A method of producing a bioplastic granulate on the basis of sunflower seed shells or sunflower seed hulls. In the method, ground sunflower seed shells/sunflower seed hull material is provided, wherein the particle size is in the region of 3 mm or less, preferably in the region of 0.01 to 1 mm, preferably in the region of 0.1 to 0.3 mm. A plastic material is provided, which is compounded with the sunflower seed shells/sunflower seed hull material, wherein the compounding operation is preferably effected in an extruder, preferably a double-screw extruder. The compounded material is chopped at the end of the extruder section with a tool with the addition of water, wherein the water is at a temperature of preferably more than 50 C., preferably about 80 to 90 C., to cool down the compound material. During the compounding operation, the compounding material is subjected to atmospheric degassing and/or vacuum degassing.

A composition including a biodegradable resin; a plant-based filler present in an amount of about 20 percent or more based on a total weight of the composition; one or more compatibilizers; and a plasticizer, a lubricant, or both; wherein the composition is configured to be extruded so that the composition forms a wall having a thickness from about 0.1 mm to 0.22 mm.

A composite material comprising a polymer and a carbonized hemp filler, wherein the carbonized hemp filler is produced by carbonizing hemp at a temperature of at least 1100 C to produce a char; and milling the char to produce a particle size, wherein the filler comprises 95% of particles of less than 10 microns in size; and wherein the hemp filler comprises between 1 and 50% of the total mass of the composite.

A composite material may include at least one thermoplastic resin; and from 5 to 180 parts by weight of granular shive from hemp and/or flax, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, with particles having an average particle size lower than 0.2 millimeters (mm). A method for the manufacture of a composite material may include: melting the at least one thermoplastic resin; mixing the at least one molten resin with from 5 to 180 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, of granular shive from hemp and/or flax with an average particle size lower than 0.2 mm; and cooling the mixture obtained in order to form the composite material.

An artificial flower, plant, or other botanical is produced from an aqueous agar-based solidifying mixture. The artificial botanical may be colored as desired by adding one or more colorants. The artificial botanical may also be scented by adding a perfume, odorant, or other scent. Because the artificial botanical is produced using the aqueous agar-based solidifying mixture, no animal-based gelatin products are used. The artificial botanical may thus also be edible and satisfies vegan diets. The artificial botanical may thus also be flavored by adding a flavoring, such as fruit, concentrate, or sweetener. The artificial botanical may be all-natural and edible by adding mica powder as the colorant and by adding glycerin as the flavoring.

A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier (10) that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material (12) having an outer surface; and (ii) at least one fibrous composite Insert (14) or overlay (980) having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement (e.g., having a plurality of ordered fibers). The fibrous Insert (14) or overlay (980) is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that Is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (980) and the mass of polymeric material (12) are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert or overlay to be at feast partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier (10) may be a mass of activatable material (126). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (980) may include a polymeric matrix that includes a thermoplastic epoxy.

Polymeric aerogels, articles made from the polymeric aerogels and methods of making the polymeric aerogels are provided. The aerogels are made e.g. from crosslinkable monomers such as isocyanate monomers or phenolic monomers and a filler comprising crosslinkable hydroxyl groups. The filler may be natural (e.g. wood flour) or synthetic. The aerogels and products made therefrom exhibit low thermal conductivity and are mechanically strong. Due to their physical properties, these materials are used as e.g. building envelope components, such as walls, roofs and frames, to improve the thermal performance thereof, and may be used in a variety of other applications such as sound and insulation barriers in mechanical equipment, cryogenic containers, etc.

A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier (10) that includes: (i) a mass of polymeric material (12) having an outer surface; and (ii) at least one fibrous composite insert (14) or overlay (960) having an outer surface and including at least one elongated fiber arrangement (e.g., having a plurality of ordered fibers). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (960) is envisioned to adjoin the mass of the polymeric material in a predetermined location for carrying a predetermined load that is subjected upon the predetermined location (thereby effectively providing localized reinforcement to that predetermined location). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (960) and the mass of polymeric material (12) are of compatible materials, structures or both, for allowing the fibrous insert or overlay to be at least partially joined to the mass of the polymeric material. Disposed upon at least a portion of the carrier (10) may be a mass of activatable material (126). The fibrous insert (14) or overlay (960) may include a polymeric matrix that includes a thermoplastic epoxy.

A composite material may include at least one thermoplastic resin; and from 5 to 180 parts by weight of granular shive from hemp and/or flax, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, with particles having an average particle size lower than 0.2 millimeters (mm). A method for the manufacture of a composite material may include: melting the at least one thermoplastic resin; mixing the at least one molten resin with from 5 to 180 parts by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the at least one thermoplastic resin, of granular shive from hemp and/or flax with an average particle size lower than 0.2 mm; and cooling the mixture obtained in order to form the composite material.

A molding apparatus, a cigarette filter rod and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The molding apparatus comprises a single-screw extrusion system and a cooling setting system. The single-screw extrusion system comprises a feeder and an extruder. The feeder is arranged on the extruder. The extruder comprises a cylinder. A heater is arranged outside the cylinder. A screw is arranged inside the cylinder, and a mouth mold is arranged at one end of the cylinder. The cooling setting system comprises a round tube and a cooler. The cooler (6) is arranged outside the round tube. One end of the round tube is butted with the mouth mold of the extruder; and multiple groups of grooves are formed on threads of the head of the screw.