Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing composite materials from renewable raw materials wherein natural raw materials, especially in fiber form, comprising starch as binder are molded by adding water in accordance with a predetermined temperature and time profile to form boards and molded articles. The advantages of this method reside in said materials being fully biodegradable and free from harmful substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compostable adhesive, to a method of producing the same, and to the use of the adhesive for the adhesive bonding of materials.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture containing at least one biopolymer made from renewable raw materials and a polymer selected from the following materials: an aromatic polyester; a polyester-copolymer with both aliphatic and aromatic blocks; a polyesteramide; a polyglycol; a polyester urethane; and/or mixtures of these components. The preferred renewable raw material is starch, more preferably native starch, most preferably native starch that has been predried.

Abstract: Articles of manufacture which comprise biodegradable fibers and fabrics made therefrom. The fibers are made from starch-based biodegradable thermoplastic polymers, which preferably include a an additional biodegradable thermoplastic polymer blended with thermoplastic starch for improved chemical and physical properties. Threads or fibers for the manufacture of these articles are drawn in a process that improves their mechanical properties, particularly their strength. These threads or fibers can be used in the manufacture of articles that have open, semi-densely packed or densely packed structures.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing thermoplastic starch based on renewable raw materials and, if required, for further processing it into a granulate. A low viscosity starch is modified under a low shearing stress during the extrusion process and leaves the extruder with an increased viscosity in the form of a strip, threads or in other geometrical shapes. The advantages of the invention mainly lie in the improved quality of the starch products, the preservation of the mechanical parts of the extruder installation and the increase of the nominal output of the extruder.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture contains at least one starch biopolymer made from renewable raw materials, a plasticizer, and a polymer selected from the following materials: an aromatic polyester; a polyester-copolymer with both aliphatic and aromatic blocks; a polyesteramide; a polyglycol; a polyester urethane; and/or mixtures of these components.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing composite materials from renewable raw materials wherein natural raw materials, especially in fiber form, comprising starch as binder are molded by adding water in accordance with a predetermined temperature and time profile to form boards and molded articles. The advantages of this method reside in said materials being fully biodegradable and free from harmful substances.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preparing biodegradable films from plant-based raw materials in the form of carbohydrates which method is continuous and carried out in one step. In the process the plant-based raw materials are modified and plastified and the films are prepared without interruption and in one step. The advantages of the invention reside in reduced shear stress of the starch molecules and thus in the improved properties of the films as well as in the cost-efficient, time-, energy- and space-saving manufacture.

Abstract: Gelatinized starch is reacted with sulfamate at elevated temperature in an aqueous medium to give a flame resistant starch-sulfamate product. Suitable sulfamates include alkali-sulfamates and alkaline earth sulfamates. The amount of sulfamate used can be in the range of 3 to 40 percent by weight, based on starch dry substance. Minimum water content of the reaction mixture is about 30 percent by weight. Reaction temperatures are from about 40.degree.-250.degree. C. The starch-sulfamate products are useful as fillers, thickeners and binders, among other things.