Abstract: Embodiments of polylactide based compositions are disclosed herein. The compositions may comprise at least one first polymer selected from polylactide-polybutadiene (PLA-PB) block copolymer, polylactide-urethane-polybutadiene block copolymer, or a mixture thereof; and at least one second polymer selected from polylactide, polylactide-urethane, or a mixture thereof. The composition may also comprise from 20% to 50% by weight of said first polymer based on the total weight of the composition and from 50% to 80% by weight of said second polymer based on the total weight of the composition. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a process for preparing the polylactide based compositions and articles comprising the polylactide compositions.

Abstract: A method of producing lactic acid includes removing glycerol from an aqueous lactic acid solution containing glycerol as an impurity using an ion-exchange resin. The lactic acid can be separated simply and at low cost from an aqueous lactic acid solution containing glycerol as an impurity.

Abstract: Polyolefin-based resin pre-expanded particles include a polyolefin-based resin composition including a polyolefin-based resin, a sterically hindered amine ether flame retardant expressed by the general formula (1): R1NHCH2CH2CH2NR2CH2CH2NR3CH2CH2CH2NHR4 (1), and a phosphoric ester. The polyolefin-based resin pre-expanded particles are flame retardant polyolefin-based resin pre-expanded particles that can have good in-mold expansion moldability and exhibit excellent flame resistance compared to the conventional pre-expanded particles even when molded into a sample having a higher density or a larger thickness without using a halogen flame retardant, and that do not generate harmful gas during burning.