The invention relates to biodegradable polymer packaging films composed of a blend of different biodegradable polymers. These films provide a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic films, offering similar mechanical strength and enhanced biodegradability. The invention outlines the composition, manufacturing process, properties, and applications of the biodegradable films, which decompose under natural environmental conditions, reducing environmental pollution and contributing to a more sustainable packaging solution.

A fire-protecting insulation product has air-laid mineral wool fibres and a binder. The binder is the result of curing a binder composition comprising at least one hydrocolloid. The product further comprises a particulate endothermic material.

The present invention relates to biodegradable and compostable granules consisting of natural ingredients comprising starch and thickening and gelling agents and does not comprise bioplastics. According to the invention, the granules are used for producing biodegradable and preferably compostable products and articles of daily use. The present invention also relates to methods for producing the granules according to the invention, as well as methods for producing different products by using the granules according to the invention.

An example method of forming a biodegradable component includes extruding a mixture of biodegradable material and water through a die. The method further includes dividing the extruded mixture to form a plurality of biodegradable pellets. The method further includes forming the plurality of biodegradable pellets into a component. The water acts as a binding agent to bind the plurality of biodegradable pellets to one another.

A composite material is formed by combining an expandable polymer having a charge with another polymer having an opposite charge to produce. In particular, the composite material can be prepared by combining the polymers with a medium such as and water, and expanding the mixture using a treatment that expands the mixture to produce, for example, insoluble porous foam-like composite.

The invention relates to a mineral wool product comprising mineral fibers bonded by a cured binder wherein the binder in its uncured state comprises at least one protein and at least one enzyme.

A biotextile for a plant-based leather product comprises a partially or fully biodegradable composite including: a polymer matrix comprising a bio-based polymer, and a cellulosic material dispersed in the polymer matrix. At least one property of the composite is sufficient to meet an industrial standard for leather or vinyl. A method of making the composite may include heating and mixing a formulation comprising bio-based polymer, a plasticizer, and a cellulosic material to form a molten mixture, extruding the molten mixture to form an extruded body having a predetermined shape, and cooling the extruded body to form a composite having the predetermined shape, which may be a sheet, rod, pellet, or granule. The composite includes a polymer matrix comprising the bio-based polymer with the cellulosic material dispersed therein. A plant-based feedstock material comprising the composite may be used as a raw material for injection molding or 3D printing.

A foam precursor, a foam, and methods for making the foam precursor and the foam is described. The foam precursor includes unmodified starch, polybutylene adipate-co-therephthalate (PBAT), and water. A PBAT weight percent representative of the PBAT included in the foam precursor is from 10% to 40%. A starch weight percent representative of the unmodified starch included in the foam precursor is greater than the PBAT weight percent. A water weight percent representative of the water included in the foam precursor is 20% or less. The PBAT weight percent is greater than the water weight percent. A density of the foam precursor is from 400 kg/m.sup.3 to 1500 kg/m.sup.3.

A starch slurry includes a starch in an amount of between approximately 25 to 98 weight percent, a plasticizer in an amount of between approximately 3 to 30 weight percent, and water in an amount of between approximately 5 to 60 weight percent. The starch slurry can have a bulk density of between approximately 10 to 100 pounds per cubic foot. The starch slurry can be used for generating insulation products or printing a starch foam.

A pellet includes a starch in an amount of between approximately 55 to 98 weight percent, a plasticizer in an amount of between approximately 2 to 25 weight percent, water in an amount of between approximately 1 to 40 weight percent, and one or more agents in an amount between approximately 1 to 10 weight percent. The pellet may have a density of between approximately 20 to 65 pounds per cubic foot.