Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new binder composition and a process using it for the production of new and improved wood fibre boards.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starch based biodegradable material comprising starch, polyvinyl-alcohol-co-vinylacetate copolymer and at least one plasticizer and to articles obtained therefrom particularly suitable to be injection molded.

Abstract: This invention relates to biodegradable starch-based pellets which foamable by irradiation, which are particularly suitable for the manufacture of foam articles, characterised in that they have a porous structure with a low porous external skin. This invention also relates to foam articles obtained from these.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starch based biodegradable composition comprising starch, a polyvinyl alcohol co-vinyl acetate copolymer and pentaerythritol, which can be produced industrially according to the techniques commonly used for traditional plastics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a starch based biodegradable material comprising starch, polyvinyl-alcohol-co-vinylacetate copolymer and at least one plasticizer and to articles obtained therefrom particularly suitable to be injection molded.

Abstract: Materials in the form of foam sheet comprising destructured or complexed starch expanded as a contiguous phase, having a density lying between 20 and 150 kg/m3, cell dimensions in the range lying between 25 and 700 ?m and with a cell distribution such that 80% of them have a dimension lying between 20 and 400 ?m in the absence of stretching.

Abstract: A biodegradable material containing starch, a polyvinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate copolymer and plasticizer is provided. The material is injection moldable to produce articles such as those for entertaining animals.

Abstract: Extruded sheet with a density greater than 300 kg/m3, or preferably greater than 400 kg/m3, made of biodegradable materials of synthetic and/or natural origin, suitable for use in the production of chew toys for domestic pets. The sheet is essentially composed of: 5-98%, and preferably 15-95% or, more preferably, 20-90% by weight of at least one polysaccharide; 1-60%, and preferably 2-50% or, more preferably, 5-45%, by weight of at least one biodegradable thermoplastic polymer; 1-35%, preferably 3-35, more preferably 5-35 by weight of a plasticizing agent.

Abstract: The biodegradable heterophase compositions comprise partially or completely destructurised and/or complexed starch, a polysaccharide ester and a plasticizer for the polysaccharide ester. In these compositions, the polysaccharide ester constitutes the matrix and the starch the dispersed phase in the form of particles or domains of numeric mean dimension lower than 1 &mgr;m and preferably than 0.5 &mgr;m for at least 80% of the particles. The compositions also comprise an additive which can increase and maintain at values of 4 or more the pH of a solution obtained by placing the compositions in pellet form in contact with water at ambient temperature for 1 hour, with the use of a pellet:water ratio of 1:10 by weight.

Abstract: Biodegradable thermoplastic compositions comprising a starch component, a cellulose ester or ether, a plasticizer for the starchy phase and of the cellulose and derivatives, and a compatibilizer agent selected from polymers compatible with the cellulose and or starchy component, grafted with aliphatic or polyhydroxilated chains; copolymers obtained from hydroxy acids and/or diamines with 2-24C and aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanates; copolymers obtained from aliphatic polyesters, polyureas and polyalkylene glycols and aliphatic or aromatic diisocyanates; copolymers obtained from polymers compatible with cellulose ester or ethers and/or the starchy component by grafting starch soluble polyols; polymer capable of complexing starch; starch compatible polyols.

Abstract: Heterophasic compositions comprising starch and a thermoplastic polymer that is incompatible with the starch, in which the starch constitutes the discontinuous phase and the thermoplastic polymer the continuous matrix, having an impact strength greater than 30 KJ/m2 (measured on blown film of 30 microns thick at 10° C. and RH less than 5%), and further characterised by the presence in the X-ray diffraction spectrum of a peak at an angle 2-theta from 13 to 14° the ratio of the intensity of which to that of the peak of the amorphous starch which occurs at 20.5°, is less than 2 and greater than 0.02.

Abstract: Heterophasic compositions comprising starch and a thermoplastic polymer that is incompatible with the starch, in which the starch constitutes the discontinuous phase and the thermoplastic polymer the continuous matrix, having an impact strength greater than 30 KJ/m2 (measured on blown film of 30 microns thick at 10° C. and RH less than 5%), and further characterised by the presence in the X-ray diffraction spectrum of a peak at an angle 2-theta from 13 to 14° the ratio of the intensity of which to that of the peak of the amorphous starch which occurs at 20.5°, is less than 2 and greater than 0.02.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a filler melt-dispersed in a matrix comprising, a destructurized starch component; a synthetic thermoplastic polymeric component selected from the group consisting of polyvinylalcohol, polyvinyl acetate, thermoplastic polyesters and graft copolymers of polysaccharides; and a fluidizing agent selected from the group consisting of C12-C22 fatty acids, C12-C22 fatty alcohols, esters and amides of said fatty acids, polyolefin waxes, polyglycol ethers of alditols, polyglycerols esterified with C12-C22 fatty acids, and mixtures thereof, wherein said filler is a mixture of an inorganic filler and a filler of organic nature, wherein the organic filler is present in an amount from 5% to 70% by weight.

Abstract: Materials in the form of foam sheet comprising destructured or complexed starch expanded as a continuous phase, having a density lying between 20 and 150 kg/m3, cell dimensions in the range lying between 25 and 700 &mgr;m and with a cell distribution such that 80% of them have a dimension lying between 20 and 400 &mgr;m in the absence of stretching.

Abstract: A polymeric composition comprises a matrix including a starch component and at least one synthetic thermoplastics polymeric component in which a filler is dispersed, characterised in that the matrix includes a fluidising agent selected from the group consisting of C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty acids, C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alcohols, esters and amides of the said fatty acids, poly and polyglycol ethers of alditols or polyglycerols esterified with the said fatty acids and their mixtures and the said filler comprises natural fillers of an organic nature dispersed in the matrix in quantities of from 5% to 70% by weight with reference to the total weight of the composition.

Abstract: In order to prepare a starch-based composition usable for the production of articles of biodegradable plastics material, a starch is mixed in a heated extruder with a high-boiling plasticizer and a destructuring agent for a time sufficient to cause the starch to be destructured, in dependence on the destructuring agent used, at a temperature below the boiling point of the plasticizer used and between 120.degree. and 170.degree. C.The composition thus obtained is particularly suitable for the formulation of polymer mixtures with polymers which have relatively high melting points, since it can be processed at temperatures higher than 120.degree. C. and is suitable for extrusion at low pressure with these polymers.

Abstract: In order to prepare a starch-based composition usable for the production of articles of biodegradable plastics material, a starch is mixed in a heated extruder with a high-boiling plasticizer and a destructuring agent for a time sufficient to cause the starch to be destructured, in dependence on the destructuring agent used, at a temperature below the boiling point of the plasticizer used and between 120.degree. and 170.degree. C.The composition thus obtained is particularly suitable for the formulation of polymer mixtures with polymers which have relatively high melting points, since it can be processed at temperatures higher than 120.degree. C. and is suitable for extrusion at low pressure with these polymers.

Abstract: The biodegradable polymeric compositions comprise a starch based component and a polymeric component comprising polymers of hydroxyacids or mixtures thereof with polymers deriving from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, particularly polymers of ethylene-vinylalcohol or polyvinylalcohol.