The present disclosure is directed to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) copolymers, and to chewing gum bases and chewing gums comprising the mcl-PHA copolymers. In some instances, the mcl-PHA copolymers may partially or completely replace conventional petroleum-based gum base polymers, including elastomers, in the chewing gum and gum base. The chewing gums and gum bases of the present disclosure may be free or substantially free of petroleum-based ingredients. Chewing gums comprising the mcl-PHA copolymers of the present disclosure may also have enhanced degradability as compared to conventional chewing gums.

The present disclosure is directed to medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) copolymers, and to chewing gum bases and chewing gums comprising the mcl-PHA copolymers. In some instances, the mcl-PHA copolymers may partially or completely replace conventional petroleum-based gum base polymers, including elastomers, in the chewing gum and gum base. The chewing gums and gum bases of the present disclosure may be free or substantially free of petroleum-based ingredients. Chewing gums comprising the mcl-PHA copolymers of the present disclosure may also have enhanced degradability as compared to conventional chewing gums.

A polymer composition is disclosed which composition includes at least a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is made up of at least 10 mole percent repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). The second polymer is made up of a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) which does not include repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). A method for making the first polymer is also disclosed.

A polymer composition is disclosed which composition includes at least a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is made up of at least 10 mole percent repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). The second polymer is made up of a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) which does not include repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). A method for making the first polymer is also disclosed.

A method for producing PHA polymer includes using bacteria in which the bacteria are grown under heterotrophic conditions using an organic substance as carbon source and exponential growth conditions. The bacteria are then cultivated under autotrophic conditions under an atmosphere of H.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2, wherein the O.sub.2 content is less than 10% (v/v) and the pressure is more than 1 barg.

A method for producing PHA polymer includes using bacteria in which the bacteria are grown under heterotrophic conditions using an organic substance as carbon source and exponential growth conditions. The bacteria are then cultivated under autotrophic conditions under an atmosphere of H.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2, wherein the O.sub.2 content is less than 10% (v/v) and the pressure is more than 1 barg.

An amorphous polylactic acid polymer having a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 35,000 to 180,000 is described. The polylactic acid polymer composition can be hammer milled without cryogenics result in the form of particles wherein 90% of the particles have particle size of about 250 μm or less and the material has a glass transition temperature of between about 55° C. to about 58° C. and a relative viscosity of about 1.45 to about 1.95 centipoise. The polymer composition can be used to form an aqueous suspension. The material is ideally suited for use in preparing particleboard. A method is disclosed for preparing such polylactic acid polymers. The method involves obtaining an amorphous polylactic acid polymer having a weight average molecular weight of between about 115,000 to about 180,000. Treating the polylactic acid polymer to reduce the molecular weight to between about 35,000 to 45,000 such that it has a glass transition temperature of between about 55° C. and 58° C. and a relative viscosity of about 1.45 to about 1.95. Material can be formed into particles in a commercial hammer mill with bypass such that 90% of the initial mass results in the particles which can pass thru a sieve having a pore size of about 250 μm. During particle board formation the temperature of around 140-140 C being reached to optimally activate the adhesive; Bond strengths and throughput rates of resulting particle boards can be controlled thereafter, with variable combination of particle sizes, adhesive loading and initial moisture content.

An amorphous polylactic acid polymer having a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 35,000 to 180,000 is described. The polylactic acid polymer composition can be hammer milled without cryogenics result in the form of particles wherein 90% of the particles have particle size of about 250 μm or less and the material has a glass transition temperature of between about 55° C. to about 58° C. and a relative viscosity of about 1.45 to about 1.95 centipoise. The polymer composition can be used to form an aqueous suspension. The material is ideally suited for use in preparing particleboard. A method is disclosed for preparing such polylactic acid polymers. The method involves obtaining an amorphous polylactic acid polymer having a weight average molecular weight of between about 115,000 to about 180,000. Treating the polylactic acid polymer to reduce the molecular weight to between about 35,000 to 45,000 such that it has a glass transition temperature of between about 55° C. and 58° C. and a relative viscosity of about 1.45 to about 1.95. Material can be formed into particles in a commercial hammer mill with bypass such that 90% of the initial mass results in the particles which can pass thru a sieve having a pore size of about 250 μm. During particle board formation the temperature of around 140-140 C being reached to optimally activate the adhesive; Bond strengths and throughput rates of resulting particle boards can be controlled thereafter, with variable combination of particle sizes, adhesive loading and initial moisture content.

Compositions of high molecular weight poly(hydroxy acid) polymer having good thermal stability and a weight average molecular weight of >100,000 by GPC. The compositions include one or more chain-terminator compounds/impurities which may be incorporated into the polymer and rendered harmless by the presence of appropriate amounts of bi-functional and multi-functional polymerization initiators. A process including first mixing glycolic acid and/or lactic acid (with chain-terminators), and a diol or di-acid initiator, and at least one multifunctional initiator to form a liquid monomer mixture in an agitated polycondensation reactor. Next, polycondensing to form a liquid reaction mixture comprising a pre-polymer having a weight average molecular weight of >10,000 by GPC, and greater than 80% by mole hydroxyl or carboxyl end-group termination, then crystallizing to form a first solid reaction mixture. Then, solid state polycondensing the solid reaction mixture to form a solid reaction mixture having a moisture level less than 50 ppm by weight. Then, mixing the solid reaction mixture with an appropriate reactive coupling agent in a melting and mixing extruder to couple and form the reaction mixture and form the final poly(hydroxy acid) polymer.

Citrate polyester additives for crude oils, mixtures of the citrate polyester additives and crude oils, and methods for producing or forming the mixtures are provided. The mixtures and methods comprise at least one citrate polyester additive introduce or applied to crude oil, wherein the at least one citrate polyester additive comprises one or more citrate crosspolymers.