Abstract: Toughened polyolefins and methods used to produce toughened polyolefins in presence of a bio-filler. These materials can substitute traditional thermoplastic polyolefins known as TPOs or mineral filled TPOs. Exemplary compositions include a phase based on ?-olefin elastomers and the use of biobased fillers. The bio-based filler used, can be a material rich in elemental carbon content. The use of additives is of regular usage for these compositions as they may be related to coupling agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, and so forth. These composition offer a remarkable lower density compared to traditional TPOs compositions altogether with bio-based value-performance addition.

Abstract: A polycarbonate (PC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend comprising (a) Bisphenol A PC, (b) PLA, (c) a chain extender, and (d) a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized polyolefin copolymer/terpolymer and method of manufacturing the PC and PLA blend, including blending (i) Bisphenol A PC, (ii) PLA, (iii) a chain extender, and (iv) a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized polyolefin copolymer/terpolymer at an elevated temperature, wherein the elevated temperature is between about 250 and 300° C.

Abstract: Toughened polyolefins and methods used to produce toughened polyolefins in presence of a bio-filler. These materials can substitute traditional thermoplastic polyolefins known as TPOs or mineral filled TPOs. Exemplary compositions include a phase based on ?-olefin elastomers and the use of biobased fillers. The bio-based filler used, can be a material rich in elemental carbon content. The use of additives is of regular usage for these compositions as they may be related to coupling agents, UV absorbers, light stabilizers, antioxidants, and so forth. These composition offer a remarkable lower density compared to traditional TPOs compositions altogether with bio-based value-performance addition.

Abstract: A polycarbonate (PC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend comprising (a) Bisphenol A PC, (b) PLA, (c) a chain extender, and (d) a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized polyolefin copolymer/terpolymer and method of manufacturing the PC and PLA blend, including blending (i) Bisphenol A PC, (ii) PLA, (iii) a chain extender, and (iv) a glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) functionalized polyolefin copolymer/terpolymer at an elevated temperature, wherein the elevated temperature is between about 250 and 300° C.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition is particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Specific polymer blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly-(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) as a fatty acid quaternary ammonium modified clay. The blends are particularly useful for barrier packaging.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition is particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Blended compositions and methods for the production of thermoset compositions of soy meal, which has been treated to remove non-thermoplastic materials associated with soy beans, and natural rubber. Also provided is a method for the preparation of a prepared granular soy meal by blowing a gas through a stream of granular natural soy meal to remove hulls and cellulose fiber materials which are lighter than the granular soy meal to provide the prepared granular soy meal for the compositions. The compositions are elastic and can be used in place of rubber bands and the like.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition s particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Specific polymer blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly-(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) as a fatty acid quaternary ammonium modified clay. The blends are particularly useful for barrier packaging.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymer composition reinforced with fibers such as cellulose or other fillers, particularly from natural sources, and a process for manufacturing the composition are disclosed. The polymer is extruded with a salt which reduces the melting point and pelletized. The pellets are then extruded again with the filler. The composition with the filler can then be melted at the reduced melting temperature to manufacture an article.

Abstract: Compositions of biodegradable polymers and hyperbranched dendritic polymer (HBP) are described. The compositions can also include anhydride modified HBP. The resulting compositions have superior elongation at break and can be as cast or blown films for packaging, for example.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of natural fiber and polymer composites is described. Thermoplastically processed plasticized soy flour based plastics are used with thermoplastic polymers. Polymers of soy flour and an in situ polymerized polyvinyl polymer which links proteins and carbohydrates in the flour to form the polymer are used. The composites are useful in engineering materials.

Abstract: Toughened compositions from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), preferably PHB reactively blended with maleated poly butadiene and with an epoxidized natural or synthetic rubber are described. The compositions preferably include clay nanoparticles which can be organically modified and can be exfoliated by the blend. The compositions can be used in a variety of applications, including automotive uses.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: A bioadhesive composition from distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) is produced by reaction with an aqueous solution of a base, particularly, sodium hydroxide. Optionally, urea is included with the base. The bioadhesive composition is filtered as a solution from the residue of the reaction with the base. The bioadhesive composition s particularly useful as a boxboard glue.

Abstract: Polymeric materials and products, including sheet flooring materials prepared from the polymeric materials, and processes for preparing the polymeric materials, are disclosed. The polymeric materials include a polylactic acid-based polymer in combination with plasticizer and a compatibilizer, and optionally include a filler. The polymeric material can include between about 30 to about 50 percent by weight polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene glycol, polyglycolide, ethylene vinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxyalkanoates, or polyolefins modified with polar groups, for example, ionomers. The plasticizer is typically an epoxidized vegetable oil or esterified and epoxidized vegetable oil and is typically present in an amount of between about 10 and about 50% by weight. In some embodiments, the compatibilizer is a polyolefin modified with one or more polar functional groups, and is typically present in an amount of between about 5 and about 10% by weight.

Abstract: A polymer composition of cellulose esters, plasticizer, a cellulose linked anhydride as a compatibilizer and organically modified clay. The composites have superior tensile and flexural strengths, modulus, dimensional stability and heat deflection temperature (HDT).

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite structural members comprising polymers, natural and synthetic fibers, and nano-scale platelets arranged in two- or three-dimensional cellular skeletal structure; more particularly referring to a low-cost natural-fiber based structural member with material hybridization and material layout for improved behavior that leads to efficient structural beam and plate/panel components that can be used in a plurality of modular structures, resulting in lower cost and reduced environmental impact.

Abstract: A Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) as prepregs and cured compositions with naturally derived fibers which have been dried for at least three hours is described. The SMC process combines polyester polymer or resin with the fibers preferably continuously. The molded products are useful for a variety a purposes where glass fiber filled polyester polymers are conventionally used.