Abstract: A microorganism which is Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. A method of culturing the microorganism in a culture medium comprising urea or urea derivative is claimed. A nitrile hydratase obtainable from the microorganism is claimed. Also claimed is a process of preparing an amide from the corresponding nitrile wherein the nitrile is subjected to a hydration reaction in an aqueous medium in the presence of a biocatalyst selected from the group consisting of a microorganism which is a Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164, a mutant thereof and a nitrile hydratase obtainable from Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain NCIMB 41164 or a mutant thereof. Also claimed is a method of storing the Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 41164.

Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising treating the suspension with a dewatering amount of a reverse phase polymer, and subjecting the suspension to a mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterized in that the reverse phase polymer only partially inverts to bring about flocculation and thickening of the suspension, and then fully inverts during the further dewatering to form a cake.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, in which the liquor has been subjected to a temperature of at least 50° C., wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterised in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer selected from natural polymers and modified natural polymers having a high anionic charge such that the equivalent weight is below 300, and synthetic polymers formed from at least 50% by weight anionic monomer units.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in which the monomer is obtainable from a biocatalysed reaction or a fermentation process, and wherein the monomer contains cellular material and/or components of a fermentation broth, forming the polymer by polymerizing the ethylenically unsaturated monomer or a monomer mixture comprising the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein there is substantially no removal of the cellular material and/or components of the fermentation broth from the ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A process of producing fermentation product comprising, forming an acidified suspension of particulate plant derived material comprising a first polysaccharide which is more readily hydrolysable and a second polysaccharide which is more difficult to hydrolyse; allowing the first polysaccharide to undergo hydrolysis under conditions such that the first polysaccharide is hydrolysed, thereby forming a mixture of an aqueous liquor containing dissolved sugar and a solid residue containing the second polysaccharide; subjecting the acidic mixture to one or more separation stages in which the solid residue and aqueous sugar liquor are substantially separated from each other; passing the aqueous liquor to a fermentation stage where the dissolved sugars are acted upon by a microorganism in a broth to produce a fermentation product; and separating the fermentation product from the broth, characterised in that the separation stage uses one or more flocculating agent(s) to form a waste by-product.

Abstract: A composition comprising particles which comprise a core material within a polymeric shell, wherein the core material comprises a hydrophobic substance, in which the amount of the polymeric shell forms at least 8% of the total weight of the particles, wherein the polymeric shell comprises a copolymer formed from a monomer blend which comprises, A) 5 to 90% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated water soluble monomer, B) 5 to 90% by weight of a multifunctional monomer, and C) 0 to 55% by weight other monomer, and wherein the amount of the polymeric shell and the proportions of. A, B and C are such that the particles exhibit a half height of at least 350° C. The invention includes a process for the manufacture of particles and the use of particles in articles, such as fabrics, and coating compositions, especially for textiles.

Abstract: A process in which material comprising an aqueous liquid with dispersed particulate solids is transferred as a fluid to a deposition area, then allowed to stand and rigidify, and in which rigidification is improved while retaining the fluidity of the material during transfer, by combining with the material an effective rigidifying amount of aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer. The process is particularly suitable for the treatment of the tailings underflow resulting from a mineral processing operation and the co-disposal of fine and coarse tailings fractions. In addition, liquor released during the rigidification step is of high clarity.

Abstract: A method of producing an amide from the corresponding nitrile comprising the following steps, i) providing a microorganism capable of producing a nitrile hydratase biocatalyst, ii) culturing the microorganism in a growth medium, iii) storing the microorganism, iv) contacting the nitrile by the microorganism in an aqueous medium and thereby converting the nitrile to the amide, wherein the microorganism is stored as none actively growing free cells in a storage medium that comprises water. The stored microorganism may be as whole microbial cells, this may be in the form of a cell paste recovered from a fermentation medium; an aqueous suspension of the microbial cells, prepared using a suitable suspending medium such as water, physiological saline solution, or a suitable buffer solution, such as phosphate or comprises the fermentation broth that contains components of the fermentation culture medium and products of microbial culture.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the composition and use of substantially water-soluble amphoteric (co)polymers as co-binders for paper and paperboard coating applications.

Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising treating the suspension with a dewatering amount of a reverse phase polymer, and subjecting the suspension to a mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterised in that the reverse phase polymer only partially inverts to bring about flocculation and thickening of the suspension, and then fully inverts during the further dewatering to form a cake.

Abstract: A process of dewatering aqueous suspension employing a flocculating system comprising treating the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant and a dewatering amount of a second flocculant, and subjecting the suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, wherein the first flocculant brings about flocculation and assists thickening of the suspension and the second flocculant is a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension is a water-soluble or water swellable particulate polymer having a particle diameter of at least 20 microns.

Abstract: A biocatalytic method for the synthesis of 2-(N,N-dimethyl amino)ethanol and/or choline esters of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid comprising reacting 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethanol and/or choline with acrylyl-CoA and/or methacrylyl-coA in the presence of a biocatalyst with choline acetyltransferase activity. The acrylyl-CoA and/or the methacrylyl CoA is formed by the reaction of acrylate and/or methacrylate with coenzyme A in the presence of ATP and a biocatalyst with S-acetyl coenzyme A synthetase activity.

Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension comprising dosing the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant to form a thickened suspension and mixing into the thickened suspension a dewatering amount of a second flocculant and subjecting the thickened suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, characterised in that the second flocculant comprises a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension in the form of (i) substantially dry polymer particles or (ii) an aqueous composition comprising dissolved or hydrated polymer having a polymer concentration of at least 2% by weight and having a intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g.

Abstract: A process of dewatering an aqueous suspension employing a flocculating system comprising treating the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant and a dewatering amount of a second flocculant, and subjecting the suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, wherein the first flocculant brings about flocculation and assists thickening of the suspension and the second flocculant further dewaters the suspension, characterized in that the second flocculant is a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension in the form of aqueous composition comprising dissolved or hydrated polymer having a Brookfield viscosity of above 30,000 cps (measured at 20° C.).

Abstract: A polymer comprising i) a synthetic polymeric component that has been formed from an ethylenically unsaturated water-soluble or potentially water-soluble monomer and an ethylenically unsaturated monomer carrying a reactive group, wherein the reactive group is directly reactive with a cellulose binding domain protein; and ii) a protein component consisting of a cellulose binding domain protein, wherein the cellulose binding domain protein. The polymer is particularly suitable as a dry strength resin in a paper making process. It can also be used as a wet strength resin, internal sizing agent or surface sizing agent.

Abstract: Polymeric particles comprising a polymeric matrix and colourant distributed throughout the matrix, wherein the polymeric matrix that has been formed from a blend of monomers comprising a first monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated ionic monomer and a second monomer which is an ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer which is capable of forming a homopolymer of glass transition temperature in excess of 50° C., and in which the first monomer is a salt of a volatile counterion component, characterized in that the polymeric matrix is impermeable to the colourant The particles obtainable by the process of the invention can be used in a variety of industrial processes, for instance in the manufacture of inks, paper and cosmetics.

Abstract: A polymeric surfactant formed by the reaction of an oligomeric or polymeric substrate with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the reaction is conducted in the presence of a type II photo initiator and by the action of actinic radiation. The polymeric surfactant is useful for stabilising the interface in emulsions or dispersions.

Abstract: A method of reducing unreacted monomer in a water-soluble or water swellable polymer comprising the steps, i) applying an ultraviolet initiator to the surface of the polymer and ii) irradiating the polymer with ultraviolet light, wherein the ultraviolet initiator is dissolved or dispersed in a liquid medium and in which the liquid medium comprises an organic compound. The method is useful for reducing in the amount of unreacted acrylamide in polyacrylamide. Also claimed is a liquid initiator composition comprising, i) an ultraviolet initiator, and ii) a liquid medium comprising an organic compound. The initiator system is useful for applying to the surface of a polymer, such as polyacrylamide, in the removal of unreacted monomer, such as acrylamide.

Abstract: A process of separating suspended solids from a fermentation liquor by subjecting the liquor to a solids-liquid separation stage, wherein the fermentation liquor is produced in a fermentation process for the production of a fermentation product, and which liquor comprises lignin, wherein the solids-liquid separation stage is assisted by a treatment system, characterized in that the treatment system comprises an anionic polymer, with the proviso that the treatment system and does not include a cationic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of at least 4 dl/g.

Abstract: A process of preparing a liquid reaction product in a column reactor, which reactor comprises a space between coaxial tubular interior surfaces comprising an inner interior surface and an outer interior surface, comprising the steps, a) feeding the liquid precursor reactant material through an inlet port in the outer interior surface, b) flowing the liquid precursor material through the space between the outer interior surface and the inner interior surface, c) subjecting the liquid precursor material in step (b) to reaction conditions to form the liquid reaction product, d) passing the liquid polymer composition through an outlet port in the outer interior surface, characterised in that the distance of the inner internal surface and the outer interior surface is less than 20 mm and the ratio of the cross-sectional diameter (D?) of the inner interior surface to the cross-sectional diameter (D?) of the outer interior surface is at least 0.8:1.