The present invention provides an efficient and cost-effective process to recover highly purified PHA homopolymers and copolymers, producing novel sequestered amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer (SAPP) materials derived from cellular biomass that are crystal competent. Such resulting materials (e.g., melt-derived solids and crystalline agglomerates), as well as methods of production of the sequestered amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate polymer (SAPP) materials and subsequent processing, demonstrate cost-effective production of PHA polymer at commercial scale, which is heretofore not been achievable. Moreover, the methods and materials produced make feasible the long-awaited achievement in the industry for competitive commercialization of PHA homopolymers and copolymers from cellular biomass.

The invention discloses a synthesis method and device for rapidly producing lactide at high yield. The method comprises: adding a single component of lactic acid or two components of lactic acid and catalyst, passing the mixture through a mixer to enter an oligomer preparation system, increasing a residence time through bottom circulation, synthesizing oligomeric lactic acid, and passing a gas-phase component through a rectification system. With the adoption of the device, the lactide is capable of being efficiently synthesized, crude lactide with a yield of 94% to 98% is capable of being obtained.

The invention relates to a polymer composition based on thermoplastic copolyester elastomer comprising: —from 90% to 70% by weight of the thermoplastic copolyester elastomer containing ester and ether bonds; —from 5% to 25% by weight of one or more saturated esters with a molecular weight between about 200 and 1,000, and preferably between 300 and 380; —from 2 to 10% by weight of expanding additives. This invention also covers a manufactured article obtained by injection moulding a predefined amount of the polymer composition according to this invention, as well as a production process of such polymer composition.

The invention relates to a polymer composition based on thermoplastic copolyester elastomer comprising: —from 90% to 70% by weight of the thermoplastic copolyester elastomer containing ester and ether bonds; —from 5% to 25% by weight of one or more saturated esters with a molecular weight between about 200 and 1,000, and preferably between 300 and 380; —from 2 to 10% by weight of expanding additives. This invention also covers a manufactured article obtained by injection moulding a predefined amount of the polymer composition according to this invention, as well as a production process of such polymer composition.

Processes and apparatuses for producing polymer particles with a solid state polycondensation reactor and an underwater pelletization unit. The apparatuses use a pre-conditioning zone to adjust a temperature, crystallization in addition to dust, acetaldehyde and water content of the particles from a crystallization bin. Various inert gas streams can be provided from a purification unit to remove dust, acetaldehyde, water and adjust temperature and crystallinity of the particles, as also move the particles. The precondition zones have stages that allow for the particles to accurately achieve the desired SSP reactor inlet conditions

The present invention relates to a polymer composition for the production of shaped objects via selective sintering wherein the polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene naphthalate), poly(ethylene furanoate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate), or poly(hydroxyl butyrate), wherein 10.0 wt % of the thermoplastic polyester has been subjected to a thermal treatment. Such polymer composition allows for the production of an article having a continuous use temperature of 100 C., and results in a low change of molecular weight during exposure to selective sintering powder processing temperatures. Further, such polymer composition allows for a significant reduction of the waste material generated during selective sintering as the unsintered material does not have to be disposed of as waste but may be used again fully, or blended with virgin material of the polymer composition and re-used, in a further selective sintering process.

The present invention relates to a polymer composition for the production of shaped objects via selective sintering wherein the polymer composition comprises a thermoplastic polyester selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyethylene naphthalate), poly(ethylene furanoate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene succinate), or poly(hydroxyl butyrate), wherein 10.0 wt % of the thermoplastic polyester has been subjected to a thermal treatment. Such polymer composition allows for the production of an article having a continuous use temperature of 100 C., and results in a low change of molecular weight during exposure to selective sintering powder processing temperatures. Further, such polymer composition allows for a significant reduction of the waste material generated during selective sintering as the unsintered material does not have to be disposed of as waste but may be used again fully, or blended with virgin material of the polymer composition and re-used, in a further selective sintering process.

Bellows, for example, a roll bellows and a folding bellows, can be produced that can be used at higher temperatures such as those prevailing in modern articulated constructions, using a mixture comprising at least one thermoplastic elastomer selected from the group of copolysters with a hard segment and a soft segment, wherein in a first step the at least one thermoplastic elastomer is mixed with approximately 0.8 wt. % to approximately 5 wt. % triallyl isocyanurate, based on the total amount of the mixture; in a second step the bellows is produced; and in a third step, the bellows is exposed to an ionizing irradiation in a range from approximately 140 kGy to approximately 350 kGy.

Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to building material including particles of a polymer in an irradiated form, a cement including calcium oxide, and at least one additive including silicon dioxide. In cement paste formed from a mixture of these components, the polymer in the irradiated form may decrease porosity as compared to porosity of cement paste formed without the polymer, and a combination of the silicon dioxide and the calcium oxide may form high-density phases in the cement paste. With these characteristics, such cement paste may exhibit at least the same compressive strength as cement paste formed from the cement by itself. Thus, in certain instances, the particles of the polymer may displace a portion of the cement in a manner that maintains compressive strength while facilitating reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with cement paste formation.

Devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are generally directed to building material including particles of a polymer in an irradiated form, a cement including calcium oxide, and at least one additive including silicon dioxide. In cement paste formed from a mixture of these components, the polymer in the irradiated form may decrease porosity as compared to porosity of cement paste formed without the polymer, and a combination of the silicon dioxide and the calcium oxide may form high-density phases in the cement paste. With these characteristics, such cement paste may exhibit at least the same compressive strength as cement paste formed from the cement by itself. Thus, in certain instances, the particles of the polymer may displace a portion of the cement in a manner that maintains compressive strength while facilitating reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with cement paste formation.