Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for genetically modifying microbes to produce a microbe capable of simultaneous consumption of xylose and glucose to increase the productivity output of desired chemical products. The disclosure further provides modified bacteria that are capable of simultaneous consumption of xylose and glucose, and compositions comprising the microbes.

Abstract: A polymer composition including a crosslinkable thermoplastic matrix, a crosslinking agent, a blowing agent, and at least one cell opener is provided. A method of producing an open cell polymer foam from the polymer composition is also provided. The method includes heating a foamable precursor under positive pressure to a temperature greater than a decomposition temperature of the crosslinking agent and below a decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent to produce a primary foam. Then, the method includes heating the primary foam to a temperature greater than the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent and then allowing the primary foam to cool to a temperature below a softening temperature of the crosslinkable thermoplastic polymer to form the open cell polymer foam. The produced open cell polymer foam has an open cell content of at least 80% immediately following the step of allowing the primary foam to cool.

Abstract: Heterophasic polypropylene copolymer compositions and methods of making the same include a matrix phase of a random polypropylene-based copolymer; and an elastomeric rubber phase dispersed in the matrix phase, wherein the elastomeric rubber phase includes propylene and one or more comonomers and has a viscosity index ratio, relative to a viscosity index of the random polypropylene-based copolymer, that ranges from 0.3 to 1.1; and wherein an average particle size of the dispersed elastomeric rubber phase is less than 300 nm. Methods include dispersing an elastomeric rubber phase that includes propylene and one or more comonomers into a matrix phase of a random polypropylene-based copolymer, wherein the elastomeric rubber phase has a viscosity index ratio, relative to a viscosity index of the random polypropylene-based copolymer that ranges from 0.3 to 1.1.

Abstract: A railroad sleeper (1) for fixation of at least a pair of rails (2,2?) of a railroad network is provided, including a contact surface (3), wherein each rail of the pair of rails (2,2?) is fixed spaced apart from each other, the railroad sleeper (1) being configured by including a hollow sector (4) delimited by association of the contact surface (3) with the anchorage walls (5,5?), thus establishing a free portion (17) adjacent to the anchorage walls (5,5?) and opposite the contact surface (3). An embodiment in which the hollow sector (4) of the railroad sleeper is delimited by a support surface and the process of manufacturing a railroad sleeper is also provided.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and a system for recycling a polymer. The method includes introducing polymer into a primary melting extruder, producing a polymer melt that is combined with a fluid oil to at least partially dissolve the polymer melt. A secondary mixing extruder mixes these to form a polymer solution that is introduced into a refinery oil stream, producing a polymer-comprising oil stream, which is fed into a refinery process unit. The system includes a primary melting extruder for forming a polymer melt from polymer. A secondary mixing extruder receives the polymer melt. One or more hydrocarbon inflow conduits for providing a fluid oil to the primary melting extruder and/or the secondary mixing extruder are configured to form a polymer solution from the fluid oil and the polymer melt. There is a feed system outlet for feeding the polymer solution to a refinery oil stream.

Abstract: It is described a railroad sleeper for fastening at least one pair of rails (2.2?) of 5 a railway network, the railroad sleeper (1) comprising a contact surface (3) on which each rail of the pair of rails (2.2?) is spaced fixed in relation to each other, the railway sleeper (1) comprising a hollow sector (4) delimited from the association of the contact surface (3) with anchorage walls (5.5?), thus establishing a free portion (17) adjacent to the anchorage walls (5,5?) and 10 opposite the contact surface (3), wherein the railroad sleeper (1, 1?) is manufactured from a composition comprising bending module greater than or equal to 5000 MPa.

Abstract: A biobased polymer composition for pharmaceutical articles includes a low density polyethylene, in which at least a portion of ethylene is obtained from a renewable source of carbon. The biobased polymer composition exhibits an Emission Factor ranging from ?3.5 to 0 kg CO2e/kg of the biobased polymer composition, and is biocompatible for use in pharmaceutical packaging. A pharmaceutical article includes the biobased polymer composition and has a volume ranging from 0.04 ml to 10000 ml. A method for forming a pharmaceutical article includes extruding the biobased polymer composition at a temperature ranging from 100 to 250° C. and at a screw speed ranging from 20 to 100 rpm. A method for producing a biobased polymer composition includes polymerizing ethylene at least partially obtained from a renewable source of carbon to form a low density polyethylene.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides recombinant microorganisms and methods for the anaerobic production of 2,4-furandicarboxylic acid from one or more carbon sources. The microorganisms and methods provide redox-balanced and ATP positive pathways for co-producing 2,4-furandicarboxylic acid with ethanol and for co-producing 2,4-furandicarboxylic acid with ethanol and 1-propanol. The method provides recombinant microorganisms that express endogenous and/or exogenous nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides that catalyze the conversion of a carbon source into 2,4-furandicarboxylic acid and that coupled the 2,4-furandicarboxylic acid pathway with an additional metabolic pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for application in rotomolding processes comprising a blend of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in concentrations from 20 to 40% by weight and melt flow index from 1 to 4 g/10 min; high density polyethylene (HDPE) in concentrations from 20 to 40% by weight and melt flow index from 5 to 9 g/10 min; low density polyethylene (LDPE) in concentrations from 0 to 20% by weight and melt flow index from 6 to 10 g/10 min; and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in concentrations from 20 to 40% by weight and melt flow index from 3 to 7 g/10 min. A composition comprising feedstock of renewable origin, as well as its use is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition suitable for manufacturing of isotropic three-dimensional printed articles, the composition including: a matrix phase including a propylene-based polymer or copolymer; and a dispersed phase in the matrix phase, the dispersed phase including an ethylene-based copolymer having a C3-C12 comonomer, wherein the dispersed phase has a different composition than the matrix phase, wherein the matrix phase has a crystallization half-time of less than 60 minutes.

Abstract: Polymer compositions may include a matrix phase comprising a polypropylene-based polymer; and an elastomeric rubber phase; wherein the polymer composition has melt flow rate (MFR) according to ASTM D1238 at 230° C./2.16 kg equal to or greater than 90 g/10 min and at least one feature selected from (I) an Izod impact resistance according to ASTM D256A at 23° C. equal to or greater than 400 J/m; (II) an instrumented drop impact at ?30° C., average total energy, equal to or greater than 17 J; or (III) an instrumented drop impact at ?30° C., average percent ductility, equal to or greater than 60%.

Abstract: A heterogeneous catalyst composition for preparing a highly-reactive polyisobutylene from isobutylene may include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor. A method of polymerizing isobutylene to a highly-reactive polyisobutylene may include a heterogeneous catalyst composition including include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor.

Abstract: Polymer compositions may include a matrix phase comprising a polypropylene-based polymer; and an elastomeric rubber phase; wherein the polymer composition has melt flow rate (MFR) according to ASTM D1238 at 230° C./2.16 kg equal to or greater than 90 g/10 min and at least one feature selected from (I) an Izod impact resistance according to ASTM D256A at 23° C. equal to or greater than 400 J/m; (II) an instrumented drop impact at ?30° C., average total energy, equal to or greater than 17 J; or (III) an instrumented drop impact at ?30° C., average percent ductility, equal to or greater than 60%.

Abstract: A railroad sleeper (1) for fixation of at least a pair of rails (2,2?) of a railroad network is disclosed, including a contact surface (3), wherein each rail of the pair of rails (2,2?) is fixed spaced apart from each other, the railroad sleeper (1) being configured by including a hollow sector (4) delimited by association of the contact surface (3) with the anchorage walls (5,5?), thus establishing a free portion (17) adjacent to the anchorage walls (5,5?) and opposite the contact surface (3). An embodiment in which the hollow sector (4) of the railroad sleeper is delimited by a support surface and the process of manufacturing a railroad sleeper is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods may include modifying the crystallization properties of a polymer composition including a polyolefin and a nucleating agent with the structure: wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl with the proviso that at least one of R1 or R2 is a carbon chain having 1 to 12 carbons with at least one of the carbons in the carbon chain covalently bound to the polyolefin, and wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl may be substituted with one or more carboxylate groups; and M is a metal selected from Group I of the Periodic Table.

Abstract: A polyethylene-based composition may include an ethylene-based copolymer produced from ethylene and one or more C3-C10 alpha olefin comonomers, wherein the ethylene-based copolymer has: a density ranging from 945 kg/m3 to 961 kg/m3 according to ASTM D792, a melt flow rate (MFR2) ranging from 0.5 g/10 min to 3.0 g/10 min according to ASTM D1238 at 190° C./2.16 kg, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) ranging from 3 to 25, and a stress exponent (SEx) ranging from 1.0 to 1.8.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method and system for intelligent load optimization for freight vehicles. The method comprises the step of adjusting, in response to determining a selection of a freight vehicle by a model, a scheduled route associated with the freight vehicle to generate an adjusted route for the 5 freight vehicle, wherein the adjusted route transports the load associated with the customer order and one or more other loads associated with the scheduled route. A method and system for load optimization in a fleet sharing among multiple freight vehicles are also described.

Abstract: A polymeric composition may include a thermoplastic polymer including: at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, C2-C12 olefins, and combinations thereof; and a dynamic crosslinking group; and a crosslinking agent to dynamically crosslink the thermoplastic polymer by ionic bonds or metal-ligand interaction.

Abstract: A polymer composition may include from 10 to 90 wt. % of at least a virgin polypropylene resin selected from a group consisting of propylene homopolymers, propylene random copolymers, propylene heterophasic copolymers and combinations thereof; and from 10 to 90 wt. % of at least a recycled resin; wherein the polymer composition presents a Melt Flow Rate from 1 to 50 g/10 min measured according to ASTM D1238 (2.16 kg/230° C.), Flexural Modulus at 1% secant measured according to ASTM D790 from 900 to 1700 MPa and a Izod Impact Resistance at 23° C. measured according to ASTM D256 from 15 to 400 J/m.

Abstract: A polymeric composition may include a thermoplastic polymer including: at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, C2-C12 olefins, and combinations thereof; and a dynamic crosslinking group; and a dynamic crosslinking system to dynamically crosslink the thermoplastic polymer.