Abstract: Starch esters are made by: reacting a starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst in a solvent for the starch ester, the esterifying agent including a mixture of at least two esterifying agents; or pre-treating a starch in a bath being free of an esterifying agent, and reacting the pre-treated starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst. Articles are made by blending cellulose ester and starch ester, may be cross-linked, and may include internal plasticizers.

Abstract: Starch esters are made by: reacting a starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst in a solvent for the starch ester, the esterifying agent including a mixture of at least two esterifying agents; or pre-treating a starch in a bath being free of an esterifying agent, and reacting the pre-treated starch with an esterifying agent in the presence of a catalyst. Articles are made by blending cellulose ester and starch ester, may be cross-linked, and may include internal plasticizers.

Abstract: A method of making cellulose ester polymer comprises the steps of: pre-treating a cellulose source; esterifying the pretreated cellulose source to form a cellulose ester; and optionally hydrolyzing the cellulose ester. The pretreatment step further comprises: mixing, in a first stage, the cellulose source with a first solution of a weak acid and water, whereby the cellulose source being suspended in the first solution; de-liquefying the first stage suspension; mixing, in a second stage, the de-liquefied mass with a second solution of weak acid and water, whereby the mass being suspended in the second solution; and de-liquefying the second stage suspension.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of cellulose esters is described. The process includes the steps of: pre-treating pulp for the removal of impurities with either caustic or acid or both, esterifying the pre-treated pulp, and recycling the caustic or acid or both from the pre-treating step.

Abstract: A process for making cellulose acetate or cellulose esters which pretreats a wood pulp prior to acetylation or esterification is disclosed. The pretreatment of the wood pulp includes the mixture of wood pulp into a caustic solution to form a suspension of wood pulp. The suspension of wood pulp is separated from the caustic solution to form a cake. The cake is washed with an acid to obtain an acid and cellulose cake having a low water content. The acid and cellulose cake is then acetylated or esterifed to form cellulose acetate or other cellulose esters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing water-insoluble cellulose fibers having high carboxyl content by reacting cellulose fiber in suspension with dicarboxylic acid anhydride or chloride in the presence of a basic catalyst. The fibers produced possess a unique combination of high carboxyl content in the range of 100 to 4000 meq/kg, and high average viscosity, in the range of 0.5 to 12 dl/g. The carboxylated cellulose fibers according the invention can be made with a combination of carboxyl content and average viscosity which are suitable for use in numerous applications, including absorbent products, health care products, specialty papers, adhesives, detergents, biodegradable fibers, precursors for aqueous coatings and ion exchange fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing water-insoluble cellulose fibers having high carboxyl content by reacting cellulose fiber in suspension with dicarboxylic acid anhydride or chloride in the presence of a basic catalyst. The fibers produced possess a unique combination of high carboxyl content in the range of 100 to 4000 meq/kg, and high average viscosity, in the range of 0.5 to 12 dl/g. The carboxylated cellulose fibers according the invention can be made with a combination of carboxyl content and average viscosity which are suitable for use in numerous applications, including absorbent products, health care products, specialty papers, adhesives, detergents, biodegradable fibers, precursors for aqueous coatings and ion exchange fibers.