The present disclosure relates to a modified starch composition. Said modified starch composition comprises starch and a compatibilizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol, glycerin, sorbitol and a combination thereof in a w/w ratio of 2:1 to 4:1, wherein the modified starch composition has a solubility index of less than 15% in water at a temperature of about 80? C., and wherein the thermogravimetric analysis of the modified starch composition shows a characteristic peak at a temperature in the range of 120? C. to 180? C.

A processing system for producing starch based expanded products useful as packing material for shipping, packaging and insulating applications. In a first step, dense pellets or granules are formed from starch and a plasticizing agent such as polyvinyl alcohol. The starch in the pellets is generally formed, for example with an extruder, into a thermoplastic or thermosetting form for further processing. The pellets generally have an individual density of at least about 70 lbs./cubic foot and a small size for convenient delivery for the second processing step. The second process step is based on the expanding of the material from an extruder with water and using a dwell time. The process is designed such that a less expensive single screw extruder is suitable for extruding the expanded material. The starch based pellets are convenient for shipping closer to the end use location.

The invention provides articles and methods for making such articles including a substrate coated on at least one region thereof with a layer of nanocomposites nano-cellulose materials and nanoparticles.

The invention relates to a formaldehyde-free binder composition for mineral fibres comprising at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and at least one protein.

The invention relates to a method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements, whereby at least one of the two or more elements is a mineral wool element, said mineral wool element(s) being bound by a mineral wool binder, the method comprising the steps of providing two or more elements; applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other; curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one protein; at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and/or at least one enzyme.

The present invention relates to the use of an amine compound comprising at least one, preferably at least two amine functions, wherein the amine functions are primary or secondary amines, to reduce the level of furfural and/or hydroxymethylfurfural in a carbohydrate-based binder or binder composition and/or escaping in the course of preparation, cross-linking and/or curing of carbohydrate-based binders. Preferably, the carbohydrate-based binder is obtained from a carbohydrate-based binder composition comprising a carbohydrate component and a cross-linker and possibly reaction product of carbohydrate component and cross-linker, wherein the cross-linker is selected from ammonium salts of inorganic acid, carboxylic acids, salts, ester or anhydride derivatives thereof, and/or combinations thereof.

A processing system for producing starch based expanded products useful as packing material for shipping, packaging and insulating applications. Generally, two processing steps for forming materials are involved. In a first step, dense pellets or granules are formed from starch and a plasticizing agent, such as a plasticizing polymer, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. The starch in the pellets is generally formed, for example with an extruder, into a thermoplastic or thermosetting form for further processing. The pellets generally have an individual density of at least about 70 lbs./cubic foot and a small size for convenient delivery for the second processing step. The second process step is based on the expanding of the material from an extruder with water as the expansion agent in which the dwell time in the extruder is short. The process is designed such that a less expensive single screw extruder is suitable for extruding the expanded material. The starch based pellets are convenient for shipping closer to the end use location.

Provided herein are water-soluble films comprising a water soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and high content of water-soluble starch, and related water-soluble film forming solutions, articles made therefrom e.g., pouches or packets, and methods of preparation and use of same.

Making a MAX phase material having a composition represented by V.sub.2PC includes combining a transition metal component, a phosphorus component, and a carbon component to yield a mixture, heating the mixture to yield a gel, and heating the gel to yield the MAX phase material. wherein the MAX material has a composition represented by V.sub.2PC. The transition metal component includes vanadium, the phosphorus component includes phosphoric acid, and the carbon component includes an organic compound. The MAX phase material can be in the form of a film, microsphere, or microwire.

The present invention relates to coated particles in which vegetable wax is provided on the surface of starch particles. The coated particles have an average particle diameter d.sub.1 of 0.5 to 20 ?m and a maximum particle diameter d.sub.2 being less than 30 ?m and less than 4.0 times the average particle diameter d.sub.1. The vegetable wax is contained in an amount of 0.5 to 10.0 wt % in the coated particles. Accordingly, particles having excellent feel characteristics and water repellency can be achieved with a natural material having excellent biodegradability. A method for producing coated particles includes: a step of preparing a dispersion that contains 1 to 20 wt % of starch particles; a step of adding vegetable wax to the dispersion and heating and cooling the mixture to precipitate the vegetable wax on the surface of the starch particles; and a step of subjecting this dispersion to solid-liquid separation to obtain coated particles as a solid.