One aspect of the present application relates to a method of synthesizing a thermoplastic polymer. This method includes providing a depolymerized lignin product comprising monomers and oligomers and producing lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers from the depolymerized lignin product. A thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer is then formed by free radical polymerization of the lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers. The present application also relates to a branched chain thermoplastic lignin (meth)acrylate polymer which includes a chain transfer agent. The thermoplastic lignin based polymers of the present application can be used to prepare carbon fibers, and engineering thermoplastics. Mixtures of lignin (meth)acrylate monomers and oligomers are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to the field of reutilization of biomass resources, and more particularly relates to a grafting method for rice straw fiber modification. The pulverized and pretreated straw powder is first reacted with diisocyanate under ultrasonic and microwave treatment, and the resulting product is reacted with PEG to obtain the PEG grafted straw fiber polymer compound. Grafting PEG onto the straw fiber through the bridging of the diisocyanate improves the thermoplasticity of the modified rice straw fiber. The modified straw fiber of the present invention can be hot-pressed to form self-reinforced composite materials without adding additional materials, which overcomes the waste and pollution problem of traditional straw reutilization method, achieving the goal of whole straw utilization.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of contacting a composition comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, with the wood product. The invention also provides wood products comprising a polypropylene glycol, a high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, a polyether polyol having low solubility in water, or a polytetrahydrofuran, or hydrophobic polyether polyol, that have greater dimensional stability compared to an untreated wood product.

The invention relates to a method of preparing sub-micron biocarbon materials using biomass that is chemically modified with organic or inorganic agents including but not limited to acrylamide, glycine, urea, glycerol, bio-glycerol, corn syrup, succinic acid, and sodium bicarbonate. The use of foaming and heating methodologies which could be either pre or post carbonization and subsequent particle size reduction methodologies for the creation of cost-competitive sub-micron biocarbon particles and fibers for a variety of applications.

A composite material is provided that includes a polymer matrix and fiber reinforcements within the polymer matrix, the fiber reinforcements including natural fibers having nanoparticles accumulated within a structure of the natural fibers. A method of forming the composite material is also provided that includes accumulating nanoparticles into the structure of the natural fibers to create accumulated natural fibers, drying the accumulated natural fibers, and mixing the accumulated natural fibers within the polymer matrix.

A method of manufacturing a building panel with a decorative surface layer, a core and a balancing and/or protective layer, wherein the method includes applying a first layer of a first powder based mix, including wood fibres and a thermosetting binder, on a core; applying a liquid substance on the first powder based mix; drying the first powder based mix; turning the core with the dried first powder based mix such that the first powder based mix points downwards; applying a second layer on the upper part of the core; and curing the first and second layers by providing heat and pressure, wherein the first layer forms the balancing and/or protective layer and the second layer forms the decorative surface layer in the building panel.

A natural fiber polymer composite precursor pellet comprising, a thermoplastic polymer coupling agent as a binder and a natural fiber, wherein the natural fiber is a bleached chemical pulp and is comprised in an amount of at least 88 weight %, and wherein the thermoplastic polymer coupling agent is comprised in an amount of between 8 and 12 weight %, preferably between 9 and 11 weight %, based on the weight of the pellet.

The invention relates to a plant-based flexible material and a process for preparation thereof. The flexible material is useful as an alternative to leather, formed without the use of animal products. In one aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparing a plant-based flexible material, comprising the steps of: a) providing a dispersion of lignocellulosic biomass in an agueous-based solvent and further comprising one or more binders, wherein the one or more binders comprises at least one sulphated polysaccharide; b) heating the dispersion to a temperature of at least 35? C. to form a heated dispersion; and c) drying the heated dispersion to form the flexible material.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a lignocellulosic composite material, a lignocellulosic composite material that can be obtained with this method, and the use of said lignocellulosic composite material.

The present invention relates to a method of improving fire retardant properties of a substrate, the method comprising providing the substrate with a graphene-based composite, wherein the graphene-based composite comprises graphene-based material intercalated with inorganic metal hydrate.