Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing polymer beads incorporating solid particles and to the novel polymer beads per se. The invention provides a process for producing polymer beads incorporating solid particulate material, which process comprises producing a dispersion having a dispersed phase including one or more monomers also including solid particulate material, and causing said one or more monomers to undergo a polymerisation reaction to form said polymer beads, wherein said dispersion further includes a solid phase dispersing agent for dispersing solid particles of material in the dispersed phase and wherein said solid phase dispersing agent reacts with at least one monomer to thereby become chemically incorporated in said polymer. The polymer beads comprise a polymer matrix having solid particulate material dispersed substantially uniformly therein and wherein the polymer matrix incorporates a solid phase dispersing agent chemically reacted into the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing polymer beads incorporating solid particles and to the novel polymer beads per se. The invention provides a process for producing polymer beads incorporating solid particulate material, which process comprises producing a dispersion having a dispersed phase including one or more monomers also including solid particulate material, and causing said one or more monomers to undergo a polymerization reaction to form said polymer beads, wherein said dispersion further includes a solid phase dispersing agent for dispersing solid particles of material in the dispersed phase and wherein said solid phase dispersing agent reacts with at least one monomer to thereby become chemically incorporated in said polymer. The polymer beads comprise a polymer matrix having solid particulate material dispersed substantially uniformly therein and wherein the polymer matrix incorporates a solid phase dispersing agent chemically reacted into the polymeric matrix.

Abstract: Clones are disclosed comprising at least part of a DNA sequence of a gene encoding maize acetyl CoA carboxylase, or a sequence showing substantial homology therewith, flanked by heterologous DNA. DNA from such clones may be used to isolate similar sequences in other plants. Such sequences may be used to transform plants to give a variety of useful effects, including resistance to herbicides such as fluazifop, and modified oil-bearing properties.

Abstract: Active hydrogen containing organic compounds, for example alcohols, thiols, phenols, thiophenols, carboxylic acids, amides and amines, are alkoxylated, for example, ethoxylated, using catalysts comprising a salt of a Group IIa or Group Ia element and an oxyacid of at least one element chosen from Group IVb, Group Vb or Group VIb, for example, lanthanum titanate, barium titanium, barium strontium titanate, yttrium titanate, lanthanum zirconate, barium zirconate, lanthanum hafnate, barium strontium titanate zirconate and neodymium titanate. The catalyst provide narrow distribution of alkoxylation species and efficient reaction rates.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel alkylpolysaccharide dertivatives including their salts and compositions comprising said alkyl polysaccharides. The alkyl polysaccharide derivatives are of the formula (I): R.sup.1 --(OG).sub.n (X).sub.m, where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a hydrophobic moiety; G is a saccahride residue; and X is a succinic anhydride residue; and n and m are independently chosen from an average value which is between 1 and 200.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to an apparatus and process for mixing and delivering an explosives composition. The apparatus for use in the process comprises a main conduit which can be gas pressurised, a means for introducing a solid particulate phase to the main conduit for transportation by the gas and a means for introducing an emulsion phase into said main conduit such that turbulence of the gas in the main conduit causes uniform mixing of the solid particulate phase and the emulsion phase.

Abstract: A soil resistant aqueous coating composition in which the binder consists of a blend of a low Tg polymeric dispersion and a high Tg polymeric dispersion. The PVC of the composition is less than the critical PVC and the Tg of the low Tg polymer dispersion is less than 0.degree. C. and the Tg of the high Tg polymer dispersion is a least 35.degree. C. and the volume ratio of low Tg polymer dispersion to high Tg polymer dispersion is from 0.4:1 to 1.4:1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of water-dispersible granules which comprises mixing the desired ingredients of the granules to form an extrudable composition, extruding the mixture, and rolling the extrusions to break them down into granules. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for the preparation of water-dispersible granules comprising agricultural chemicals (also known as dry flowables) as the process enables high production rates to be achieved and the products have high suspensibility and rapid dispersion.

Abstract: The application relates to a gas deflecting device for use in the blow loading of emulsion explosives compositions, the gas deflecting device comprising a nozzle which is capable of being removably attached to a blow loading hose, the nozzle comprising at least one vent and at least one vane along its length, the vane being adapted to allow free escape of gas from the nozzle through the vent but inhibit the exit of explosive composition through the vents during blow loading.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## where R, which may be the same or different, is selected from at least one of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl and phenyl, at least one R on each --OCHR--CHR-- unit being hydrogen; where m is an integer selected from 1-100; where n is an integer selected from 8 and 9. The preferred process of preparation is by the reaction of alkylene oxide with linoleyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst which is a Bronsted base. The compounds are useful as reactive surfactants in aqueous emulsion polymerisation processes.

Abstract: A compound of the formula ##STR1## where R, which may be the same or different, is selected from at least one of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl and phenyl, at least one R on each --OCHR--CHR-- unit being hydrogen; where m is an integer selected from 1-100; where n is an integer selected from 8 and 9. The preferred process of preparation is by the reaction of alkylene oxide with linoleyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst which is a Bronsted base.The compounds are useful as reactive surfactants in aqueous emulsion polymerisation processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to the compound 2-[1-(ethoxyimino)propy1]-3-hydroxy-5-(3-butyryl-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-cy clohex-2-en-1-one in the form of an anhydrous crystalline powder and a process for the preparation of said anhydrous crystalline powder.

Abstract: The invention relates to sunscreen compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, substituted benzyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkenyl;R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl and alkoxy;R.sup.3 is selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, benzoyl, substituted phenyl, substituted benzyl, substituted benzoyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, alkanyoyl, substituted alkanoyl, the group OROROR.sup.9 wherein R is a bivalent hydrocarbon radical and R.sup.9 is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl benzyl, substituted phenyl, substituted benzyl;R.sup.4 is alkyl or alkoxy;n is an integer from 0 to 4; andR.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, alkanoyl substituted by hydroxyl or alkoxycarbonyl.

Abstract: The invention embraces compounds of formula ##STR1## and salts thereof, wherein: X and Y are independently selected from various optionally substituted alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyoxy and phenoxy groups;W is oxygen or sulfur;R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl;E is CH or N;R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are independently selected from various halo, alkyl, alkoxy and amino substituents.The compounds of the invention show herbicidal properties particularly for the control of broad leaf plants in grass crops such as wheat. In further embodiments the invention provides processes for the preparation of compounds I, intermediates useful in the preparation of compounds of formula I, compositions containing as active ingredient a compound of formula I and herbicidal and plant growth regulating processes utilizing compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A method of recovering contaminants from suspension or solution in a liquor comprises the steps of forming a foam of the liquor, displacing said foam onto a drainage device to dry said foam and separate the liquor said contaminants being retained in the dried foam and the drained liquor being reduced in contaminant content.

Abstract: The invention relates to the compound 2-[1-(ethoxyimino) propyl]-3-hydroxy-5-(3-butyryl-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-cyclohex-2-en-1-one in the form of an anhydrous crystalline powder and a process for the preparation of said anhydrous crystalline powder.

Abstract: Very small (100 nanometres maximum) non-ionically-stabilised core-sheath addition polymer particles, wherein the core is addition polymer and the sheath polyoxyalkylene chains, at least a portion of which chains are bonded to the core, there being present on each core sufficient chains such that the mass ratio of core to sheath is from 98:2 to 60:40. The particles are prepared by polymerisation in aqueous media initiated at under 40.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment, a seed-feed process is used. The dispersions exhibit excellent rheological characteristics and are useful, for example, as film-formers in coating compositions.

Abstract: An aqueous silicone compound-containing coating composition comprises an addition polymer dispersion and at least one silicone compound, the silicone compound forming part of the disperse phase of a dispersion of multi-polymer particles.The silicone compound may be monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric and it may either be added in existing form or be prepared in situ. The provision of reactive groups on either or both of silicone compound as addition polymer gives cross-linking capacity.An unusally wide variety of silicones can be used in the compositions including some not normally associated with coating compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing ceramic powders suitable for pressing into articles comprises the dispersing of a particulate ceramic, preferably of particle size below 1 .mu.m, in water in the presence of ammonia or an alkylamine having a boiling point below that of water and spray - drying the dispersion to give powders. The process is particularly applicable to zirconia and gives rise to fine, free-flowing powders which can be processed into articles of uniform density.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive comprising a discontinuous oxygen-releasing salt phase, a continuous fuel phase and an emulsifier blend, said emulsifier blend comprising a first emulsifier component consisting of at least one emulsifier comprising a lipophilic moiety, being a polymer of a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 olefin, and a hydrophilic moiety, being derived from an amine wherein the HLB of the first emulsifier component, as herein defined, is in the range of from 1.0 to 1.3 and a second emulsifier component and wherein the HLB of the emulsifier blend, as herein defined is in the range of from 1.4 to 3.0. Compositions of the present invention combine not only ease of formation and long term stability but also provide significant advantages in the refinement of emulsions and exhibit improved tolerance to shear allowing repumping and greater ease of handling.