Biodegradable pellet compositions comprising: a starch at about 30% to about 80% by weight of the composition, a plasticizer at about 2% to about 30% by weight of the composition; a flexibility agent at about 10% to about 40% by weight; a binder at about 3% to about 13% by weight of the composition; a hydrophobic agent at about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition; and an emulsifier at about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the composition. The compositions further comprise a defoaming agent where a biodegradable foam pellet is the end product. The compositions may optionally include a plant fiber.

A biodegradable hydrogel is disclosed for delivering aqueous bait to control pest ants. The biodegradable hydrogel includes a natural polymer of alginate cross-linked with calcium ions. A method of forming a biodegradable hydrogel is disclosed for delivering aqueous bait to control pest ants, the method includes ionotropically cross-linking sodium alginate with calcium ions.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a molding made from blowing agent-containing foam comprising at least one fiber (F), wherein the at least one fiber (F) is partially introduced into the blowing agent-containing foam. The two ends of the respective fiber (F) that are not surrounded by the blowing agent-containing foam thus project from one side of the corresponding molding. The present invention also provides the molding as such. The present invention further provides a panel comprising at least one such molding, produced by the process according to the invention, and at least one further layer (S1). The present invention also provides for the production of the panels of the invention and for the use thereof, for example as a rotor blade in wind turbines.

Disclosed, among other things, are ways to manufacture reduced density thermoplastics using rapid solid-state foaming and machines useful for the saturation of plastic. In one 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. In another 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.

A biodegradable container made from plant-based plastic that holds, in a preferred embodiment, one to two ounces of a gel-like or otherwise viscous liquid for immediate nutrition. Once opened and used, the container can be safely disposed of on the ground where it will be broken down by natural factors like rain over several days.

Provided is a method with which a biodegradable polyester film containing polyhydroxyalkanoate can be stably produced by film blowing under practical processing conditions. A method for producing a biodegradable polyester film containing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester (A) and a fatty acid amide (B) by film blowing, the biodegradable aliphatic polyester (A) containing polyhydroxyalkanoate, the method including: a step (I) of dry-blending the biodegradable aliphatic polyester (A) with a masterbatch containing the fatty acid amide (B) and a base material resin; and a step (II) of subjecting the mixture obtained in the step (I) to film blowing.

The invention relates to a biodegradable polyester mixture comprising: i) 71 to 91 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester I constructed from: a-1) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C.sub.9-C.sub.16 dicarboxylic acid or of a C.sub.9-C.sub.16 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-1) 30 to 60 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of terephthalic acid or of a terephthalic acid derivative; c-1) 98 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of a C.sub.3-C.sub.6 diol; d-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an at least trihydric alcohol; e-1) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a to e, of a chain extender, and ii) 9 to 29 wt %, based on the total weight of components i and ii, of a polyester II constructed from: a-2) 40 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an aliphatic C.sub.4-C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acid or of a C.sub.4-C.sub.6 dicarboxylic acid derivative; b-2) 30 to 60 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of terephthalic acid or of a terephthalic acid derivative; c-2) 98 to 100 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of a C.sub.3-C.sub.6 diol; d-2) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a and b, of an at least trihydric alcohol; e-2) 0 to 2 wt %, based on the total weight of components a to e, of a chain extender.

The present invention describes compostable or biobased foams that are useful for fabricating foamed articles and methods for producing the same. The foams are produced using a compound comprising a compostable or biobased polyester and a blowing agent. Additives including plasticizers and chain extenders are optionally included in the compostable or biobased composition. These foams can be produced using conventional melt processing techniques, such as single and twin-screw extrusion processes. In one embodiment, foamed strand profiles are cooled and cut using conventional strand pelletizing equipment. In another embodiment, foamed beads are produced by cutting the foamed strand at the face of the extrusion die and the foamed bead or strand is subsequently cooled. The resulting compostable or biobased foamed bead has a specific gravity less than 0.15 g/cm.sup.3 and the foam is compostable, as determined by ASTM D6400.

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.

Spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields are proposed, which granules have a polymer matrix with a percentage between 10% by mass and 100% by mass of at least one biodegradable polymer and at least one filler from the group of natural fillers, embedded in the polymer matrix with the at least one biodegradable polymer. The invention provides for the spreadable granules to have at least one filler from the group including comminuted fruit kernels. In addition, the invention relates to the use of such spreadable granules as infill granules for grass and artificial turf fields, as a spacer material for the storage of construction materials, such as, e.g., floor covering materials, and as grit for road maintenance in winter.