Abstract: A process for manufacturing a rigid foam product includes processing a forest residue to obtain fibers having a mesh size of at most 5 mm mesh and an aspect ratio of between 0.5:1 and 20:1; preparing a slurry comprising the fibers, water, a foaming agent, and a polymer additive; foaming the slurry to yield a wet foam; and drying the wet foam to yield a rigid foam product.

Abstract: A biodegradable polymer usable in fishing gear and that biodegrades in aquatic environments. The polymer includes a polymer backbone that has monomeric units that are susceptible to hydrolytic degradation, and a plurality of pH responsive moieties. Each pH responsive moiety is grafted to a respective one of the monomeric units. The pH responsive moieties are relatively hydrophilic when exposed to an aqueous solution of a pro-biodegradation pH range to facilitate hydrolytic degradation of the monomeric units, and are relatively hydrophobic when removed from the aqueous solution of the pro-biodegradation pH range, to protect the monomeric units from hydrolytic degradation.

Abstract: A biobased additive is provided that is both a nucleating and a reinforcing agent when added to thermoplastic polyester (e.g., biopolyesters). A composite material, which is an additive-reinforced biopolyester, was prepared and improved thermo-mechanical properties were quantified. This composite material is a new class of biobased material that offers a sustainable, environmentally-friendly solution for packaging and other applications.