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.

An improved adhesive composition having increased insulative properties is provided. The adhesive composition having improved insulative properties includes a starch component; an alkaline component; sodium tetraborate; water; and a plurality of expandable microspheres. Products having improved insulation capabilities and methods of making the products having improved insulation capabilities are also provided. The present adhesive and products including the adhesive is environmentally friendly.

An improved adhesive composition having increased insulative properties is provided. The adhesive composition having improved insulative properties includes a starch component; an alkaline component; sodium tetraborate; water; and a plurality of expandable microspheres. Products having improved insulation capabilities and methods of making the products having improved insulation capabilities are also provided. The present adhesive and products including the adhesive is environmentally friendly.

An improved adhesive composition having increased insulative properties is provided. The adhesive composition having improved insulative properties includes a starch component; an alkaline component; sodium tetraborate; water; and a plurality of expandable microspheres. Products having improved insulation capabilities and methods of making the products having improved insulation capabilities are also provided. The present adhesive and products including the adhesive is environmentally friendly.

The invention is directed to a method of preparing a blend comprising a polysaccharide and a water soluble or dispersible ingredient. More in particular, the invention relates to the preparation of such blend using a filter centrifuge. The method of the invention comprises a. feeding a polysaccharide slurry to a filter centrifuge via a first inlet; b. rotating the filter centrifuge at a first centrifuge speed to provide a polysaccharide cake; c. feeding a sprayable ingredient to the filter centrifuge via a second inlet; and d. spraying the sprayable ingredient onto the polysaccharide cake while rotating the filter centrifuge at a second centrifuge speed to produce a blend of the polysaccharide and the ingredient.

Provided herein are starch compositions, which comprise a first starch having a first weight average molecular weight between about 300,000 and about 4,000,000 Daltons, a second starch having a second weight average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 290,000 Daltons, and a water-soluble polymer. Also provide herein are articles of manufacture and films comprising the starch composition, and methods of making the starch composition.

Provided herein are starch compositions, which comprise a first starch having a first weight average molecular weight between about 300,000 and about 4,000,000 Daltons, a second starch having a second weight average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 290,000 Daltons, and a water-soluble polymer. Also provide herein are articles of manufacture and films comprising the starch composition, and methods of making the starch composition.

Temperature responsive phase change bio-complexes (PCBC) with tunable physicochemical properties and preparation method thereof. The phase change bio-complexes consist of a phase change material (PCM) (or mixture of PCMs) and a polysaccharide (or combination of polysaccharides). The polysaccharide provides mechanical and thermal stabilization and the PCM provides temperature responsive properties to the complexation. In order to undergo complexation with polysaccharides, sugar alcohols and salt hydrates classifications of PCMs are preferred which results in compatibility and homogeneity of the bio-complexes. Addition of multivalent cations (water soluble salts) and/or salts of an acid tunes the thermophysical properties of the bio-complexes such as tunable temperature and latent heat of fusion and structural and thermal stability. These environmentally benign phase change bio-complexes can be applied in different form-stable formats such as powdered, films, pellets, sheets, beads, sponge etc. for thermal management purposes including thermal energy storage and thermal protection via heat absorbing-releasing, for instance, in building, packaging, electronics, temperature sensitive items (black boxes) and wearables.

Temperature responsive phase change bio-complexes (PCBC) with tunable physicochemical properties and preparation method thereof. The phase change bio-complexes consist of a phase change material (PCM) (or mixture of PCMs) and a polysaccharide (or combination of polysaccharides). The polysaccharide provides mechanical and thermal stabilization and the PCM provides temperature responsive properties to the complexation. In order to undergo complexation with polysaccharides, sugar alcohols and salt hydrates classifications of PCMs are preferred which results in compatibility and homogeneity of the bio-complexes. Addition of multivalent cations (water soluble salts) and/or salts of an acid tunes the thermophysical properties of the bio-complexes such as tunable temperature and latent heat of fusion and structural and thermal stability. These environmentally benign phase change bio-complexes can be applied in different form-stable formats such as powdered, films, pellets, sheets, beads, sponge etc. for thermal management purposes including thermal energy storage and thermal protection via heat absorbing-releasing, for instance, in building, packaging, electronics, temperature sensitive items (black boxes) and wearables.

Systems and methods for manufacturing maltodextrin and protein nutritional products from rice are disclosed. Some embodiments include: milling hydrated rice, digesting with an α-amylase enzyme to form a mixture of maltodextrin and protein, and separating the protein and maltodextrin from one another.