Abstract: The present invention relates to polymeric plasticizer compositions made from an aromatic acid source, a glycol, and a C4-C36 monocarboxylic acid, or ester or anhydride thereof. The aromatic acid source can include polymeric materials such as recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The present invention also relates to methods for making the polymeric plasticizer compositions, to methods of plasticizing polymeric materials, and to plasticized polymeric compositions. The polymeric plasticizers are useful for plasticizing various polymers, such as thermoplastic polymers, including, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The polymeric plasticizers provide a sustainable alternative to conventional phthalate ester plasticizers, such as diisooctyl phthalate (DOP).

Abstract: Polyester polyols made from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. The polyols are reaction products of a thermoplastic polyester, a glycol, and a hydrophobe selected from ricinoleic acid, ethoxylated castor oil, saturated or unsaturated C9-C18 dicarboxylic acids, tung oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, cardanol-based products, recycled cooking oil, isostearyl alcohol, hydroxy-functional materials derived from epoxidized, ozonized, or hydroformylated fatty esters or fatty acids, and mixtures thereof. In one process, the polyols are made by reacting the thermoplastic polyester with a glycol to give a digested intermediate, which is then reacted with the hydrophobe. In another process, the thermoplastic polyester, glycol, and hydrophobe are combined and reacted in a single step. These hydrophobes facilitate the production from recycled thermoplastics of polyols that have good transparency and little or no particulate settling or phase separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the chemical digestion of keratin, such as avian feathers and wool. The digestion product is made by heating the feathers or wool with a solvent selected from glycols, alkanolamines, polyamines, and combinations thereof. The resulting digested keratin product is a keratin-derived polyol useful for making polymeric materials such as polyurethanes. The digestion products provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical based intermediates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyester polyols made from aromatic polyacid sources such as thermoplastic polyesters. The polyols can be made by heating a thermoplastic polyester such as virgin polyethylene terephthalate, recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or mixtures thereof, with a glycol to give a digested intermediate which is then reacted with a digestible polymer, which can be obtained from various recycle waste streams. The polyester polyols comprise a glycol-digested polyacid source and a further digestible polymer. The polyester polyols provide a sustainable alternative to petrochemical or biochemical based polyester polyols.

Abstract: Polyester polyols made from thermoplastic polyesters are disclosed. The polyols can be made by heating a thermoplastic polyester such as virgin PET, recycled PET, or mixtures thereof, with a glycol to give a digested intermediate, which is then condensed with a dimer fatty acid to give the polyol. The invention includes a polyester polyol comprising recurring units of a glycol-digested thermoplastic polyester and a dimer fatty acid. The polyester polyol can also be made in a single step by reacting the thermoplastic polyester, glycol, and dimer acid under conditions effective to produce the polyol. High-recycle-content polyols having desirable properties and attributes for formulating polyurethane products, including aqueous polyurethane dispersions, can be made. The polyols provide a sustainable alternative to bio- or petrochemical-based polyols.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: Surfactants and solvents containing derivatized adducts formed from Diels-Alder reactions of terpenes and unsaturated carboxylic acids or their derivatives are disclosed. Processes for making and derivatizing the Diels-Alder adducts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: Disclosed are radiation-curable compositions comprising at least one ortho-phthalate (meth)acrylate, and optionally a (meth)acrylate monomer, a stabilizing package, an adhesion promoter, and/or a photoinitiator. The compositions maintain physical integrity when cured and then aged for seven days under the conditions of 70% relative humidity, 77° C. black panel temperature, 55° C. chamber air temperature and a light intensity of 0.51 W/m2/nm at 340 nanometer wavelength passed through a daylight filter. The preparation and use of these compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing and/or neutralizing the allergenic protein content of natural rubber latex articles by exposing the natural rubber latex from which the article is made or the final natural rubber latex to an allergenic protein reducing compound. The allergenic protein reducing compounds for use in the present invention fall generally into two classes: (1) cationic compounds and (2) nitrogen-containing compounds. Quaternary ammonium salts are particularly preferred allergenic protein reducing compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing and/or neutralizing the allergenic protein content of natural rubber latex articles by exposing the natural rubber latex from which the article is made or the final natural rubber latex to an allergenic protein reducing compound. The allergenic protein reducing compounds for use in the present invention fall generally into two classes: (1) cationic compounds and (2) nitrogen-containing compounds. Quaternary ammonium salts are particularly preferred allergenic protein reducing compounds.

Abstract: The presently described technology provides for methods and compositions for deactivating the allergenic protein content of surfaces by treatment with an allergenic protein deactivating compound. Preferred allergenic protein deactivating compositions of the present technology comprise: (1) cationic compounds and (2) nitrogen-containing compounds. Quaternary ammonium salts are particularly preferred allergenic protein deactivating compounds. In some embodiments, allergenic protein deactivating formulations of the present technology additionally contain antimicrobial agents to deactivate microorganisms on surfaces, in the air, or both. Additives including cyclodextrins, soluble aluminum salts, urea, alkyl trimethyl ammonium salts, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, tannic acid, immobilized tannic acid, polyphenols, enzymes, benzyl benzoate, inorganic salts, surfactants, buffers, oils, waxes, solvents, preservatives and mixtures thereof are also envisioned for use with the described technology.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ring-containing component polyol and process for making the same for use as a load-bearing capacity improvement agent in flexible polyurethane foam manufacture. The ring-containing component polyol eliminates and/or reduces the need for a copolymer polyol containing suspended solids in the manufacture of flexible foam products. This may reduce production costs, reactivity variations, filter plugging, color variations, foam shrinkage/tightness, foam irregularity, and foam malodor while maintaining an adequate load-bearing capacity. The present polyol blends can be non-opaque or transparent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unitary run flat tire (RFT) reinforcement using filament material that is formed into a relatively rigid shape. The reinforcement is insertable into a mold for an RFT support and can maintain the needed structural rigidity for such insertion. Further, the invention provides an RFT support that is molded and includes the RFT reinforcement. The invention also provides a wheel assembly including a tire, a rim, and an RFT support between the rim and the tire, where the support includes the RFT reinforcement. The RFT support can have a colored indicator formed or subsequently applied thereto to indicate one or more attributes of the support.