Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition including amylose and/or amylopectin, including a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, subsequent acylation and, preferably, a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in inks, varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polysaccharide which comprises. (a) reacting a polysaccharide with an acylating agent to produce an acylated polysaccharide and (b) washing the acylated polysaccharide with water containing from 0.05 to 15 mg/l Ca2+-ions (c) recovering the washed acylated polysaccharide and an aqueous phase containing carboxylic acid from step (b).

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition including amylose and/or amylopectin, including a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, subsequent acylation and, preferably, a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in inks, varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin, comprising a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, subsequent acylation and, preferably, a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in inks, varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of carboxylic acid, in particular acetic acid containing carboxylic anhydride in particularacetic anhydride and other impurities, which comprises: (a) treating a fraction, in particular a fraction originating from a wood treatment process, containing carboxylic acid and impurities with a metal salt in the presence of water, (b) treating at least part of the fraction obtained from step (a) to remove metal salt and, (c) treating at least part of the fraction obtained from step (b) by distillation, stripping or membrane separation to recover at least a purified carboxylic acid fraction.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for manufacturing a fraction comprising carboxylic acid anhydride by reaction of a fraction comprising carboxylic acid with a ketene, and the use of the fraction comprising carboxylic acid anhydride in a process for acylation of polysaccharides.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the recovery of carboxylic acid from a fraction comprising carboxylic acid and impurities, and a process for the manufacture of treated wood, which comprise the step of submitting a fraction containing carboxylic acid and impurities to a gas stripping operation.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of carboxylic acid, in particular acetic acid containing carboxylic anhydride in particular acetic anhydride and other impurities, which comprises: (a) treating a fraction, in particular a fraction originating from a wood treatment process, containing carboxylic acid and impurities with a metal salt in the presence of water, (b) treating at least part of the fraction obtained from step (a) to remove metal salt and, (c) treating at least part of the fraction obtained from step (b) by distillation, stripping or membrane separation to recover at least a purified carboxylic acid fraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of acetic acid. The invention more particularly relates to a process comprising a stage of liquid/liquid extraction of an aqueous solution comprising acetic acid and to a stage of distillation of the extract obtained.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin, comprising a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid, and optionally one additive selected from the group of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a salt in combination with a polycarboxylic acid. After pre-treatment, the polymer is acylated and, preferably, subjected to a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders, and preferably inks.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin, comprising a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid, a salt and a polycarboxylic acid, subsequent acylation and, preferably, a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in inks, varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polymer composition comprising amylose and/or amylopectin, comprising a pre-treatment step in the presence of an acid and a hydroxycarboxylic acid, subsequent acylation and, preferably, a post-treatment step with an acid. The products obtained are useful as additives in inks, varnishes, lacquers, coatings, thickeners, adhesives or binders.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of an acylated polysaccharide which comprises. (a) reacting a polysaccharide with an acylating agent to produce an acylated polysaccharide and (b) washing the acylated polysaccharide with water containing from 0.05 to 15 mg/l Ca2+-ions (c) recovering the washed acylated polysaccharide and an aqueous phase containing carboxylic acid from step (b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a biodegradable plastic having increased biodegradation speed. Said plastic comprises a) finely distributed particle of a biodegradable, water-soluble, organic component, and b) finely distributed particles of a water-soluble, inorganic component promoting the growth of microorganisms and comprising N, P, and/or S. Said plastic is particularly based on cellulose esters such as cellulose acetate. Preferable components A are water-soluble saccharides and/or water-soluble organic acids. Said particularly advantageous biodegradable plastic is particularly available in the form of fibers, films, injection molded items, granulate beads, and containers. Controlled-release biocides and/or fertilizers can also be included in the molded part, wherein the molded part is degraded faster in the environment as said ingredients are released. The accelerated biodegradation is based on a synergistic interaction of the components indicated.

Abstract: A photodegradable paper including cellulose fibers and, if applicable, fillers, additives and/or other kind of fibers is described. Also described, is a paper particularly in the field of packaging, tissue papers or cigarettes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the recovery of acetic acid. The invention more particularly relates to a process comprising a stage of liquid/liquid extraction of an aqueous solution comprising acetic acid and to a stage of distillation of the extract obtained.

Abstract: A photodegradable plastic is described, comprising cellulose esters and also, if appropriate, additives. A particular characterizing feature of this photodegradable plastic is that it comprises a dispersed photocatalytic carbon-modified titanium dioxide. Comparative experiments show that this photodegradable plastic exhibits a surprisingly high increase in photocatalytic degradability when compared with products in which a conventional or other modified titanium dioxide is used. This improvement is apparent in particular in use of the photodegradable plastic according to the invention when it is further processed to give moldings. The photodegradable plastic can, for example, first be further processed to give a filter tow. This can be used to produce filter rods, and these can then be used to produce filter plugs for filter-tip cigarettes.

Abstract: A polymeric layer; and in particular the use of this polymeric layer as an outer protective layer of a photovoltaic module. The polymer of the layer is selected from the group consisting of cellulose and its derivatives; starch and its derivatives; alginates and their derivatives; guars and their derivatives; chitin and its derivatives; and pectin and its derivatives.

Abstract: A polymeric optical lens for a light-emitting diode (LED) light source module, and in particular an LED light source module comprising this polymeric optical lens, and an LED lamp comprising this module. More particularly, an optical lens for a light-emitting diode (LED) light source module comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose and its derivatives; starch and its derivatives; alginates and their derivatives; guars and their derivatives; chitin and its derivatives; and pectin and its derivatives.