Abstract: The invention relates to a moulded body containing plastic and reinforced by natural fibres. Said moulded body is produced from fibrous plant or animal material containing residual water, at least one thermoplastic or duroplastic material, and at least one water-binding biopolymer and/or biomonomer, by means of plastic or thermoplastic deformation at a high temperature and/or high pressure, and then by shaping, preferably by means of extrusion. In spite of a residual water content of between 0.3 and 8 wt. %, the inventive moulded body is in an unexpanded form. The invention also relates to a method for producing said moulded body.

Abstract: The invention relates to the impregnation of wood by a solvent-free melt of modified natural resin which is solid at ambient temperature. Besides the modified natural resin, melts according to the invention may comprise wax and further additives. The melting point of the wax is preferably above 80° C. The addition of wax elevates the softening point and reduces the viscosity of the melt. Melts according to the invention do not tend to discolor even at the given temperatures of the loading treatment so that the wood treated with a melt of modified natural resin mainly retains its natural appearance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the impregnation of wood by a solvent-free melt of modified natural resin which is solid at ambient temperature. Besides the modified natural resin, melts according to the invention may comprise wax and further additives. The melting point of the wax is preferably above 80° C. The addition of wax elevates the softening point and reduces the viscosity of the melt. Melts according to the invention do not tend to discolor even at the given temperatures of the loading treatment so that the wood treated with a melt of modified natural resin mainly retains its natural appearance.

Abstract: A shaped part is provided for use as a construction material, and includes at least one natural, fiber-containing biogenic material, and at least one biopolymeric natural binder. The binder is selected from the group consisting of starches, dextrins, pectins, collagens, proteins and caseins, and is present in the shaped part at a percentage of 5-85 wt. %. The fiber-containing material and binder are formed to define a dense outer surface and an interior core in which particles of the fiber-containing material are distributed within a structure-defining closed-cellular matrix.

Abstract: A novel, bio-degradable molding based on particles of a plant fiber material, preferably wood and/or cellulose, in particular recycled fiber material, as well as other additives, which are integrated preferably with starch and/or protein into a matrix of at least one biogenic material which has been reduced at high temperature and pressure to a molten state and undergone thermoplastic treatment, and a process for manufacturing the molding and uses thereof. The molding is substantially free of pores and the particles are at least partially impregnated with at least one resin acid (where appropriate mixed with at least one fatty acid, in particular from tall oil and/or natural resins) and preferably also with at least one fat, oil and/or wax; the total water content of the molding is no greater than 18 wt %, preferably 3-16 wt %, and in particular 4-12 wt %, while its preferred density is 0.8-1.25 t/m.sup.3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of new shaped parts, preferably made from chipboards, wherein a mass formed from at least a binder and a small-particled material brought into contact with this binder is subjected to extrusion at elevated temperature and pressure. In the process according to the invention, a mass possessing a total moisture content of 6 to 25 wt. % or adjusted to the stated moisture content and made up of at least one biopolymeric preferably starch-containing binder, which converts into a melt and/or gel at extrusion temperatures and pressures, and further made up of the small-particled material, is subjected to extrusion and immediately thereafter undergoes decompression and spontaneous expansion.