Abstract: Biodegradable foamed articles having density comprised from 5 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 obtained by agglomeration of foamed particles having composition comprising a thermoplastic starchy material or a thermoplastic natural polymer capable of absorbing water when converted into the thermoplastic state, a thermoplastic polymer, and water.

Abstract: In order to prepare a starch-based composition usable for the production of articles of biodegradable plastics material, a starch is mixed in a heated extruder with a high-boiling plasticizer and a destructuring agent for a time sufficient to cause the starch to be destructured, in dependence on the destructuring agent used, at a temperature below the boiling point of the plasticizer used and between 120.degree. and 170.degree. C.The composition thus obtained is particularly suitable for the formulation of polymer mixtures with polymers which have relatively high melting points, since it can be processed at temperatures higher than 120.degree. C. and is suitable for extrusion at low pressure with these polymers.

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) with a high molecular weight is produced by the polycondensation reaction of the free monomer carried out in the presence of a catalytically effective quantity of iron ions. High molecular weight poly(lactic acid) and lactide are obtained as the principal products.

Abstract: A selectively-permeable membrane constituted by a composition comprising starch and a synthetic thermoplastic polymer is used for separating liquid aqueous-organic mixtures by pervaporation.

Abstract: Thin-walled biodegradable starch-based articles, particularly sheets of film including at least one first layer of polymeric material including starch and at least one second layer of hydrophobic material, are characterized in that the second layer includes a natural or synthetic wax or mixture of waxes.

Abstract: The film-forming polymeric compositions described include a synthetic, thermoplastic polymer and a starchy material, with a high amylopectin content; they enable the production of films, sheets and the like having good liquid- and gas-barrier effects and improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: The method of producing plasticized polyvinyl alcohol by mixing polyvinyl alcohol in the presence of an organic plasticizer and water in a quantity which is insufficient to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol under normal conditions, includes the steps of:i) pre-plasticizing the polyvinyl alcohol at a maximum temperature no higher than its softening point so as to produce a pre-plasticized polyvinyl alcohol having a melting point below the softening point of the polyvinyl alcohol used, andii) further processing the pre-plasticized polyvinyl alcohol thus produced at a temperature above its melting point, under shear-stress conditions and for a period of time to produce a substantially homogeneous melt.

Abstract: In order to prepare a starch-based composition usable for the production of articles of biodegradable plastics material, a starch is mixed in a heated extruder with a high-boiling plasticizer and a destructuring agent for a time sufficient to cause the starch to be destructured, in dependence on the destructuring agent used, at a temperature below the boiling point of the plasticizer used and between 120.degree. and 170.degree. C.The composition thus obtained is particularly suitable for the formulation of polymer mixtures with polymers which have relatively high melting points, since it can be processed at temperatures higher than 120.degree. C. and is suitable for extrusion at low pressure with these polymers.

Abstract: The biodegradable polymeric compositions comprise a starch based component and a polymeric component comprising polymers of hydroxyacids or mixtures thereof with polymers deriving from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, particularly polymers of ethylene-vinylalcohol or polyvinylalcohol.

Abstract: Biodegradable compositions comprising destructured starch and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer are prepared by mixing the starch and the copolymer in an extruder heated to a temperature of between 80.degree. and 180.degree. C. and bringing the water content to below 6% and any ammonia content to below 0.2% by weight. The composition fed to the extruder may optionally include up to 40% by weight of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer, as well as a starch destructuring agent and a high boiling plasticizer.

Abstract: A laminated film including at least one first layer of a polymeric material which has a starchy matrix and is insoluble in water or at most expands in water, constituted by destructured starch and an olefinic copolymer and a second layer of a hydrophobic material adhering to the first. Applications are for the packaging of food products and for colostomy containers, for which a very effective barrier against gases and vapours is needed.

Abstract: Expanded articles of biodegradable plastic material having a closed pore structure and a density of from 0.01 to less than 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 are produced by extrusion of a composition including starch and a synthetic polymer selected from ethylene-vinyl alcohol, ethylene-acrylic acid, and mixture thereof.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric composition including starch, at least one synthetic thermoplastic polymer and a plasticiser in which the plasticiser is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:a) polyols formed by from 1 to 20 repeating hydroxylated units each including from 2 to 6 carbon atoms, provided that when the polyol is formed by only one repeating unit it has at least 4 carbon atoms, with the exclusion of sorbitol,b) ethers, thioethers, inorganic and organic esters, acetals and amino-derivatives of polyols formed by from 1 to 20 repeating hydroxylated units each including from 2 to 6 carbon atoms with the exclusion of acetic esters of glycerine, triethyl citrate and tributyl citrate,c) polyol reaction products having from 1 to 20 repeating hydroxylated units each including from 2 to 6 carbon atoms with chain extenders;d) polyol oxidation products having from 1 to 20 repeating hydroxylated units each including from 2 to 6 carbon atoms including at least one aldehydic or carboxylic functi

Abstract: Expanded articles of biodegradable plastics are produced by the extrusion of a composition including starch, a polymer compatible with starch, in particular, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and/or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and an expanding agent. Preferably use is made of sodium bicarbonate as expanding agent in the presence of a polymeric acid.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as diapers and the like, comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said topsheet and an absorbent core positioned between said topsheet and said backsheet, said backsheet comprising a flexible starch based film comprising starch, a synthetic thermoplastic polymer of at least one ethylenically insaturated monomer, said polymer having repeating units provided with at least a polar group, wherein the starch and the polymer form an at least partially interpenetrated network, and moisture.

Abstract: Formed articles comprising destructurized starch, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and a product of the interaction of starch and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer wherein the starch not bound to the copolymer is in the form of particles having sizes below 1 micron. The water content of such articles is lower than the one usually present in the starch. Said formed articles can also contain urea in an amount no higher than 30% by weight and/or ammonia in an amount not higher than 0.5% by weight. The process for obtaining such articles comprises the steps of extruding starch, an ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer and optionally water, urea and/or ammonia at a temperature ranging from 90.degree. to 150.degree. C., reducing the water content to values lower than 6% by weight and injection molding or extrusion blowing the resulting composition.

Abstract: Polymer compositions useful for the production of articles of biodegradable plastics material with improved biodegradability include destructed starch and a polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol and mixtures thereof wherein at least a portion of the said polymer is modified by the substitution of from 0.1 to 5 molar % of the functional alcohol groups in the polymer chain by X groups in which X is an oxo or an alkyl carbonyl group in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The material, which is usable for the production of biodegradable articles in film, sheet or fiber form, can be produced by extrusion from a molten mass including a synthetic thermoplastic polymer and a destructured starch to which a boron containing compound, such as boric acid, metaboric acid, borax and derivatives thereof has been added. Articles made of this material have improved transparency, Young's modulus and tear strength.

Abstract: Process for the continuous manufacture of thermomoldable thermoplastic composite materials comprising feeding simultaneously on a conveyor belt a granulated thermoplastic polymer together with a reinforcement selected from natural, artificial and synthetic fibers, and compacting and heating under pressure the thus-obtained mixture.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: M is an alkali or alkaline-earth metal or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl group;X is a group selected from --CH.sub.2 --, --CO--, --CH.sub.2 --CO--, --CH(CH.sub.3)--CO--,p is 0 or 1;Ar is a simple or condensed aromatic ring or Ar represents two or more aromatic nuclei bonded either by a simple bond or by an --O--, --S--, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO--, --CO--, --CS--, or --NH-- group;y is H or CH.sub.3 ;m is 1 when Y=--CH.sub.3, or an integer from 1 to 5 (including both values) when Y=H; n is a number ranging from 1 to 500 (including both values); andZ is H; a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl; benzyl; glycidyl; acetyl; allyl; --CO--NH--R or --CO--NH--R.sub.1 --NCO group.