Abstract: A deformable composite that composite can be used as a liner in a screw cap or as an interference stopper and which contains one or more film layers to control oxygen permeation characterised in that the inverse of the oxygen permeances of in the individual sections of the deformable composite when added together fall between 300 to 1500 preferably 1250 days.atm/ml. This is calculated using the formula 1/P1+1/P2+1/P3+1/P4 . . . +1/Px=Y Where P is the oxygen permeance of each section of the composite in ml/day 1 to x depicts each individual section of the x sections of the composite Y is between 300 to 1500 preferably 1250 days.atm/ml. In a second aspect the outer closure body is perforated to give the outer body an inverse of the gas permeance less than 300 (days/atm/ml). The formula used is 1/(Pl+Ps) <1/Pob Where P is the oxygen permeance of each section in ml/day I depicts the liner s depicts the seal between the liner and the glass bottle ob depicts outer body.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is disclosed having the composition g) from 8 to 80% by weight of a starch modified to include an hydroxyalkyl C2-6 group or modified by reaction with an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxypropylated high amylose starch, a) from 0 to 87.9% of starch, b) from 4 to 11% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of ethylene and vinylalcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten stat of the starch components, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a polyol plasticiser, preferably glycerol, d) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of a C12-22 fatty acid or salt, preferably stearic acid and, e) 0 to 12% added water. The polymers are suitable as biodegradable rigid sheet or flexible film materials for use in packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is disclosed having the composition g) from 8 to 80% by weight of a starch modified to include an hydroxyalkyl C2-6 group or modified by reaction with an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxypropylated high amylose starch, a) from 0 to 87.9% of starch, b) from 4 to 11% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of ehtylene and vinylalcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten state of the starch components, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a polyol plasticiser, preferably glycerol, d) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of a C12-22 fatty acid or salt, preferably stearic acid and, e) 0 to 12% added water. The polymers are suitable as biodegradable rigid sheet or flexible film materials for use in packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is disclosed having the composition g) from 8 to 80% by weight of a starch modified to include an hydroxyalkyl C2-6 group or modified by reaction with an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxypropylated high amylose starch, a) from 0 to 87.9% of starch, b) from 4 to 11% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of ethylene and vinylalcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten stat of the starch components, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a polyol plasticiser, preferably glycerol, d) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of a C12-22 fatty acid or salt, preferably stearic acid and, e) 0 to 12% added water. The polymers are suitable as biodegradable rigid sheet or flexible film materials for use in packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: A multilayer material useful for packaging is disclosed, comprising a foam core comprising compressed foamed starch and a facing layer bonded to a surface of the foam core. A method of making the multilayer material is also disclosed, comprising forming a core of foamed starch, compressing the foamed starch core and bonding a facing layer to a surface of the foamed starch core. Apparatus for making the multilayer material is also disclosed, comprising a first station for supplying foamed starch pieces to a transport surface, a second station, downstream of the first station, for applying a bonding agent to the surfaces of the foamed starch pieces, a compressor for compressing the foamed starch pieces downstream of the second station; and a bonder for bonding a facing layer to at least one surface of the compressed foamed starch.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for making a biodegradable material are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an extruder for forming a foamed starch rod and a heated die for modifying the rod. The rod is fed through the heated die by feeding rollers. A bonding agent application station is located downstream of the heated die and upstream of a packing unit. The method comprises forming a foamed starch rod by extrusion and passing the rod through a heated die. The rods may be formed into sheets or blocks by cutting, the application of bonding agent and adhering the cut rods together.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer is disclosed having the composition g) from 8 to 80% by weight of a starch modified to include an hydroxyalkyl C2-6 group or modified by reaction with an anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably hydroxypropylated high amylose starch, a) from 0 to 87.9% of starch, b) from 4 to 11% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinylacetate, polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers of ethylene and vinylalcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten stat of the starch components, c) from 0 to 20% by weight of a polyol plasticiser, preferably glycerol, d) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of a C12-22 fatty acid or salt, preferably stearic acid and, e) 0 to 12% added water. The polymers are suitable as biodegradable rigid sheet or flexible film materials for use in packaging foodstuffs.

Abstract: A range of extruded polymers incorporating synthetic furanones was manufactured and field tested. Polymers incorporating furanones showed excellent antifouling efficacy and significantly reduced fouling for more than 100 days. The present inventors have developed polymers that release commercial short-lived biocides or analogues of antifouling compounds isolated from marine algae. A range of polymers incorporating either the commercial isothiazolone Sea-Nine 211™ or a halogenated furanone were effective antifouling treatments in laboratory and field trials. The efficacy of the polymers was dependant on polymer type and the initial concentration of the antifouling compound. The polymers can be extruded as filaments that can be woven into netting or extruded or molding for other applications.

Abstract: Controlled permeability films are provided wherein spherical and/or nonporous filler particles having a size greater than the intrinsic thickness of the film are incorporated in a film forming polymer and the film is treated to reduce the carbon dioxide to oxygen permeability ratio of the film. The film can be a multilayer film of polyolefin polymers or copolymers and polyesters. A further embodiment provides a packaging film comprising an outer layer of a styrene-butadiene copolymer to impart clarity, stiffness, crinkle feeling and glossy finish; an internal layer of a barrier film containing inert preferably spherical filler particles larger than the packaging film thickness; and an inner layer of an ethylene alpha-olefin manufactured by the single-site catalyst technology. The nonporous particles are transparent glass so that the multi-layer film has good clarity. The barrier film is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and the loading of filler particles is about 0.1%.

Abstract: A controlled permeability film and process for producing same wherein the film includes: a film forming polyolefin polymer; and an inert porous filler in an amount effective to reduce the ratio of the carbon dioxide permeability and water permeability to the oxygen permeability of the film, wherein the filler has a particle size greater than the intrinsic film thickness of the film forming polymer; the controlled permeability film being further modified to reduce the CO.sub.2 /O.sub.2 permeability ratio to approximately 0.5 to 2.0.