Abstract: The invention relates to a compressible, powdery sugar composition having an apparent density of more than 0.5, especially 0.6 and approximately 0.8, preferably equal to 0.6, said composition consisting of hollow particles. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a compressible sugar solution, comprising a drying stage involving the atomization of an initial saccharose solution with at least one added anti-crystallizing agent, wherein the saccharose content of the initial saccharose solution is lower than the saturation rates, advantageously exhibiting a dry matter rate of approximately 60 wt. % in relation to the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing saccharide monomers comprising at least one polymerizable acrylate or methacrylate group whereby the saccharide used in the process is selected from mono-, di- and tri-saccharides, in particular from non-reducing mono-, di- and tri-saccharides. The process comprises reacting the saccharide in an aqueous medium with an esterifying reagent containing the polymerizable acrylate or methacrylate group in the presence of a base while maintaining the pH of the reaction medium to a value within the range of 7 to 11 during the entire reaction time. The invention furthermore concerns saccharide monomers comprising at least one polymerizable acrylate or methacrylate group with a controlled degree of substitution.

Abstract: Extrusion-die system comprising an extrusion slit (3) fed upstream by two flows of polymeric materials, one of which issues from one or several flat conduits (7,8), the other from a multitude of small holes (18) drilled into a bar element of generally T-shaped cross-section (5). The cross-section of element (5) has a punch-like configuration with the holes being fashioned therein in two parallel rows and being staggered from one row to the other. The die system permits manufacture of products comprising a network of threads or filaments sheathed in a film or foil.