Described is an aqueous one-component coating composition comprising dispersed polyurethane and phyllosilicate. The polyurethane carries acid groups which are at least partially neutralized with a hydrophilic base selected from inorganic bases and organic mono-amines. The hydrophilic base has a water solubility at 20° C. of at least 150 g/l, preferably of at least 200 g/l. The composition can be used for providing oxygen barrier properties to a polymer film.

It is provided a phyllosilicate having a layered structure in the form of platelets and comprising an intercalating agent between the platelets, wherein the intercalating agent is a polyester of a molecular weight of 274 to 30,000 g/mol, and wherein the phyllosilicate is other than a phyllosilicate modified through ionic interchange. It is also provides a polymer nanocomposite comprising a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer an the phyllosilicate mentioned above, as well as preparation processes for the preparation of the intercalated phyllosilicate and the PET nanocomposite. The PET nanocomposite is particularly useful for packaging, particularly for food and drink packaging.

A process for the preparation of a coated substrate is described, in which a substrate is coated with a coating mixture containing a polymer and an amino acid-modified layered double hydroxide. The process of the invention is markedly simpler than conventional techniques for affording coated substrates having reduced permeability to degradative gases. The coated substrates obtainable by the process are particularly useful in packaging applications, notably in the food industry.

A film for use in a packaging structure, comprising a coating on the film surface which comprises a binder and a particulate protuberant component able to remove a volatile organic compound from an environment in contact with the film in the packaging structure. Also provided is a packaging structure comprising such a film and a package which comprises the packaging structure.

The present invention relates to processes for making compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives and polymer compositions that comprise compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives. The invention also relates to compositions produced by these processes, and articles formed from polymer compositions of this invention. The barrier additives provide passive barriers to gas molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide minimizing transit of such molecules through sidewalls of polymer articles containing the barrier additives.

A resin composition contains a polyester polyol and a smectite with partially immobilized lithium.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a hydrophobically modified clay, wherein the clay modifying agent corresponds to a quaternary ammonium based compound. The present invention further relates to a hydrophobically modified clay obtainable by such a method and to a suspension comprising such a clay, as well to the use of such a hydrophobically modified clay and of a suspension comprising such a hydrophobically modified clay. Furthermore, the present invention is also directed to a polymeric composition comprising a hydrophobically modified clay and/or a suspension comprising a hydrophobically modified clay.

The present invention relates to processes for making compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives and polymer compositions that comprise compatibilized high aspect ratio barrier additives. The invention also relates to compositions produced by these processes, and articles formed from polymer compositions of this invention. The barrier additives provide passive barriers to gas molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide minimizing transit of such molecules through sidewalls of polymer articles containing the barrier additives.

A rubber composition for a hollow ball includes a base rubber, an inorganic filler composed of a large number of flat particles, and a carbon-based filler. As to the carbon-based filler, a degree of flatness DLc obtained by dividing an average particle diameter D.sub.50.sup.c (m) by an average thickness Tc (m) is not less than 50. A weight ratio Mc/Mi is not less than 0.01 and not greater than 1.00. The rubber composition is obtained by a production method including: a first step of mixing the base rubber and the carbon-based filler to obtain a master batch; and a second step of adding the large number of flat particles that form the inorganic filler, to the master batch to orient the large number of flat particles. The hollow ball 2 includes a core 4 formed from the rubber composition.

The invention provides a compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl, monosubstituted aryl and polysubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, monosubstituted heteroaryl and polysubstituted heteroaryl; R is an alkylene radical having 2-20 carbon atoms; and n=1-20. The compounds of the invention are used with polymer resins to enhance their gas barrier properties.