This invention relates to the use of destructured starch derivatives as hysteresis reduction additive in elastomer compositions and elastomer compositions containing those derivatives.

This invention relates to the use of destructured starch derivatives as hysteresis reduction additive in elastomer compositions and elastomer compositions containing those derivatives.

The disclosure relates to polylactic acid compositions comprising a degradation additive and a thermal stability additive. The polylactic acid compositions have increased rates of degradation when compared to polylactic acid composition without the disclosed additives. The polylactic acid compositions are particularly suitable for use in artificial seeds.

The disclosure relates to polylactic acid compositions comprising a degradation additive and a thermal stability additive. The polylactic acid compositions have increased rates of degradation when compared to polylactic acid composition without the disclosed additives. The polylactic acid compositions are particularly suitable for use in artificial seeds.

A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.

A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.

A polymeric blend composition comprising: (a) from about 1 to about 99 wt. % of a polymer; and (b) from about 1 to about 75 wt. % poly alpha-1,3-glucan is disclosed. The addition of alpha-1,3-glucan as a polymer filler can increase the tensile modulus, tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties of the polymeric blend composition.

An intermediate laminate product includes a first paper layer including lignocellulose fibres, and a dry coating layer applied to one surface of the first paper layer, the coating including expandable microspheres having an expansion temperature (T.sub.E), at least one polysaccharide, and a plasticizing additive which is capable of forming a thermoplastic blend with the polysaccharide. An expanded laminate structure includes the intermediate laminate product and a second paper layer comprising lignocellulose fibres, which is attached to the dry coating by heat lamination. A liquid packaging board includes the expanded laminate structure and a liquid barrier layer. A process for forming the expanded laminate structure includes applying a second paper layer to the coating of the intermediate product at a second temperature (T2), which is above the expansion temperature (T.sub.E) of the microspheres, whereby the microspheres expand, and at which the plasticizing additive causes plasticizing of the polysaccharide, to form a thermoplastic blend.

An intermediate laminate product includes a first paper layer including lignocellulose fibres, and a dry coating layer applied to one surface of the first paper layer, the coating including expandable microspheres having an expansion temperature (T.sub.E), at least one polysaccharide, and a plasticizing additive which is capable of forming a thermoplastic blend with the polysaccharide. An expanded laminate structure includes the intermediate laminate product and a second paper layer comprising lignocellulose fibres, which is attached to the dry coating by heat lamination. A liquid packaging board includes the expanded laminate structure and a liquid barrier layer. A process for forming the expanded laminate structure includes applying a second paper layer to the coating of the intermediate product at a second temperature (T2), which is above the expansion temperature (T.sub.E) of the microspheres, whereby the microspheres expand, and at which the plasticizing additive causes plasticizing of the polysaccharide, to form a thermoplastic blend.

Described herein are methods for rendering biodegradable a plastic material that is not itself biodegradable, by blending the plastic material with a carbohydrate-based polymeric material that is formed from one or more starches, and a plasticizer (e.g., glycerin). The carbohydrate-based polymeric material is less crystalline than the starting starch materials, e.g., being substantially amorphous, and having a crystallinity of no more than 20%. Third party testing shows blends of such materials render the entire blend biodegradable, believed to be due to the low crystalline substantially amorphous carbohydrate-based polymeric material breaking the hygroscopic barrier associated with the non-biodegradable plastic material, so that when blended together, both the plastic material and the carbohydrate-based polymeric material are biodegradable.