Abstract: A high molecular weight polyester-amide block copolymer is produced by reacting a mixture of lower molecular weight polyester and polyamide in the melt with a carbonyl bislactam, especially carbonyl biscaprolactam. The higher molecular weight block copolymer may be obtained in as short a time as 2 minutes, whereas, at least about 10 minutes is required in a conventional process, under comparable conditions, using a bislactam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear or branched polymer containing ester groups and at least one amidegroup in the backbone, having hydroxyalkylamide end groups and having a weight average molecular mass of ≧800 g/mol. The invention also relates to an entirely or partly modified polymer. The polymer according to the invention can for example be obtained by reaction of a cyclic anhydride and an alkanolamine to form a &bgr;-hydroxyalkylamide, after which a polyesteramide is obtained through polycondensation. The polymers according to the invention can, for example, be used in thermosetting powder-paint compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide, the preparation being effected in whole or in part in a vertical combi-reactor. The gas stream leaving the stripper is fed to the condenser section of a vertical combi-reactor in which this gas stream is wholly or partially condensed in the carbamate stream which is transferred from the scrubber section to the condenser section via a downcomer. Ammonia and carbon dioxide are partially converted into urea in this condenser section of the combi-reactor. The urea conversion is completed in the reaction section of the combi-reactor.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of &egr;-caprolactam comprising treating 6-aminocaproic acid 6-aminocaproate ester, 6-aminocaproamide, oligomers or polymers of these compounds or mixtures comprising at least two of these compounds in a cyclisation reactor in the presence of superheated steam in which a gaseous product stream comprising &egr;-caprolactam, lights and heavies is obtained, wherein the product stream, after condensation and at least partial removal of water and lights, is split into a &egr;-caprolactam stream and a heavies stream containing heavies and &egr;-caprolactam and the heavies stream is recycled to a cyclisation reactor.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition is disclosed. An fluorinated oligomer is combined with a diluent monomer and a photoinitiator to form the radiation-curable coating composition. The fluorinated oligomer is substantially free of isocyanate groups. The radiation-curable compositions provide a suitable coating for substrates, are resistant to penetration by water and liquid hydrocarbons, retain their physical properties over a wide temperature range and exhibit immeasurably low surface friction properties.

Abstract: Provided is a radiation-curable, inner primary coating composition adapted for forming inner primary coatings on optical glass fibers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear or branched polymer containing ester groups and at least one amide group in the backbone, having hydroxyalkylamide end groups and having a weight average molecular mass of ≧800 g/mol. The invention also relates to an entirely or partly modified polymer. The polymer according to the invention can for example be obtained by reaction of a cyclic anhydride and an alkanolamine to form a &bgr;-hydroxyalkylamide, after which a polyesteramide is obtained through polycondensation. The polymers according to the invention can, for example, be used in thermosetting powder-paint compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear or branched polymer containing ester groups and at least one amidegroup in the backbone, having hydroxyalkylamide end groups and having a weight average molecular mass of ≧800 g/mol. The invention also relates to an entirely or partly modified polymer.

Abstract: Methods are provided for improved production of hIL-3 either in glycosylated form from mammalian and yeast cells or in unglycosylated form from prokaryotes. Recombinantly produced human IL-3 is purified in a series of steps, initially employing hydrophobic interaction, followed by ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of olefins with a catalyst comprising a metallocene compound according to the formula and an aluminoxane comprising 0,5 to 15 mol % trialkylaluminium. Preferably the aluminoxane is methylaluminoxane and the trialkylaluminium is trimethylaluminium. The metallocene compound and/or the aluminoxane can be supported on a carrier material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition of a thermoplastic segmented polyetherester copolymer with a strongly improved thermooxidative stability, consisting of 1) a segmented polyetherester copolymer derived from terephthalic acid or naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, or an ester thereof, alkylene diol, polypropylene oxide glycol, which contains ethylene oxide end groups, and optionally a branching agent; 2) an effective amount of a stabilizer combination containing at least (2a) at least one thermooxidative stabilizer chosen from the group of phenolic antioxidants and (2b) at least one thermooxidative stabilizer chosen from the group of aromatic amines. 3) optionally other additives. The composition is particularly suitable for application at high ambient temperatures and for applications in which the product obtained from the composition must over a long period be able to withstand deformations of at least 50% without fracturing and is in contact with metal.

Abstract: A fast curing radiation-curable composition useful as coating compositions for inner and outer primary coatings, inks, ribbons other matrix material coating layers for coating and surrounding optical fibers. The improved radiation-curable compositions, having a propoxylated monomer or oligomer component, demonstrate unexpectedly fast cure speeds while providing strong adhesion characteristics to a variety of substrates and can also be used as a general radiation-curable adhesive or can be adapted for use in the specialized process of digital versatile disk (DVD) production.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for obtaining enzymatically hydrolyzed proteinaceous material for human consumption. The process involves the use of essentially only one exopeptidase, in combination with one or more suitable endopeptidase, to obtain improved base characteristics and process economics under conditions which minimize microbial contamination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing an improved antifungal composition containing an antifungal compound of the polyene type such as natamycin wherein the antifungal compound is incorporated into the composition in a form which shows an enhanced activity, e.g. in the form of a solution and/or being in a modified polymorphic form.

Abstract: Salt of a 1,3,5-triazine compound with polyphosphoric acid with a virtually linear structure, with the number average degree of condensation n being higher than 20, the content of the 1,3,5-triazine compound being higher than 1.1 mole per mole of phosphorus atom and the pH of a 10% slurry in water being higher than 4.5. Further, a process for the preparation of the polyphosphate salt of a 1,3,5-triazine compound with a number average degree of condensation n that is higher than 20, by converting a 1,3,5-triazine compound with orthophosphoric acid at room temperature into the phosphate of the 1,3,5-triazine compound, after which this salt is converted at elevated temperature into a polyphosphate of the 1,3,5-triazine compound, and further flame retardant polymer compositions comprising the polyphosphate salt of a 1,3,5-triazine compound with a number average degree of condensation n higher than 20.

Abstract: An improved process for production of an N-acylated cephalosporin is described. The process utilizes an Acremonium strain which has been modified to express an acyl transferase of a filamentous fungus and is selected for production of the N-acylated cephalosporin at a level which is equal to or higher than the production of the corresponding &agr;-aminoadipyl-7-cephalosporins in the strain.

Abstract: A photocurable resin composition suitable for photo-fabrication. The resin composition capable of being promptly cured by photo-irradiation, thereby reducing fabricating time and providing cured products having excellent mechanical strength and minimized shrinkage during curing to ensure high dimensional accuracy. The composition includes (A) an oxetane compound, (B) an epoxy compound, and (C) a cationic photo-initiator.

Abstract: Optical fiber coatings are disclosed having excellent ribbon stripping and adhesion behavior. The coatings are radiation-curable. The excellent stripping and adhesion behavior can be achieved by several means which include by use of additives, by use of radiation-curable oligomers having higher molecular weight, or by use of coatings having certain thermal properties. Combination of means can be employed. Stripping behavior can be measured by crack propagation and fiber friction measurements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a condensation polymer having at least one carboxylic acid end group connected to an alkylamide group via an ester linkage.

Abstract: A radiation-curable composition for optical fiber coatings comprising about 10 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of at least one radiation-curable oligomer (A), about 10 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of at least one radiation-curable monomer diluent (B), and an effective amount of at least one photoinitiator (C) represented by formula (1): wherein Ar1 to Ar3 are aromatic groups which may have one or more substitution groups.