Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: A preform for a biodegradable container wherein the preform includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group, wherein the polymer comprises from about 20 to about 99 wt. % of the preform and wherein the monomeric units wherein R1?CH3 comprise 75 to 99 mol percent of the polymer and wherein the preform has a body having a uniform wall thickness throughout the body of the preform. A resin adapted for forming the preform is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable container closure and a method for making the container closure. The biodegradable container closure includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable label and a method for making the label. The biodegradable label includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the label is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable preform, biodegradable containers and a method for making the plastic containers. The biodegradable container wherein the body of the container includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units wherein R1 is CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food contact article. According to one embodiment, the food contact article includes at least one food contact surface. This at least one food contact surface is made up of at least 50 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent of at least one antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing the crystallization rate and/or processing speed of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers. PHA polymers are notorious for slow crystallization rates, reducing the practicality for using PHA for consumer products. Compounds that have similar crystal structures to PHA and have a melting point higher than that of the PHA, such as pentaerythritol, as well as compounds that undergo a crystal structure change at or below the melting point of the polymer, such as sulfur or selenium, act as good crystal nucleators for PHA.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing the crystallization rate and/or processing speed of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers. PHA polymers are notorious for slow crystallization rates, reducing the practicality for using PHA for consumer products. Compounds that have similar crystal structures to PHA and have a melting point higher than that of the PHA, such as pentaerythritol, as well as compounds that undergo a crystal structure change at or below the melting point of the polymer, such as sulfur or selenium, act as good crystal nucleators for PHA.