Abstract: Method for producing shaped polymeric microparticles of non-spherical shape, comprising the steps of: placing one or more microparticles of substantially spherical shape in a respective micro-cavity of a mould having the desired non-spherical shape; subjecting said microparticles to softening by exposure to a solvent or mixture of solvent/non-solvent, in the liquid or vapour state, adapted to plasticize the polymeric material constituting said microparticles, and possibly assisting the solvent plasticization process by heat treatment, not excluding the possibility, in less critical cases in terms of conservation of the microstructure, of carrying out heat treatment exclusively, at a temperature not exceeding 40% of the glass transition temperature of the polymer material; and removing said microparticles from the mould cavities.

Abstract: Process for the production of a polymer foam with use of hydrogel pearls as porosity generating template, comprising the steps of:—providing a matrix of polymer or prepolymer in viscous state including, as a dispersed phase, hydrogel pearls, where said pearls are dispersed in said matrix so as to generate intercommunicating cells,—causing the solidification of the matrix of polymer or prepolymer to obtain said polymer foam including said hydrogel pearls, characterised in that it comprises the operation of subjecting the thus obtained foam to conditions which cause the dehydration of said hydrogel pearls so as to obtain a reduction of volume of said pearls and—removing the dehydrated pearls by immersion in water of the polymer foam or by exposure of the foam to a flow of pressurized gas or water.