The invention relates to a molding composed of extruded foam, wherein at least one fiber (F) is present with a fiber region (FB2) within the molding and is surrounded by the extruded foam, while a fiber region (FB1) of the fiber (F) projects from a first side of the molding and a fiber region (FB3) of the fiber (F) projects from a second side of the molding, and the extruded foam is produced by an extrusion process comprising the following steps: I) providing a polymer melt in an extruder, II) introducing at least one blowing agent into the polymer melt provided in step I) to obtain a foamable polymer melt, III) extruding the foamable polymer melt obtained in step II) from the extruder through at least one die aperture into an area at lower pressure, with expansion of the foamable polymer melt to obtain an expanded foam, and IV) calibrating the expanded foam from step III) by conducting the expanded foam through a shaping tool to obtain the extruded foam.

Provided is a polylactic-acid-containing aqueous dispersion capable of forming a transparent film at room temperature. A polylactic-acid-containing aqueous dispersion contains (1) polylactic acid; (2) at least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, dipropyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, diallyl adipate, bis(2-butoxyethyl) adipate, bis(2-methoxyethyl) adipate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, diethyl sebacate, diisopropyl sebacate, and mixtures thereof; (3) at least one dispersion stabilizer selected from the group consisting of cationic polymers, anionic polymers, polyvinyl alcohols, and non-ionic surfactants; and (4) water.

A liquid crystal polymer resin composition is provided containing a component (A) liquid crystal polymer, a component (B′) carbon fiber having a weight-average fiber length of less than 150 μm, and a component (C) carbon precursor having a volume resistivity of 10.sup.2 to 10.sup.10 Ω.Math.cm, in which a content of the component (B′) is 10 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), a content of the component (C) is 5 to 35 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the component (A), and a content of a total of the component (B) and the component (C) is 25 to 60 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the component (A).

The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymer microparticles by a spray process, wherein a polymer solution obtained by dissolving a polyester-based polymer in ethylene carbonate (hereinafter, referred to as “EC”), which is a solvent, is sprayed at a low temperature hydrocarbon or alcohol solution, thereby preparing frozen EC/polymer microparticles, the frozen EC/polymer microparticles are dissolved in a salt aqueous solution, thereby dissolving and removing EC, and the residual EC in water is removed by washing.

Embodiments of the invention relate to method and an additive for a PLA article comprising at least one acrylic impact modifier between 10 and 80 weight % of the total weight of the additive; and at least one vinyl acetate ethylene copolymer (EVA) having ≧12 Wt % vinyl acetate, the EVA between 5 and 50 weight % of the additive; and at least one PLA carrier resin between 5 and 50 weight % of the total weight of the additive.

The present invention relates to a molding made from foam, wherein at least one fiber (F) is partly within the molding, i.e. is surrounded by the foam. The two ends of the respective fibers (F) that are not surrounded by the foam thus each project from one side of the corresponding molding. The foam comprises at least two mutually bonded foam segments.

Methods may include methods of producing polyester resin composition and methods of producing a polyester resin formed article that make it possible to improve thermal resistance, and to provide the polyester resin composition and the polyester resin formed article. Methods of producing a polyester resin composition may include: a step (I-a) of obtaining a polylactic acid composition (X) containing a polylactic acid (A), pentaerythritol (C), and a silicate (D); and a step (II-a) of mixing the polylactic acid composition (X) with a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (B).

A biobased additive is provided that is both a nucleating and a reinforcing agent when added to thermoplastic polyester (e.g., biopolyesters). A composite material, which is an additive-reinforced biopolyester, was prepared and improved thermo-mechanical properties were quantified. This composite material is a new class of biobased material that offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution for packaging and other applications.

A polylactic acid formed body including a polylactic acid base material (1) and a hydrocarbon film (3) vapor-deposited on the surface of the base material by a plasma CVD method. The polylactic acid base material (1) exhibits a sharp X-ray diffraction peak in which a half-width of peak appearing in the 10°-25° wide angle X-ray measurement is not more than 1.22°, and the hydrocarbon film (3) is vapor-deposited on the surface of the polylactic acid base material (1), and includes two layers of a high CH.sub.2 layer (3a) having a ratio of CH.sub.2 per the total of CH, CH.sub.2 and CH.sub.3 of not less than 40% and a low CH.sub.2 layer (3b) formed on the high CH.sub.2 layer (3a) and having a ratio of CH.sub.2 per the total of CH, CH.sub.2 and CH.sub.3 of not more than 35%.

The present invention provides a biodegradable resin having an intrinsic viscosity of 1.0 dL/g or more, and having a loss rate of intrinsic viscosity of 10% or more after treatment at 70° C. and 85% RH for 6 hr. The present invention also provides a biodegradable resin containing 70 wt% or more of polylactic acid and having a relative biodegradation rate up to 90% or more within 12 months when the degradability in home composting at 28° C. is evaluated according to the conditions specified in ASTM D5338-15. The biodegradable resin has the characteristics of fast biodegradation speed and stable storage, has good mechanical properties, optical properties and barrier properties, can be applicable to various aspects including packaging and express transportation, and will quickly biodegrade into carbon dioxide, water and other small molecules without contamination to the environment at the end of service life. The present invention also provides a biodegradable resin film using the biodegradable resin and a product thereof, and a multilayer film containing the biodegradable resin film and a product thereof.