Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of cellulose ethers. The process involves: (a) providing a perforated disk having a plurality of perforations; and (b) forcing feed cellulose ether through at least some of the perforations of the perforated disk, thereby forming compressed cellulose ether. The compressed cellulose ether formed in accordance with the method of the present invention has a higher bulk density and a more uniform particle size distribution than known cellulose ethers prepared by other processes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing a substantially fiber-free carboxymethyl cellulose which predominantly exhibits elastic properties, to the use thereof as a superabsorbent material, and to the use thereof as an adjuvant substance for achieving suitable rheological and water retention properties for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical and food sectors, and for industrial applications, e.g. as an additive for coating materials, for the sealing of cables and for use in tunnelling and in civil and underground engineering.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomer fibers with superior mechanical and heat distortion properties are obtained by a method in which (a) a segmented polyurethane polymer is produced on the basis of a macro-diol, an aliphatic diisocyanate, and a chain extender with at least two hydroxy and/or amino groups, where the polymer has a molar excess of isocyanate groups over the hydroxy and/or amino groups from the macro-diol and chain extender; (b) the polyurethane polymer is melt-extruded to form a fiber; and (c) The extruded fiber is subjected to a post-treatment. Steps (a) and (b) are carried out under temperature conditions and within a time interval where essentially no allophanate will be formed, while step (c) is performed under temperature conditions and within a time interval in which the polyurethane polymer is cross-linked through the formation of allophanate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a polyurethane elastomer containing structural units of type (a), in which: the group —O—R1—O—is a macrodiol group with a molecular weight of approximately 500 to 10000, R2 is a bivalent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aliphatic-cycloaliphatic group; and X is a short-chain olefinically unsaturated group, Y is NH or O, n is an integer from 1 to 10 and m is an integer of at least 4. The invention also concerns a method of preparing this polyurethane elastomer which can be melt-spun to form fibres or melt-extruded to form foils. The fibres or foils can be exposed to energy-rich radiation such that crosslinking of the polyurethane occurs. Fibres according to the invention display superior properties in terms of textile-mechanical properties, in particular good tensile strength, elongation at tear, residual elongation and heat distortion temperature.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydroxypropyl starch wherein the starch is etherified in the presence of a small amount of water with an excess of propylene oxide which hydroxypropyl starch is used as plaster additive.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose having a flocculation point of at least 100.degree. C. by carrying out the alkalization and hydroxyethylation of the cellulose in liquid methyl chloride.