A water-soluble film includes a polyvinyl alcohol resin (A) as a main component, wherein the ratio (X.sub.TD/X.sub.MD) of a degree of elongation (X.sub.TD) in the transverse direction (TD) of the water-soluble film to a degree of elongation (X.sub.MD) in the machine direction (MD) thereof when the water-soluble film is floated on the surface of water at 20° C. for 60 seconds is from 1.05 to 1.5. The water-soluble film exhibits reduced curling, exhibits reduced positional shift, and shows satisfactory sealability while forming a package.

A water-soluble film includes a polyvinyl alcohol resin (A) as a main component, wherein the ratio (X.sub.TD/X.sub.MD) of a degree of elongation (X.sub.TD) in the transverse direction (TD) of the water-soluble film to a degree of elongation (X.sub.MD) in the machine direction (MD) thereof when the water-soluble film is floated on the surface of water at 20° C. for 60 seconds is from 1.05 to 1.5. The water-soluble film exhibits reduced curling, exhibits reduced positional shift, and shows satisfactory sealability while forming a package.

A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.

A biodegradable cellulose fiber-based substrate, at least one side of which is coated with a release coating including: a) at least one water-soluble polymer (WSP) containing hydroxyl groups, and b) at least one lactone substituted with at least one linear or branched and/or cyclic C.sub.8-C.sub.30 hydrocarbon chain which may contain heteroatoms. The biodegradable substrate is certified biodegradable in accordance with EN 13432. A method of production thereof is also disclosed.

Thermoplastic starch materials and methods of making the same are provided. The methods involve mixing a starch material, plasticizer and water in a low-shear mixer under conditions that will result in substantial gelatinization of the starch material. The melt formed within the mixer is discharged into an extruder for final processing. The methods prevent degradation of the starch material thereby resulting in the formation of a thermoplastic starch material having high strength, due at least in part to the preservation of the molecular weight characteristics of the starch, and improved elasticity due the ability to use higher water contents than conventional processes.

Thermoplastic starch materials and methods of making the same are provided. The methods involve mixing a starch material, plasticizer and water in a low-shear mixer under conditions that will result in substantial gelatinization of the starch material. The melt formed within the mixer is discharged into an extruder for final processing. The methods prevent degradation of the starch material thereby resulting in the formation of a thermoplastic starch material having high strength, due at least in part to the preservation of the molecular weight characteristics of the starch, and improved elasticity due the ability to use higher water contents than conventional processes.

Raw material grains according to the present invention comprise, as components, 40 to 60% plant fiber powder, 20 to 30% starch, 10 to 20% vegetable gum powder obtained by fermenting starch, 2 to 15% water-soluble polymer glue, and 1 to 10% water-soluble cellulose derivative. The production process thereof primarily includes: a step of appropriately adjusting blending ratios in accordance with the production method, rotating and kneading for 10-40 minutes the fiber powder, starch, and vegetable gum powder, each in a separate kneader, and then batch stirring and kneading all of the blending components in a fourth kneader to thereby obtain a raw material; and a step of subsequently molding the mixed raw material into a plurality of strands in a molding device, cutting the strands into granular raw material grains via a cutting unit, cooling the raw material grains, and then packaging a raw material grain product.

Raw material grains according to the present invention comprise, as components, 40 to 60% plant fiber powder, 20 to 30% starch, 10 to 20% vegetable gum powder obtained by fermenting starch, 2 to 15% water-soluble polymer glue, and 1 to 10% water-soluble cellulose derivative. The production process thereof primarily includes: a step of appropriately adjusting blending ratios in accordance with the production method, rotating and kneading for 10-40 minutes the fiber powder, starch, and vegetable gum powder, each in a separate kneader, and then batch stirring and kneading all of the blending components in a fourth kneader to thereby obtain a raw material; and a step of subsequently molding the mixed raw material into a plurality of strands in a molding device, cutting the strands into granular raw material grains via a cutting unit, cooling the raw material grains, and then packaging a raw material grain product.

Compostable seaweed-based compositions, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the seaweed-based composition comprises (i) a phycocolloid including agar, alginate, carrageenan, and/or unprocessed seaweed, (ii) a polymer comprising thermoplastic starch (TPS), polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyesteramide (PEA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and/or polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and (iii) an additive, wherein the phycocolloid comprises no more than 90 wt% of the seaweed-based composition, the biopolymer comprises no more than 80 wt% of the seaweed-based composition, and the additive comprises no more than 50 wt% of the seaweed-based composition.

A biodegradable flexible container carrier is formed using a biodegradable plastic material that defines an array of apertures for receiving beverage containers. The biodegradable plastic material includes at least one of a) a polyolefin mixed with a prodegradant additive, b) a polyolefin extruded with a biodegradable co-resin, and c) a biodegradable structural polymer.