A structural reinforcement for an article including a carrier (10) that includes: (t) 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.

A low-carbon insulative foam board includes an agricultural product mixed with petroleum-derived polymer foam. The foam board exhibits insulation, durability, and mechanical properties substantially similar to a foam board without the mixed agricultural product. In an embodiment, a polyisocyanurate board includes bubble walls carrying milled biomass, which displaces a portion of the polyisocyanurate.

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite product comprising organic natural fiber material and matrix material, wherein the method comprises mixing the organic natural fiber material with the matrix material in a primary mixing stage to form a mixture. The primary mixing stage comprises a contacting step in which the organic natural fiber material comes in contact with the matrix material that is at least partly in a form of melt, and bulk density of the organic natural fiber material is less than 500 kg/m.sup.3. The method further comprises forming a composite product comprising the mixture. Further, the invention relates to a composite product, a use of the composite product, and a system for manufacturing a composite product.

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 composite material for producing an extrudate may include: PVC and granules of cercal chaff. The granules of cereal chaff may include spelt, hulls, granules, seed coats and/or stem parts. The cereal may be Pooideae and/or Panicoideae and/or Andropogonoide-ae.

A plastic composite component for a motor vehicle has a molded body including a plastic compound that contains natural particles. At least some of the natural particles are dyed in a shade of color different from a natural color of the natural particles, and the plastic compound is designed such that the particles are visible. Also disclosed is a motor vehicle including a plastic composite component of this type.

Clinical waste container (100) comprising a lower basket part (110) and an upper lid part (120), comprising a cylindrical part (121) having an upper lid opening (122); and a lid cap part (130), arranged to be fastened to said lid part so as to cover said lid opening, wherein the lid part and the lid cap part each comprise cooperating snap-lock means (123, 133), comprising several separated elongated protrusions (133a,133b), together defining a broken circle. The lid part comprises at a lower end (124) a bend (125) of at least 60, with an inner radius (R1) of at the most 5 mm and an outer radius (R2) of at the most 5 mm, defining a local material thickness increase of at least 25%. The lid part and the lid cap part comprise at least 30% by volume wooden fibres. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a container.