The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture layered structures. In one embodiment, a foaming process may produce layered structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In another embodiment, a foaming process may produce deep draw structures in reduced density plastics with or without integral skins. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may utilize additives, blends, or fillers, for example. In yet another embodiment, a foaming process may involve saturating a semi-crystalline polymer such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) with high levels of gas, and then heating, which may produce a reduced density plastic having high levels of crystallinity. These processes may be used to generate products with layered structures.

Multilayer thin film devices that include a bioactive agent for elution to the surrounding tissue upon administration to a subject are provided. The multilayer thin film devices are useful as medical devices, such as ocular devices. Also provided are methods and kits for localized delivery of a bioactive agent to a tissue of a subject, and methods of preparing the subject devices. The multilayer thin film medical device includes a first layer, a bioactive agent and a second layer. The first and the second layers may be porous or non-porous. The devices have a furled structure, suitable for administration to a subject.

The invention describes the use of magnetic platelet particles as a multifunctional additive to various formulations of polyolefin plastic films usable to fabricate packaging and to provide said packaging with similar barrier properties as aluminium metallizations or other gas barriers, with the added benefit of allowing separation and recovery of the packaging by magnetic means. Such novel additives, films and packaging are environmentally friendly and food-safe, so that after use they can be either recovered for reuse, composted, or dumped in the environment to biodegrade. The invention comprises various types of films comprising the additive and methods to improve the properties of said films.

A method and system are used to enhance a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles. The method of manufacturing a marker includes enhancing a marker material to include a plurality of air bubbles using at least a first EFD and a second EFD. The method may include cycling repeatedly through a transfer process between a first container and a second container. A system for enhancing a marker material includes a transfer apparatus configured to receive a marker material and a selected amount of air. The system comprises a first EFD coupled to a first end of the transfer apparatus and a second EFD coupled to a second end of the transfer apparatus.

Disclosed is a biodegradable sheet comprising at least one layer which is a direct contact layer, intended to successfully contact materials, such as liquids, while maintaining the mechanical properties of the sheet and to extend the biodegradable sheet shelf life. The direct contact layer may comprise a hydrophobic polymer selected from poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), Polydioxanone (PDO) polyglycolic acid (PGA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene succinate adipate (PBSA), poly lactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terphtalate (PBAT), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), such as polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerates (PHV), and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers (PHBV) or any mixture thereof. The biodegradable sheet may further comprise surface treated nanoclay particles, PVOH grafted with a crosslinker and PBS or PBSA The first hydrophobic polymer is present in said at least one layer in an amount of about 30% w/w.

A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO.sub.3, an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.

This invention relates to biodegradable films characterised by high resistance to processes of the photodegradative type, mainly activated by the ultraviolet component of sunlight, which are particularly suitable for use in the mulch film sector. These films comprise a composition containing at least one polyphenol of plant origin.

An algae-based thermoplastic composition is provided that includes a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moisture content of less than or equal to 15% by weight and having a particle d99 of up to 200 microns. The dried algae biomass is at least 5% by weight of the thermoplastic composition. The composition includes a biodegradable resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250 C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min.

A bio-degradable plant pot having calcium carbonate. And a method for preparing a rooting plug. The method calls for mixing a composition having (i) 0.2%-10% w/w bio-degradable polymer and (ii) an organic non-hydroxylic solvent with plug mix, thereby preparing a rooting plug.