A method for alcoholising and hydrolysing polyurethane (PUR) materials made from at least one polyol compound and at least one toluene diisocyanate based compound; wherein the method comprises the following steps: contacting the polyurethane material with at least one alcoholising compound, thereby forming a reaction mixture (M.sub.0) and allowing the polyurethane material and the alcoholising compound to react in said reaction mixture (M.sub.0), thereby forming a mixture (M); allowing the mixture (M) to separate into at least an upper phase and a lower phase, wherein phase (A) and phase (B) are two immiscible phases; subjecting phase (B) to at least one hydrolysis step, thereby forming a phase (B1); wherein the at least one alcoholising compound is characterized by a melting point of lower than 200° C.; wherein the at least one alcoholising compound is characterized by a hydroxyl functionality of at least 2; and with the proviso that the at least one alcoholising compound is not glycerol.

A foamable composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, and either a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent is disclosed. The composition is formed into foamed articles that are biodegradable.

A package or container contains a biodegradable resin and a microcapsule including therein a decomposition accelerator for the biodegradable resin. The microcapsule includes an outer shell containing a resin composition having photodegradability.

The present disclosure discloses a novel composition for transforming a non-biodegradable material into a decomposable material. In one embodiment, the non-biodegradable material may be plastic. The composition comprises a carbonate or a bicarbonate compound, a plant extract, a hydrating agent, and a coloring agent. The carbonate or bicarbonate compound, the plant extract and the hydrating agent are mixed in a predetermined ratio by weight along with the coloring agent and maintained in an aqueous medium. In one embodiment, the novel composition is applied on the non-biodegradable material to degrade it into a decomposable form. In another embodiment, the novel composition is mixed with the non-biodegradable material to degrade it into a decomposable form.

The invention relates to an additive composition comprising at least one hydroxycarboxylic acid salt and at least one organic phosphorus compound, said composition being capable of accelerating the hydrolytic decomposition of a thermoplastic condensation polymer upon working said additive composition into the condensation polymer. The invention additionally relates to a condensation polymer composition which is additivized with an additive composition according to the invention. The invention additionally relates to a method for the hydrolytic decomposition of a thermoplastic condensation polymer and to uses of the additive composition according to the invention and the thermoplastic condensation polymer composition.

A foamable composition comprising at least one cellulose acetate, a plasticizer, a nucleating agent, and either a chemical blowing agent or a physical blowing agent is disclosed. The composition is formed into foamed articles that are biodegradable.

A biodegradable sampling bag for containing samples or the like, comprises a flexible enclosure defining a chamber adapted to contain therein the sample, the flexible enclosure being made of a plastic material, which contains an additive that renders the flexible enclosure biodegradable when exposed for a sufficient period of time to microbial action. The additive is adapted to enable microorganisms to metabolize the molecular structure of said flexible enclosure. The additive is effective in altering the polymer chain of the plastic material to allow microbial action of a suitable environment to colonize in and around the plastic material, whereby microbes can then form a biofilm on a surface of the flexible enclosure and secrete acids which break down the entire polymer chain. The flexible enclosure, when exposed to microbial action, is adapted to withstand biodegradation for a given period of time, typically of at least three months.

A positive photosensitive resin composition according to the present invention contains at least (A) a polysiloxane compound having at least a structural unit of the general formula (1), (B) a photoacid generator or quinone diazide compound and (C) a solvent
[(R.sup.X).sub.bR.sup.1.sub.mSiO.sub.n/2]  (1)
where R.sup.X represents the following group; R.sup.1 each represents a hydrogen atom, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl group, phenyl group, hydroxy group, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkoxy group or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 fluoroalkyl group; b represents an integer of 1 to 3; m represents an integer of 0 to 2; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and b, m and n satisfy b+m+n=4, ##STR00001##
where X each represents a hydrogen atom or acid labile group; and a represents an integer of 1 to 5. It is possible by the use of this positive photosensitive resin composition to provide a film with high resistance and heat-resistant transparency and provide an electronic component with such a film.

A positive photosensitive resin composition according to the present invention contains at least (A) a polysiloxane compound having at least a structural unit of the general formula (1), (B) a photoacid generator or quinone diazide compound and (C) a solvent
[(R.sup.X).sub.bR.sup.1.sub.mSiO.sub.n/2]  (1)
where R.sup.X represents the following group; R.sup.1 each represents a hydrogen atom, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl group, phenyl group, hydroxy group, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkoxy group or C.sub.1-C.sub.3 fluoroalkyl group; b represents an integer of 1 to 3; m represents an integer of 0 to 2; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; and b, m and n satisfy b+m+n=4, ##STR00001##
where X each represents a hydrogen atom or acid labile group; and a represents an integer of 1 to 5. It is possible by the use of this positive photosensitive resin composition to provide a film with high resistance and heat-resistant transparency and provide an electronic component with such a film.

A process for producing a polymer material comprising: (a) providing a polymer material, which is carbon dioxide neutral and is selected from polyethylene, e.g. made from sugar cane ethanol, polypropylene and polystyrene, (b) providing a biodegradable additive, (c) blending the polymer material of step (a) with the biodegradable additive of step (b), wherein the biodegradable additive of step (b) is an organic mixture for the growing of naturally occurring organism comprising a fungal-bacterial mixture, e.g. a Penicillium-Bacillus mixture.