Abstract: A synthetic fiber is disclosed, formed from a composition which is made of from about 1 to about 98 weight percent of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate; from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of at least one nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of polyester waxes, behenamide, crodamide, stearamide, erucamide, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, boron nitride, and mixtures thereof; and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent of at least one melt flow modifier selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, zinc stearate, starch, diamide oligomers, organic peroxides, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for mitigating polymer degradation in poly(hydroxyalkanoates), which include carboxylic acid end groups and monomeric repeat units which are susceptible to degradation to form unsaturated carboxylic acid by-products. The carboxylic acid end groups are reacted with an end-capping agent selected from the group consisting of carbodiimides, diisocyanates, epoxides, and mixtures thereof, and the poly(hydroxyalkanoates) are also reacted with an acid anhydride to graft side chains onto the poly(hydroxyalkanoates).

Abstract: A method for producing a polyhydroxyalkanoate having a desired weight average molecular weight is disclosed. A dispersion is prepared, which includes polyhydroxyalkanoate having an initial weight average molecular weight and a solvent. A portion of the polyhydroxyalkanoate is then hydrolyzed in the dispersion for a specified reaction time interval so that the weight average molecular weight of the polyhydroxyalkanoate is reduced to a final weight average molecular weight, which is less than the initial weight average molecular weight. The hydrolysis reaction is then quenched so that a polyhydroxyalkanoate having a desired weight average molecular weight is produced.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plastisol composition which includes from about 1 to about 49 weight percent of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate. The plastisol composition also includes from about 51 to about 99 weight percent of at least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of epoxidized vegetable oils, citric acid esters, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof. A screen-printing ink, which includes the plastisol, is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic container for a liquid, comprising a body portion (1) and a neck portion (2). The body portion (1) comprises a body portion wall (3) forming a reservoir adapted to contain the liquid. The neck portion (2) is formed by a neck portion wall (6) that forms an opening (5) for filling the container with liquid and emptying the container. The container body portion wall (3) and the container neck portion wall (6) are made of biodegradable plastics at least the body portion (1) wall being made of a material comprising 40 to 99.9 weight percent of poly hydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The maximum thickness of the neck portion wall (6) is less than 2 mm, and preferably comprised between 1.2 mm and 1.6 mm. This enhances the biodegradability of the whole container.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a tridimensional hollow container for containing an edible product, said container having a body formed of a first polymeric layer formed of poly hydroxyalcanoate (PHA) having a thickness comprised between 50 ?m and 1.5 mm, and wherein: (i) said container body comprises a second layer deposited onto the internal surface of said first layer, and comprising a metalloid, a carbon thin film, or a combination thereof, said second layer having a thickness lower than 100 nm, and (ii) said container body further comprises an intermediate polymeric layer located between said first and second layers, said intermediate layer having a root mean square roughness value (“RMS”) below 20 nm, said intermediate layer having a thickness comprised between 1 and 100 ?m.

Abstract: A biodegradable food service item is disclosed, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. This substrate is made of cellulosic fibers. The food service item also includes a coating applied over the at least one food contact surface. This coating is made up of from about 25 to about 60 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. A method for making the biodegradable food service item is also disclosed.

Abstract: A preform for a biodegradable container wherein the preform includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group, wherein the polymer comprises from about 20 to about 99 wt. % of the preform and wherein the monomeric units wherein R1=CH3 comprise 75 to 99 mol percent of the polymer and wherein the preform has a body having a uniform wall thickness throughout the body of the preform. A resin adapted for forming the preform is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable preform, biodegradable containers and a method for making the plastic containers. The biodegradable container wherein the body of the container includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units wherein R1 is CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the container is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable label and a method for making the label. The biodegradable label includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the label is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable container closure and a method for making the container closure. The biodegradable container closure includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polyester is disclosed which is made up of: (1) from about 15 to about 40 weight percent monomer repeat units of isosorbide; (2) from about 25 to about 60 weight percent monomer repeat units of a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride such as succinic acid or anhydride; and (3) from about 10 to about 20 weight percent monomer repeat units of a polyhydric alcohol such as 1,3-propanediol. In some instances, the polymer may also include monomer repeat units of methyl nadic anhydride or nadic anhydride. A polymer composition is also disclosed, which includes the polyester as well as a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(hydroxyalkanoates), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A biodegradable aqueous dispersion is disclosed, which is made up of from about 35 to about 75 weight percent water and from about 25 to about 65 weight percent of polyhydroxyalkanoates. Also disclosed is a biodegradable food service item, which includes a biodegradable substrate having at least one food contact surface. A coating is applied over the at least one food contact surface, which is formed from the biodegradable aqueous dispersion.

Abstract: A retort food pouch is disclosed, including at least one sidewall and a pouch closure. The sidewall is a multi-layer structure which is made up of: (1) a biodegradable heat-sealable layer which includes polyhydroxyalkanoates; (2) a barrier layer which includes aluminum and/or polyhydroxyalkanoates; (3) optionally, a nylon layer; and (4) a biodegradable printed layer which also includes polyhydroxyalkanoates and/or cellulose. These layers are adhered together with one or more adhesives to form the multi-layer structure.

Abstract: A cake material is disclosed, made up of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) cake that is formed directly from biomass and subsequent purification processes absent any heated drying step, with a moisture content of no less than about 5% by weight, and a Dv (90) particle size of no more than about 8 microns.

Abstract: A biodegradable aqueous mixture for coating substrates is disclosed, which includes from about 35 to about 75 weight percent water and from about 25 to about 65 weight percent solids. The solids in turn are made up of from about 40 to about 99 weight percent polyhydroxyalkanoates based on the total dry weight of the solids. Moreover, the polyhydroxyalkanoates are in the form of polyhydroxyalkanoate particles having a moisture content of no less than about 1% by weight prior to mixing with the water and a Dv (90) particle size of no more than about 10 microns, as determined using ISO 8130-13:2019.

Abstract: A polyester is disclosed which is made up of: (1) from about 15 to about 40 weight percent monomer repeat units of isosorbide; (2) from about 25 to about 60 weight percent monomer repeat units of a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride such as succinic acid or anhydride; and (3) from about 10 to about 20 weight percent monomer repeat units of a polyhydric alcohol such as 1,3-propanediol. In some instances, the polymer may also include monomer repeat units of methyl nadic anhydride or nadic anhydride. A polymer composition is also disclosed, which includes the polyester as well as a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(hydroxyalkanoates), and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a home compostable extrusion coated substrate which includes a paperboard substrate having at least a first side and a layer of an extrusion coating applied over at least a portion of the first side. This extrusion coating is made up of from about 30 to about 99.5 weight percent of at least one poly(hydroxyalkanoate), and from about 5 weight percent to about 69.5 weight percent of at least one compostable polymer which is selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(caprolactone), poly(ethylene sebicate), poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) and mixtures thereof. Preferably, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is also preferred that the extrusion coated substrate is home compostable, as determined by ASTM D6868.

Abstract: A biodegradable label and a method for making the label. The biodegradable label includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the label is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biodegradable container closure and a method for making the container closure. The biodegradable container closure includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a polymer derived from random monomeric repeating units having a structure of wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of CH3 and a C3 to C19 alkyl group. The monomeric units having R1?CH3 is about 75 to about 99 mol percent of the polymer. A resin adapted for forming the closure is also disclosed.