Compositions and methods of protecting plants from cold damage are provided. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising plant-based nano- and/or micron-sized particles which, when applied to plants or plant parts such as buds, form a non-hydrophilic deposit or film with low thermal conductivity, thereby conferring protection against damage from ice nucleation and cold stress.

A lignosulfonate dispersion self-healing polyurea coating and a preparation method therefor. The coating is obtained by reacting the following components in parts by mass: 1-10 parts of microcapsules of a lignosulfonate-embedded healing agent; 10-100 parts a polyurea prepolymer; 20-120 parts of a mixed solution of an amino-terminated polyether and a sterically hindered amine chain extender. The preparation method for the coating comprises the steps of at room temperature, adding a mixed solution of microcapsules of a lignosulfonate-embedded healing agent, an amino-terminated polyether and a sterically hindered amine chain extender into a polyurea prepolymer and reacting same at room temperature for 10 min-4 h. The self-healing polyurea coating may be applied to the field of material surface protection, i.e., corrosion resistance of steel structures, especially marine steel structures.

The invention relates to a method for producing a fiber based product, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) applying a binder composition over at least one surface of at least one fiber based substrate; b) determining the distribution of the applied binder composition over the entire at least one surface of the at least one fiber based substrate; and c) based on the determination in step b) either accepting the treated at least one fiber based substrate for the production of the fiber based product or rejecting the treated at least one fiber based substrate from the production of the fiber based product. The invention further relates to a method for producing a binder composition, to a binder composition and to a fiber based product.

This disclosure provides a polymer composite including a polymer, nanocellulose, and a compatibilizer, wherein the nanocellulose comprises cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils, and wherein the compatibilizer comprises a maleated polymer. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose includes lignin-coated nanocellulose. The polymer may be selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide, or poly(ethylene terephthalate). The maleated polymer may be selected from maleated polyethylene, maleated polypropylene, maleated polystyrene, maleated polylactide, or maleated poly(ethylene terephthalate. Other variations provide a process for compatibilizing a polymer with nanocellulose, comprising: providing a polymer; providing nanocellulose comprising cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils; providing a maleated polymer; and combining the polymer, the nanocellulose, and the maleated polymer, wherein the maleated polymer functions as a compatibilizer between the polymer and the nanocellulose.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a bonding resin suitable for use in coatings. The invention is directed to a method for preparing a bonding resin for use in a coating, wherein a solution of lignin in an organic solvent is mixed with polyglycerol polyglycidyl ether and optionally one or more additives.

Provided is a method for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface. Also provided is an apparatus suitable for directed fouling of a substance onto a selected surface.

The present invention relates to a composition for coating, in particular a composition comprising lignin and one or more epoxy-group containing compounds, and methods for the manufacturing thereof and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to products obtainable by said methods and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to a composition for coating, in particular a composition comprising lignin and one or more epoxy-group containing compounds, and methods for the manufacturing thereof and uses thereof. The present invention also relates to products obtainable by said methods and uses thereof.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Lignin formulations for making light-selective mulch, methods of making such lignin formulations, light-selective mulches comprising substrates treated with lignin formulations, and methods of making such light-selective mulches. Some methods involve preparing aqueous lignin formulations that can be used as coatings that, in turn, can be applied to a substrate, such as a paper web, to form a biodegradable, light-selective mulch. Some such mulches blocks at least some light in the ultraviolet and blue/green ranges (350 nm to 500 nm) of the visible light spectrum to inhibit weed growth below the mulch, while also transmitting light in the red/infrared ranges to heat the soil below the mulch.