Polylactide (PLA) parts can be crystallized via two procedures. In the first procedure, i.e. a 2-step post-mold annealing process, the complete crystallization of PLA parts can be done after molding in a secondary operation called as post-mold annealing to make higher heat-resistant PLA parts. There are limitations to this 2-step operation, namely, a) warpage of parts with complex geometries, and b) scaling up higher production volume times. In the second procedure, i.e. 1-step in-mold annealing process, the complete crystallization of PLA parts can be done in the mold itself by holding the temperature of the mold at the crystallization temperature of PLA which is about 100° C. The 1-step in-mold annealing process using a masterbatch blended with neat PLA results in a highly crystalline article produced in a significantly lower cycle time.

A non-fibrous film of which the composition includes a collagen and a polyester polymer is provided. A content of the polyester polymer in the non-fibrous film is 1-60 wt %. Moreover, the non-fibrous film has a swelling rate of 1-200 μm/hour or a swelling proportion per unit time of 0.1-2%/hour in an aqueous liquid.

A biodegradable and/or compostable device is formed of a plant-based biopolymer in a range of 50 to 80% by volume and a polylactic acid (PLA) in a range of 10 to 30% by volume.

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, ΔH.sub.nm1, of less than 10 J/g. Also described are methods of making a graphic film.

Disclosed are aliphatic-aromatic biodegradable polyesters obtained from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids comprising azelaic acid, sebacic acid, suberic acid, brassylic acid and their esters; polyfunctional aromatic acids of renewable origin and particularly 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid, and diols, such as 1,2-ethanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-haxanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, propylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, dianhydrosorbitol, dianhydromannitol, dianhydroiditol, cyclohexanediol, cyclohexane-methanediol, aromatic diols such as phenols, and furan diol. Also disclosed are blends of the polyesters with other biodegradable polymers of either natural or synthetic origin. The polyesters have properties and viscosity values that make them suitable, after adjusting their molecular weight, for use in numerous practical applications such as films, injection molded products, extrusion coatings, fibers, foams, thermoformed products, extruded profiles and sheets, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, rotomolding, stretch blow molding.

A liquid crystalline polymer composition for foam molding using a supercritical fluid as a foaming agent. The liquid crystalline polymer composition includes a liquid crystalline polymer and a scale-like inorganic filler, in which a content of the scale-like inorganic filler is 1 part by mass or more and 20 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the liquid crystalline polymer composition.

A masterbatch is disclosed, along with associated methods, and biodegradable filaments, fibers, yarns and fabrics. The masterbatch includes 0.2 to 5 mass % CaCO.sub.3, an aliphatic polyester with a repeat unit having from two to six carbons in the chain between ester groups, with the proviso that the 2 to 6 carbons in the chain do not include side chain carbons, and a carrier polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, nylon, other thermoplastic polymers, and combinations thereof.

Expanded poly(lactide) (PLA) beads are made by pressurizing PLA beads with carbon dioxide at approximately room temperature, heating the beads under pressure to 90 to 160 C to saturate and partially crystallize the beads, and then depressurizing and cooling the beads. The PLA beads contain a blend of PLLA and PDLA in certain ratios. The beads are useful for making expanded bead foam.

The present invention relates to a breathable film comprising at least one biodegradable polymer, a process for producing the breathable film, the use of a surface-treated filler material product as filler in the breathable film, an article comprising the breathable film as well as the use of the breathable film in hygienic applications, medical applications, healthcare applications, filtration materials, geotextile products, agricultural applications, horticultural applications, clothing, footwear products, baggage products, household applications, industrial applications, packaging applications, building applications, or construction.

A resin composition containing a liquid crystal polymer (A) and a predetermined polyimide resin (B), wherein the liquid crystal polymer (A) contains at least one repeating structural unit selected from the group consisting of repeating structural units represented by the following formulas (I) to (IV), and a molded article containing the same:

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wherein a, b, and c represent an average number of repeating structural units.