Methods of forming cross-linked polysaccharides are disclosed in which one or more polysaccharides are dissolved in solution, gelled, modified to have a desired concentration, and subsequently irradiated. The irradiation of the gel crosslinks the polysaccharide(s) present. The disclosed techniques may be applied to various polysaccharides, including but not limited to agarose and/or hyaluronic acid.

A hydrogel structure (10) includes: a continuous phase (11) of a first hydrogel; and a dispersion phase (12) of a second hydrogel, the dispersion phase being dispersed in the continuous phase (11). A ratio of a local minimum value of a load after break to a breaking load (a local minimum value of a load after break/a breaking load) of the hydrogel structure (10) is 0.1 or more.

Pitch granules including a core made up of a first composition including at least one pitch, the composition having a penetrability at 25? C. of 0 to 45 1/10 mm, a ring-and-ball softening temperature (TBA) of 55? C. to 175? C., understanding the penetrability as measured according to standard EN 1426 and the TBA as measured according to standard EN 1427, and a layer encapsulating at least one portion of the surface of the core, the layer being made up of a coating composition including at least one anti-caking agent.

A method and a mineral wool product include a multiple of lamellae, such as a sandwich panel core. The product includes a plurality of lamellae cut from a mineral wool web, and bonded together by applying an adhesive on the surfaces of two adjacent lamellae to form a web-like product, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

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

A method of forming a hybrid physically and chemically cross-linked double-network hydrogel with highly recoverable and mechanical properties in a single-pot synthesis is provided. The method comprises the steps of combining the hydrogel precursor reactants into a single pot. The hydrogel precursor reactants include water; a polysaccharide; a methacrylate monomer; an ultraviolet initiator; and a chemical crosslinker. Next the hydrogel precursor reactants are heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of the polysaccharide and this temperature is retained until the polysaccharide is in a sol state. Then the single-pot is cooled to a temperature lower than the gelation point of the polysaccharide and this temperature is retained to form a first network. Thereafter, photo-initiated polymerization of the methacrylate monomer occurs via the ultraviolet initiator to form the second network.

The invention relates to a formaldehyde-free binder composition for mineral fibres comprising at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and at least one protein.

The invention relates to a method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements, whereby at least one of the two or more elements is a mineral wool element, said mineral wool element(s) being bound by a mineral wool binder, the method comprising the steps of providing two or more elements; applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other; curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one protein; at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and/or at least one enzyme.

The invention relates to a method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements, whereby at least one of the two or more elements is a mineral wool element, said mineral wool element(s) being bound by a mineral wool binder, the method comprising the steps of providing two or more elements; applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other; curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one protein; at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and/or at least one enzyme.

A method of bonding together surfaces of two or more elements, whereby at least one of the two or more elements is a mineral wool element, said mineral wool element(s) being bound by a mineral wool binder, comprises the steps of providing two or more elements; applying an adhesive to one or more of the surfaces to be bonded together before, during or after contacting the surfaces to be bonded together with each other, curing the adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises at least one protein; at least one phenol and/or quinone containing compound, and/or at least one enzyme.