Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food contact article. According to one embodiment, the food contact article includes at least one food contact surface. This at least one food contact surface is made up of at least 50 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent of at least one antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A poly(hydroxyalkanoate) composition having a bimodal molecular weight distribution. The composition includes of a first portion and a second portion of a poly(hydroxyalkanoate). The first portion has a first weight average molecular weight and the second portion has a second weight average molecular weight which is at least 50 percent less than the first weight average molecular weight. The poly(hydroxyalkanoate) is made up of at least 10 mole percent monomer repeat units of 3-hydroxypropionate. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates from a biomass is disclosed. According to the method, polynucleotide chains are cleaved by addition of an endonuclease. A lysing agent is used to disrupt cell walls of the microorganism cells and release the intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoates from the cells. Proteins are also degraded by addition of a peptidase. The polyhydroxyalkanoates are then separated from cellular debris of the cells. According to the present disclosure, this method is carried out without the use of organic solvents in the cleaving, lysing, and degrading steps.

Abstract: A poly(hydroxyalkanoate) composition having a bimodal molecular weight distribution. The composition includes of a first portion and a second portion of a poly(hydroxyalkanoate). The first portion has a first weight average molecular weight and the second portion has a second weight average molecular weight which is at least 50 percent less than the first weight average molecular weight. The poly(hydroxyalkanoate) is made up of at least 10 mole percent monomer repeat units of 3-hydroxypropionate. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which composition includes at least a first polymer and a second polymer. The first polymer is made up of at least 10 mole percent repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). The second polymer is made up of a poly(hydroxyalkanoate) which does not include repeat units of (3-hydroxypropionate). A method for making the first polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which includes poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxypropionate), and optionally other biopolymers. This polymeric composition exhibits significant improvements in crystallization rate, as compared to poly(lactic acid) which has not been melt blended with poly(3-hydroxypropionate). Molded articles, particularly injection molded articles, which are formed from the aforementioned polymer composition are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer packaging film structure is disclosed. This packaging film structure includes a barrier web made up of a barrier web core layer, a barrier web skin layer, and a packaging sealant layer. Each of the aforementioned film layers is biodegradable and/or compostable. At least one of the film layers is made up of at least 1 weight percent of poly(3-hydroxypropionate). The packaging film structure may also include a print web or a paperboard substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food contact article. According to one embodiment, the food contact article includes at least one food contact surface. This at least one food contact surface is made up of at least 50 weight percent of at least one biodegradable polymer, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, and from about 0.1 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent of at least one antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is disclosed which includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a first polymer and from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of polybutylene(succinate-co-adipate) (“PBSA”). Preferably the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, and mixtures thereof. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to marking compositions that are derived from environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable resources. Such compositions may be formulated in to writing and/or drawing instruments such as crayons. In various embodiments, the marking compositions include one or more of a structural component, a stiffening and/or laydown component, and a colorant. For instance, the structural component may be an ester wax composed of a diol and diacid, such as where the diols and diacids contain about 2 to about 14 carbon atoms each, such as where the structural component is present in an amount of from about 10% by weight to about 90% by weight, such as about 20% to about 80%, including about 60% of the composition. Additionally, the stiffening and/or lay down component may be a bifunctional fatty acid, such as stearic acid, which may be included in the composition, such as a stiffening agent as well as to enhance smoothness of laydown.

Abstract: A granular composition for agricultural coatings is disclosed. The granular composition is made up of a plurality of granulates having at least one biodegradable coating applied over the granulates. The granulates are selected from the group consisting of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. The biodegradable coating is made up of polyhydroxyalkanoates, such as monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate and monomer residues of 3-hydroxyhexanoate. A method for making the coated granular composition and a method for controlled release of the granular material in the field are also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymer composition is disclosed which includes at least a first biodegradable copolymer. This first biodegradable copolymer is itself made up of: (1) from about 55 to about 99.5 mole percent monomer residues of 3-hydroxybutyrate, (2) monomer residues of a secondary monomer selected from the group consisting of 4-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxyvalerate, and 5-hydroxyvalerate, and (3) monomer residues of a tertiary monomer selected from the group consisting of hydroxyalkanoate monomers having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is disclosed which includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a first polymer and from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of polybutylene(succinate-co-adipate) (“PBSA”). Preferably the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, and mixtures thereof. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is disclosed which includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a first polymer and from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of polybutylene(succinate-co-adipate) (“PBSA”). Preferably the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, and mixtures thereof. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polymeric composition is disclosed which includes from about 40 to about 99 weight percent of a first polymer and from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of polybutylene(succinate-co-adipate) (“PBSA”). Preferably the first polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polylactic acid, polyhydroxy alkanoates, and mixtures thereof. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to marking compositions that are derived from environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable resources. Such compositions may be formulated in to writing and/or drawing instruments such as crayons. In various embodiments, the marking compositions include one or more of a structural component, a stiffening and/or laydown component, and a colorant. For instance, the structural component may be an ester wax composed of a diol and diacid, such as where the diols and diacids contain about 2 to about 14 carbon atoms each, such as where the structural component is present in an amount of from about 10% by weight to about 90% by weight, such as about 20% to about 80%, including about 60% of the composition. Additionally, the stiffening and/or lay down component may be a bifunctional fatty acid, such as stearic acid, which may be included in the composition, such as a stiffening agent as well as to enhance smoothness of laydown.