The present invention relates to polymer compositions comprising at least one basic additive, and processes comprising at least one process step to obtain the polymer composition or articles comprising the polymer composition. The polymer composition generally displays an enhanced biodegradability.

The present application provides for novel anhydride substituted starches and their use in personal and home care products. The natural based starches disclosed are useful for the replacement of chemical surfactants in personal and home care products. The starches demonstrate the unique ability to create and maintain desired properties in these products. The anhydride substituted starches are particularly useful in replicating the foaming properties of standard chemical surfactants.

Articles of manufacture formed from starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions and blends of starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions with biodegradable and/or compostable polymer compositions. The articles of manufacture may include but are not limited to inks, paints, compost bag, laminate bags, agricultural films, binder for earthenware, landscape piles or spikes, bottles, strands, sheets, films, packaging materials, pipes, tubes, lids, cups, rods, laminated films, sacks, bags, cutlery, pharmaceutical capsules, foams, granulates and powders.

Articles of manufacture formed from starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions and blends of starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions with biodegradable and/or compostable polymer compositions. The articles of manufacture may include but are not limited to inks, paints, compost bag, laminate bags, agricultural films, binder for earthenware, landscape piles or spikes, bottles, strands, sheets, films, packaging materials, pipes, tubes, lids, cups, rods, laminated films, sacks, bags, cutlery, pharmaceutical capsules, foams, granulates and powders.

Articles of manufacture formed from starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions and blends of starch ester biodegradable and/or compostable compositions with biodegradable and/or compostable polymer compositions. The articles of manufacture may include but are not limited to inks, paints, compost bag, laminate bags, agricultural films, binder for earthenware, landscape piles or spikes, bottles, strands, sheets, films, packaging materials, pipes, tubes, lids, cups, rods, laminated films, sacks, bags, cutlery, pharmaceutical capsules, foams, granulates and powders.

A bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition includes a mixed starch mixed ester having a total degree of substitution of at least 1.0, wherein the ester substituents include a mixture of (a) acetate and (b) one or more C.sub.10 to C.sub.24 ester residues, wherein the degree of substitution of (a) is greater than (b). A method of preparing a bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition having a degree of substation of at least 1.0 includes reacting starch with a mixed acid anhydride in the presence of an esterification catalyst to form a starch mixed ester composition wherein the mixed acid anhydride is formed from (a) an acid anhydride and (b) a carboxylic acid having 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

A bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition includes a mixed starch mixed ester having a total degree of substitution of at least 1.0, wherein the ester substituents include a mixture of (a) acetate and (b) one or more C.sub.10 to C.sub.24 ester residues, wherein the degree of substitution of (a) is greater than (b). A method of preparing a bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition having a degree of substation of at least 1.0 includes reacting starch with a mixed acid anhydride in the presence of an esterification catalyst to form a starch mixed ester composition wherein the mixed acid anhydride is formed from (a) an acid anhydride and (b) a carboxylic acid having 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

A bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition includes a mixed starch mixed ester having a total degree of substitution of at least 1.0, wherein the ester substituents include a mixture of (a) acetate and (b) one or more C.sub.10 to C.sub.24 ester residues, wherein the degree of substitution of (a) is greater than (b). A method of preparing a bio-based starch mixed ester biodegradable and/or compostable composition having a degree of substation of at least 1.0 includes reacting starch with a mixed acid anhydride in the presence of an esterification catalyst to form a starch mixed ester composition wherein the mixed acid anhydride is formed from (a) an acid anhydride and (b) a carboxylic acid having 10 to 24 carbon atoms.

Biodegradable and/or compostable compositions of blends of bio-based starch mixed esters and biodegradable and/or compostable polymers and methods of making them are described. The blend may include from about 20% to about 90% of the described starch mixed esters and from about 10% to about 80% of at least one other biodegradable and/or compostable polymer other than the bio-based starch mixed ester.

Biodegradable and/or compostable compositions of blends of bio-based starch mixed esters and biodegradable and/or compostable polymers and methods of making them are described. The blend may include from about 20% to about 90% of the described starch mixed esters and from about 10% to about 80% of at least one other biodegradable and/or compostable polymer other than the bio-based starch mixed ester.