The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of films of conductive polymers, by the technique so-called roll-to-roll, which allows to obtain freestanding films having advantageous features such as toughness, flexibility, ability to adhere to different substrates, a submicron thickness and a very high ratio surface area/thickness; the present films are suitable for use in several technological applications, in particular for the development of biosensors, and in the production of flexible electronic components with large surface, suitable for wearable devices and also intended for contacting skin.

The invention relates to a process for producing a pulverulent composition comprising at least one polymeric dispersant (PD) which comprises structural units having anionic and/or anionogenic groups and structural units having polyether side chains, and at least one polysaccharide (PS). The process here comprises the process steps: a) production of an aqueous dispersion having a viscosity of the dispersion of less than 10 000 mPa.Math.s, comprising the at least one polymeric dispersant (PD) and the at least one polysaccharide (PS) and b) spray drying of the aqueous dispersion produced in process step a). Furthermore, the use of the pulverulent composition according to the invention in inorganic binder compositions, especially as a rheological additive, is disclosed.

A process for producing a melamine-formaldehyde foam by heating and foaming an aqueous mixture M using microwave radiation, said mixture M comprising at least one melamine-formal-dehyde precondensate, at least one curative, at least one surfactant, at least one blowing agent and at least one linear polymer with a number average molecular weight M.sub.n in the range from 500 to 10.000 g/mol and at least two functional groups selected from OH, NH.sub.2 or COOH as well as a melamine-formaldehyde foam obtainable by this process and its use.

An article is described comprising a first film layer comprising polylactic acid polymer (semicrystalline polylactic acid polymer; amorphous polylactic acid polymer; or a mixture thereof); a second (e.g. polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a Tg of at least 25? C.; plasticizer. In some embodiment, the film layer further comprises inorganic pigment and/or hydrolysis stabilizer. In other embodiments, the film has a net melting endotherm, ?H.sub.nm1, of less than 10 J/g. Also described are methods of making a graphic film.

The present invention relates to self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions and methods of making and using the same. Self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions are formed by admixing a dispersion concentrate including a chemical blowing agent and a compatible carrier (liquid or molten) with a molten base hot melt adhesive composition at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent. The resolidified material is processed through a device that heats the material above the decomposition temperature of the chemical agent and cools it below such temperature before being dispensed. The device preferably includes sensors and a controller configured to prevent the material from accumulating an adverse thermal history during processing.

A polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite as disclosed comprises a polymer, nanocellulose, and lignin, wherein lignin forms a hydrophobic interface between the polymer and the nanocellulose. In some variations, a process is disclosed for producing a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material, comprising: fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin, wherein lignin deposits onto fiber surfaces or into fiber pores; mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprising cellulose fibrils and/or cellulose crystals; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; fermenting the fermentable hemicellulosic sugars to generate a monomer or monomer precursor; polymerizing the monomer to produce a polymer; and combining the polymer with the lignin-coated nanocellulose to generate a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material for use in a wide variety of products.

The present invention relates to self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions and methods of making and using the same. Self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions are formed by admixing a dispersion concentrate including a chemical blowing agent and a compatible carrier (liquid or molten) with a molten base hot melt adhesive composition at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent. The resolidified material is processed through a device that heats the material above the decomposition temperature of the chemical agent and cools it below such temperature before being dispensed. The device preferably includes sensors and a controller configured to prevent the material from accumulating an adverse thermal history during processing.

The present invention relates to a polymer film (P) containing a polyamide composition (PC) that comprises an amorphous polyamide (A) and a semicrystalline polyamide (B) and to a method for producing the polymer film (P). The present invention further relates to a method for packaging food products with the polymer film (P).

A multi-layered structure of at least a polymer base-layer and paint-based protective layer or a paste-based protective layer, the protective layer being non-intumescent, wherein the protective layer exhibits at atmospheric pressure during an increase in ambient temperature, a drop in its thermal conductivity.

Provided, among other things is a leak-resistant elastomeric barrier comprising: an elastomeric barrier comprising elastomeric polymer, having two sides, and coated on at least a portion of a first side with a highly hydrophobic coating such that the initial contact angle with water is about 130 or more, and that contact angle does not decay by more than about 10% over 40 minutes. In embodiments the highly hydrophobic coating comprises hydrophobic silica particles are disposed on a hydrophobic coating disposed on the first side, for example with a hydrophobic coating comprises that a fluorocarbon compound, a polypropylene wax, a polyethylene wax, or a mixture thereof.