of the polymer base, with the polymer base in a solid form. The plant derived polymer base may include water, potassium bicarbonate, glycerol and starch, such as arrowroot. The plant derived polymer base and the bamboo extracts may be combined at ambient temperature, heated, cooled, reheated and recooled and solidified.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fire resistant material and methods of making same, the fire resistant material comprising a material incorporating a mixture comprising carbon nanotubes, nanoclay, and a dispersing agent.

A matte polyester film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The matte polyester film includes a physically recycled polyester resin and a chemically recycled polyester resin. The physically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of physically recycled polyester chips. The chemically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips and mixed with the physically recycled polyester resin. The plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips further include chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips. The chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips contain electrostatic pinning additives, and the electrostatic pinning additives are metal salts. Expressed in percent by weight based on a total weight of the polyester film, a content of the electrostatic pinning additives in the polyester film is between 0.005% and 0.1% by weight. The matte polyester film further includes a matting additive.

A matte polyester film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The matte polyester film includes a physically recycled polyester resin and a chemically recycled polyester resin. The physically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of physically recycled polyester chips. The chemically recycled polyester resin is formed by a plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips and mixed with the physically recycled polyester resin. The plurality of chemically recycled polyester chips further include chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips. The chemically recycled electrostatic pinning polyester chips contain electrostatic pinning additives, and the electrostatic pinning additives are metal salts. Expressed in percent by weight based on a total weight of the polyester film, a content of the electrostatic pinning additives in the polyester film is between 0.005% and 0.1% by weight. The matte polyester film further includes a matting additive.

Provided is a litter for animals that has a reduced bulk density while retaining an advantage of a granular material containing bentonite as a main component, i.e., an ability to form a granular mass having a high strength and low height after urine absorption. The litter for animals according to the present invention comprises a plurality of granular materials including a high-bulk density granular material and a low-bulk density granular material at a ratio by mass of 60:40-40:60, wherein: the high-bulk density granular material contains bentonite as a main component; and the low-bulk density granular material is configured of a core layer and a skin layer, said skin layer coating the surface of the core layer and containing a binder by which grains of the plurality of granular materials are bound to each other.

A method for forming a composition that includes mixing an antimicrobially active botanical oil (e.g., thymol, carvacrol, etc.) and a modified starch polymer within a melt blending device (e.g., extruder) is provided. Unlike the problems associated with proteins, the use of starch polymers allows for a greater degree of flexibility in the processing conditions and is still able to achieve good properties in the resulting composition. The present inventors have also discovered that a plasticizer may be employed to facilitate melt processing of the starch, as well as to enhance the ability of the botanical oil to flow into the internal structure of the starch where it can be retained in a stable manner. The composition is also typically generally free of solvents. In this manner, the starch will not generally disperse before use and prematurely release the botanical oil. Due to the water sensitivity of the modified starch, however, it may be subsequently dispersed by moisture when it is desired to release the botanical oil.

The present invention provides a process for extruding and pelletising a propylene copolymer. The copolymer has a content of comonomer from 5 to 40% by mole, a melt flow rate MFR.sub.2 measured at 230° C. under a load of 2.16 kg of from 0.5 to 15 g/10 min and a content of cold xylene soluble material of from 20 to 60% by weight. The process comprises extruding the propylene copolymer through a die plate into an underwater pelletiser and cutting strands of the propylene copolymer into pellets in the underwater pelletiser, wherein the ratio of the mass flow rate of the propylene copolymer to the mass flow rate of the cooling water is from 0.020 to 0.060; and the propylene copolymer comprises a polymeric nucleating agent.