Abstract: A process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles product is disclosed. In this process, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder having a screw configuration in which the feedstock is process using shear forces in the extruder, and a crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The biopolymer feedstock and plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent second section of the extruder downstream of the first section. In a post reaction section located after a point in which the crosslinking reaction has been completed, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder and the biopolymer feedstock is processed using shear forces. A crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The process has a production rate of at least 1.0 metric tons per hour. The feedstock and the plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The extruder may have single flight elements in the feed zone. The temperatures in the intermediate section of the extruder are preferably kept above 100 C. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent downstream section of the first section. In a post reaction section, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biolatex conjugate compositions and methods of production and use thereof. The novel biolatex conjugate compositions comprise a biopolymer-additive complex (prepared by co-extruding a biopolymer feedstock, at least one performance-enhancing additive, and at least one plasticizer under shear forces) reacted with a crosslinking agent under shear forces. The biolatex conjugate compositions exhibit enhanced performance properties for coated paper, paperboard, and other applications using extremely low levels of performance-enhancing additives.

Abstract: In a process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder and the biopolymer feedstock is processed using shear forces. A crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The process has a production rate of at least 1.0 metric tons per hour. The feedstock and the plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The extruder may have single flight elements in the feed zone. The temperatures in the intermediate section of the extruder are preferably kept above 100 C. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent downstream section of the first section. In a post reaction section, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: A process for producing a biopolymer nanoparticles product is disclosed. In this process, biopolymer feedstock and a plasticizer are fed to a feed zone of an extruder having a screw configuration in which the feedstock is process using shear forces in the extruder, and a crosslinking agent is added to the extruder downstream of the feed zone. The biopolymer feedstock and plasticizer are preferably added separately to the feed zone. The screw configuration may include two or more steam seal sections. Shear forces in a first section of the extruder may be greater than shear forces in an adjacent second section of the extruder downstream of the first section. In a post reaction section located after a point in which the crosslinking reaction has been completed, water may be added to improve die performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel biolatex conjugate compositions and methods of production and use thereof. The novel biolatex conjugate compositions comprise a biopolymer-additive complex (prepared by co-extruding a biopolymer feedstock, at least one performance-enhancing additive, and at least one plasticizer under shear forces) reacted with a crosslinking agent under shear forces. The biolatex conjugate compositions exhibit enhanced performance properties for coated paper, paperboard, and other applications using extremely low levels of performance-enhancing additives.

Abstract: Reduced gloss polycarbonate graft polymer blends are provided by a process which involves compounding styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer in the presence of an electrophilic reagent and preferably an acid to form gels, and then compounding the resultant gels with polycarbonate, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer and ABS graft polymer to form reduced gloss PC/ABS/SAN composition. The process limits side reactions during gel formation by preparing the gels first and then compounding the gels with the other resin materials. The blends are useful as molding resins and the gelled acrylonitrile polymer is useful as a gloss reducing additive.

Abstract: Gels useful as low gloss additives for blends of addition polymers, such as ABS resins, with polycarbonates are prepared by a melt blending operation in which a polyepoxide such as 3,4-epoxycyclohexyl 3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate is blended with at least one addition polymer such as a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, and concurrently with at least one aromatic polycarbonate in at least two increments. The first increment comprises about 20-60% of total polycarbonate and the second increment is subsequently introduced.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing improved color acrylonitrile polymer gels involving compounding a composition of an acrylonitrile polymer with an electrophilic reagent to produce acrylonitrile polymer gels, and admixing water with the gels to reduce the yellowness thereof. Improved color, reduced gloss polycarbonate/graft polymer blends are provided by compounding the resultant gels with polycarbonate, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer and ABS graft polymer to form reduced gloss PC/ABS/SAN composition. The process provides acrylonitrile gels and reduced gloss compositions exhibiting improved levels of color. The blend compositions are useful as molding resins and the gelled acrylonitrile polymer is useful as a gloss reducing additive.