In one aspect, the invention provides a substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material including starch and hydrophobically modified layered silicate clay. In another aspect, the invention provides packaging made from material including the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above. The nanocomposite material has improved mechanical and rheological properties and reduced sensitivity to moisture in that the rates of moisture update and/or loss are reduced. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above, including a step of mixing the starch in the form of an aqueous gel with the hydrophobic clay in a melt mixing device. In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material, including the steps of mixing the starch with the hydrophobic clay to form a masterbatch (hereinafter “the masterbatch process”) and mixing the masterbatch with further starch.

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 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.

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.

An organic fiber-reinforced resin formed body that contains a resin and a cellulose fiber, wherein the resin formed body has a density of 0.65 g/cm.sup.3 or less, and a method for producing the same.

A process to form a “functionalized ethylene-based polymer” from a first composition comprising an ethylene-based polymer and at least one polar compound, and at least one peroxide, said process comprising at least the following: a) thermally treating the first composition, in at least one extruder comprising at least one barrel, to form the functionalized ethylene-based polymer; b) extruding the functionalized ethylene-based polymer, in melt form, to form an extrudate; c) cooling the extrudate; and d) pelletizing the extrudate; and wherein the “efficiency of the peroxide consumption, after the thermal treatment, is ≥91 wt % within the at least one extruder; and wherein the “normalized feed rate” at which the process is nm is ≥0.0018 (lbs/hr)/(mm).sup.3; and wherein, for step c), after the extrudate exits the extruder, and before the extrudate is pelletized, the extrudate is cooled in a cooling medium to a pelletization temperature, T.sub.pel in ° C.), ≤ the crystallization temperature T.sub.c (in ° C.) of the functionalized ethylene-based polymer.

A carbon fiber-reinforced resin molded body of the present invention derives from kneaded materials of a thermoplastic resin and a carbon fiber and includes at least a three-dimensional complex shaped region and a substantially flat plate-shaped region arranged in a profile direction. Fluidity of the kneaded materials at predetermined temperature is such that fluidity of the kneaded material forming the substantially flat plate-shaped region is lower than fluidity of the kneaded material forming the three-dimensional complex shaped region, which makes it unlikely to cause defects in ribs, posses, and other portions. Thus, a carbon fiber-reinforced resin molded body with low cost and high strength can be provided.

The present invention relates to a pellet of a liquid crystal polyester resin composition, including a liquid crystal polyester resin (A) and an inorganic filler (B), in which the pellet has voids with a sphere equivalent diameter of 10 μm to 1000 μm, an abundance ratio of voids having a sphere equivalent diameter of less than 400 μm in a total amount of the voids is in a range of 40% to 90%, and an average number of the voids in one pellet having a length of 1 mm to 5 mm and a maximum diameter of 1 mm to 3 mm is in a range of 4 to 9.

The present invention relates to a pellet of a liquid crystal polyester resin composition, including a liquid crystal polyester resin (A) and an inorganic filler (B), in which the pellet has voids with a sphere equivalent diameter of 10 μm to 1000 μm, an abundance ratio of voids having a sphere equivalent diameter of less than 400 μm in a total amount of the voids is in a range of 40% to 90%, and an average number of the voids in one pellet having a length of 1 mm to 5 mm and a maximum diameter of 1 mm to 3 mm is in a range of 4 to 9.