Abstract: The invention provides a fibre-reinforced polymer composite comprising fibres derived from mammalian hair and/or feathers, wherein the fibres have been prepared by means of a process comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting mammalian hair and/or feathers to an oxidation treatment in which the hair and/or feathers (is) are contacted with a solution, which comprises a bleaching agent; (b) separating the oxidised hair and/or feathers from the solution; and (c) drying the separated hair and/or feathers. The invention further provides processes to prepare said composite, a process to prepare said fibres, and shaped polymer products comprising said composite.

Abstract: Starch can be gelatinised more efficiently by a thermomechanical treatment, if a dialdehyde polysaccharide with a relatively low degree of oxidation is added to the starch. This thermomechanical treatment can be carried out at a temperature below 115 DEG C., or even below 100 DEG C., and with a high throughput rate. With this treatment a granulate or other semi-finished product is obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. By adding dialdehyde polysaccharide with a low degree of oxidation to starch it is possible to blow transparent films based on thermoplastic starch which have improved mechanical properties.