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 biodegradable textile yarn made from recycled materials is disclosed, comprising a biodegradable, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (bio-rPET) fiber blended with a recycled natural fiber. The bio-rPET fiber is made from a recycled PET (rPET) and a biodegradable PET additive to make the rPET biodegradable. The biodegradable PET additive is between 0.5 and 3 weight % of a total weight of the biodegradable PET fiber. The bio-rPET fiber is more than 1 weight % inclusive of a total weight of the biodegradable textile yarn. Further disclosed are a biodegradable textile made from the biodegradable textile yarn, and systems and methods for making the biodegradable textile yarn. Also disclosed are benefits of the new biodegradable textile yarns, and alternative embodiments.

A biodegradable textile yarn made from recycled materials is disclosed, comprising a biodegradable, recycled polyethylene terephthalate (bio-rPET) fiber blended with a recycled natural fiber. The bio-rPET fiber is made from a recycled PET (rPET) and a biodegradable PET additive to make the rPET biodegradable. The biodegradable PET additive is between 0.5 and 3 weight % of a total weight of the biodegradable PET fiber. The bio-rPET fiber is more than 1 weight % inclusive of a total weight of the biodegradable textile yarn. Further disclosed are a biodegradable textile made from the biodegradable textile yarn, and systems and methods for making the biodegradable textile yarn. Also disclosed are benefits of the new biodegradable textile yarns, and alternative embodiments.

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 provides coated substrates comprising a substrate and a barrier coating on at least one surface of the substrate. The barrier coating comprises (i) vermiculite, (ii) polymer capable of forming a film, (iii) chemical stabilizing agent selected from materials that contain cationic functionality selected from lithium, alkyl C.sub.2-C.sub.6 ammonium, allyl ammonium, heterocylclic ammonium, morpholonium, ammonium and amino C.sub.3-C.sub.6 alkyl carboxylic acids; lithium cations in combination with anions selected from carboxylic, phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfonic and fatty acids, lithium chelating agents, and lithium salts, ammonia, C.sub.3-C.sub.6 amine, heterocyclic amines, lithium hydroxide, morpholine, and morpholine oleate; and (iv) cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings, methods and mixtures for making such coated substrates and articles.

The invention provides coated substrates comprising a substrate and a barrier coating on at least one surface of the substrate. The barrier coating comprises (i) vermiculite, (ii) polymer capable of forming a film, (iii) chemical stabilizing agent selected from materials that contain cationic functionality selected from lithium, alkyl C.sub.2-C.sub.6 ammonium, allyl ammonium, heterocylclic ammonium, morpholonium, ammonium and amino C.sub.3-C.sub.6 alkyl carboxylic acids; lithium cations in combination with anions selected from carboxylic, phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfonic and fatty acids, lithium chelating agents, and lithium salts, ammonia, C.sub.3-C.sub.6 amine, heterocyclic amines, lithium hydroxide, morpholine, and morpholine oleate; and (iv) cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings, methods and mixtures for making such coated substrates and articles.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer/biological entities alloy, comprising a step of mixing a polymer and biological entities that degrade it, during a heat treatment, said heat treatment being performed at a temperature T above room temperature and said biological entities being resistant to said temperature T, characterized in that said biological entities are chosen from enzymes that degrade said polymer and microorganisms that degrade said polymer.

The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

The present invention relates to a masterbatch composition comprising high concentration of biological entities having a polymer-degrading activity and uses thereof for manufacturing biodegradable plastic articles.

A method for operating in a borehole comprises disposing in a downhole environment an article comprising a bismaleimide composite which comprises a polybismaleimide and a disintegrating agent; exposing the article to an aqueous fluid at a temperature of about 25 C. to about 300 C.; and disintegrating the article.