Abstract: A polymer composition and its use for thin film packaging applications including on a dry basis: a) from 45 to 90% by weight of starch; b) from 0.1 to 15% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten state of the starch component; and c) from 5 to 45% by weight of one or more plasticizers having a molecular weight in the range of 50-6000, more preferably 50-2500 and more preferably still 100-400 and desirably selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, glycerol trioleate, tributyl citrate, acetyl tri-ethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, polyethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A bottle for carbonated beverage is moulded from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) thermoplastics resin and has a recessed base (14) formed by a standing ring (15) and an outwardly domed central panel (21). A ring member attached to the base by spin-welding receives the crest (19) of the standing ring and extends along the inner wall of the standing ring to the central panel so as to control distortion of the base when the bottle is pressurized. The ring member is made of PET so that the bottle is readily recyclable.