The present invention provides a continuous process for solid-state expansion of a biopolymer, e.g., polylactic acid, which can be used to manufacture reduced-density thermoplastic materials with improved physical and thermal properties. By incorporating multiple stages of heating into the process as a means to regulate heat flux, unprecedented control of microstructure and crystallinity can be achieved. Thermoplastic sheets with the distinct cellular characteristics implied by the process disclosed herein were found to be thicker and stronger than materials prepared by conventional processes. Thermoforming sheets with such characteristics enabled the production of light-weight thermally-stable, compostable products that resist warping, and are thus suitable for a range of industrial applications.

The present invention relates to polyolefin resin expanded beads containing multi-layer expanded beads containing a core layer in a foamed state containing a polyolefin resin and a cover layer coated on the core layer, the cover layer containing a mixed resin of a polyolefin resin (A) and at least one resin (B) selected from a polystyrene resin and a polyester resin, and the mixed resin having a weight ratio (A/B) of the polyolefin resin (A) and the resin (B) of from 15/85 to 90/10, and a composite laminated body using an expanded beads molded body thereof, and the expanded beads molded body is excellent in solvent resistance and also excellent in adhesiveness to a thermosetting resin on the surface of the molded body, and can provide a composite laminated body excellent in productivity with a thermosetting resin.

This invention provides a finely ground biomass material used to create biomass-containing plastics having a smooth surface, while also preventing creation of unwanted color including those created by the Maillard reaction which results from a combination of sugars, protein, heat and acid or base chemicals. The present invention also provides for methods to prevent agglomeration of small particles into larger particles which can produce irregular surfaces on biomass-based plastics, including thin film plastics, especially thin film plastics less than 4 mil and other thin film plastics that can become too large to use in thin-film plastic production. For the purpose of this invention, plastic resins can be any gas or liquid hydrocarbon or fermentation-based resins.

The present invention provides a foamable resin composition excellent in terms of the dispersibility and moldability. The foamable resin composition containing: from 30 to 80 wt % of a polyolefin; from 3 to 40 wt % of a polylactic acid; from 1 to 20 wt % of a modified polyolefin containing a carbonyl group in a molecule; from 10 to 40 wt % of a layered silicate; and from 0.01 to 0.5 wt % of a filler, the polyolefin containing at least one of polypropylene and polyethylene, the filler having a density different from the density of the layered silicate by at least 0.20 g/cm.sup.3.

Disclosed herein is a porous material comprising a biopolymer functionalized with a carbon dioxide capturing moiety; where the biopolymer is in the form of a foam or an aerogel having a bulk density of 500 grams per cubic meter to 2500 grams per cubic meter. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising functionalizing a biopolymer with a carbon dioxide capturing moiety; dissolving the biopolymer in an aqueous solution to form a first solution; reducing the temperature of the first solution to below the freezing point of the aqueous solution; displacing the aqueous solution with a first solvent that has a lower surface tension than a surface tension of the aqueous solution; and drying the first solvent to produce a porous biopolymer having a bulk density of 500 grams per cubic meter to 2500 grams per cubic meter.

The present invention relates to a biodegradable resin having outstanding colouring properties, and provides a resin composition which does not give rise to problems such as reduced strength due to colouration. The composition of the present invention, suggests that a PBSAT resin is used as a biodegradable resin, and colouration is performed with same. Also, at this time, the colourant can be mixed in the form of masterbatch. In the present invention, the resin composition is used in the production of various products, in particular monofilament yarn produced via spinning and a fishing net manufactured from same is provided. Fishing nets such as the above are advantageous in that such fishing nets can be realized in various colours in accordance with customer requirements and satisfy the required strength and, after use, degrade naturally in seawater and so do not give rise to problems like environmental pollution.

Biocarbon is presented as an alternative to synthetic carbon black. Master batches having biocarbon for usage in raw plastics and/or the production of composites. Biocarbon is mainly derived from plant biomass, but other sources can be used. A method of producing the master batch: (a) pyrolyzing processed biomass in an oxygen-starved environment to produced biocarbon; (b) comminuting the biocarbon in a reduced oxygen atmosphere; (c) cooling the comminuted biocarbon; (d) mixing the cooled comminuted biocarbon with a carrier resin, thereby producing the master batch.

The present invention provides expanded polylactic acid resin beads, in which each bead is composed of a core layer that is in an expanded state and contains a crystalline polylactic acid resin, and a coating layer that coats the core layer and contains a mixed resin of an amorphous polylactic acid resin and a crystalline polyolefin resin, wherein the content of the crystalline polyolefin resin in the coating layer is 3% by weight or more and less than 50% by weight. The expanded polylactic acid resin beads can stably produce a molded article of expanded polylactic acid resin beads excellent in fusibility of the expanded polylactic acid resin beads therein and also excellent in solvent resistance.

The present invention relates to polyolefin resin expanded beads containing multi-layer expanded beads containing a core layer in a foamed state containing a polyolefin resin and a cover layer coated on the core layer, the cover layer containing a mixed resin of a polyolefin resin (A) and at least one resin (B) selected from a polystyrene resin and a polyester resin, and the mixed resin having a weight ratio (A/B) of the polyolefin resin (A) and the resin (B) of from 15/85 to 90/10, and a composite laminated body using an expanded beads molded body thereof, and the expanded beads molded body is excellent in solvent resistance and also excellent in adhesiveness to a thermosetting resin on the surface of the molded body, and can provide a composite laminated body excellent in productivity with a thermosetting resin.

The present application concerns a coated film comprising a substantially biodegradable substrate having a biodegradable coating thereon at a coat weight of not more than 12 gsm, as well as useful articles sealed inside a package at least partly comprising such a film, and also a process for producing a coated film comprising providing a substantially biodegradable film substrate and applying a biodegradable coating to the substrate at a coat weight of less than 12 gsm by means of a hot melt coating step.