The present invention relates to a process for degrading a plastic product comprising at least one polymer, said process comprising the steps of foaming at least partially the plastic product; and depolymerizing at least one target polymer of the at least partially foamed plastic product, wherein the step of foaming is performed at a temperature at which the plastic product is in a partially or totally molten state.

The invention provides a thermoplastic resin composition, a molded article, and production methods therefor. The thermoplastic resin composition can sufficiently exhibit a cellulose addition effect and impart excellent mechanical strength to the molded article, particularly a foam molded article. More specifically, the invention provides a resin composition and a foam molded article thereof. The resin composition contains: a cellulose fiber (A); an amorphous resin (B) having a glass transition temperature of 160° C. or lower; a crystalline resin (C) having a melting point (melting peak temperature) of 80° C. to 150° C. and a melting start temperature lower than the melting point by 30° C. or more; and a thermoplastic resin (D) having a melting point or a glass transition temperature higher than the melting point of the crystalline resin (C) by 5° C. or more.

A recyclable crosslinked polymeric foam includes a reaction product of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of a crosslinking agent and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a radical initiator, based on 100 parts by weight of a polymeric material. The crosslinking agent is represented by the following formula:

##STR00001##

wherein R is an alkylene group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, an arylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, or a cycloalkylene group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms.

Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment including a foam are provided. The foam portion of the components and articles include a composition which includes a thermoplastic copolyester, the composition having a foam structure. A polymer layer is provided on at least on surface of the foam portion. The polymer layer can control or reduce the water uptake of the foam portion. Methods of making the compositions, foams, and components are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding, or injection molding followed by compression molding.

A foam article, such as a cushioning element for an article of footwear, apparel or sporting equipment is provided that comprises a foam component, such as a midsole, having a number of beneficial physical characteristics. The cushioning element is a low-density foamed component with a surface skin that encases the remaining foam volume. The cushioning element has a number of foam volumes, arranged to achieve a more consistent foam component. Additionally, the cushioning element includes a series of concentric ridges extending radially outwardly from injection gate vestige locations, and a number of striation bands near the perimeter of the cushioning element. The location of the gate vestiges can be beneficially arranged to produce intersecting flow boundaries that are located away from key strain areas of the cushioning element. The cushioning element is more environmentally-friendly, requiring less energy to produce while still providing acceptable energy return and low density.

Provided are a thermoplastic polyurethane foam and an impact resistant composite laminate. The thermoplastic polyurethane comprises a structural unit represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001## wherein each R independently is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms or —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2— or —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2—; n is a number from 2 to 13; and the structural unit has a Mn ranging from 700 g/mole to 2500 g/mole. The impact resistant composite laminate comprises a base layer and a first impact resistant layer formed by the thermoplastic polyurethane foam, and the first impact resistant layer overlaps the base layer.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foam molded product of thermoplastic polyester elastomer resin which exhibits light weight and excellent rebound resilience. The foam molded product is characterized in that, the foam molded product has a foamed layer consisting of a resin phase and an isolated foamed cell.

A foamable polypropylene composition, and foamed polypropylene and a preparation method therefor are provided. The polypropylene composition comprises polypropylene, a polypropylene modifier, a foaming agent, and an optional nucleating agent. A preparation method for the polypropylene modifier comprises: enabling polar monomer grafted polypropylene to be in contact with a component A to react and carrying out extruding pelletizing, wherein a polar monomer in the polar monomer grafted polypropylene can chemically react with the component A; the polar monomer is selected from at least one of dimethylamino methacrylate, epoxy acrylate, trimeric acrylic isocyanurate, and acrylamide; and the component A is selected from at least one of polyisocyanate, polyethylene oxide, and an amido-containing substance. The foamed polypropylene has an obtained foaming ratio of 12 times or more, and also has high tensile and flexural properties.

A microfibrillated cellulose-loaded foam is indicated, comprising microfibrillated cellulose, at least one thickening agent and/or at least one adhesive biopolymer. Furthermore, a method for producing such a microfibrillated cellulose-loaded foam and a use of such a foam are provided.

Embodiments of the present invention encompass methods of forming a foamed polyolefin and articles and materials of the foamed polyolefin. The foamed materials and articles may be used in applications requiring thermal insulation.