Abstract: A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product can comprise: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition free of phenol and formaldehyde; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing can comprise; a component (i) in form of one or more lignosulfonate lignins having a carboxylic acid group content of 0.03 to 1.4 mmol/g, based on the dry weight of the lignosulfonate lignins; and a component (ii) in form of one or more cross-linkers.

Abstract: Plant cultivation materials, which have the liquid retentivity and the liquid transitivity, which provide the best environment for plants respiration, which comprises polyesters, natural pulps and/or synthetic pulps such as polyolefin pulps, from which plants can absorb the amount of the elements necessary for the plant growth as much as plants want whenever plants want, and which provide the cultivation environment to accelerate the plant growth, and the plant cultivation methods by using the materials can be provided.

Abstract: A bio-degradable composition comprising 0.2%-10% w/w bio-degradable polymer and an organic non hydroxylic solvent may be used as a coating or adhesive in agriculture and home gardening as well as in other industries.

Abstract: A biostatic coating comprising a coating composition which on drying produces an intrinsically hydrophobic film. The coating composition includes a biocidal complex A-B in which A is a phenolic biocide and B is selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone (“PVP”), PVP polymers, PVP copolymers and mixtures thereof. The coating composition for example is selected from acrylic and methacrylic polymer based compositions, acrylic and methacrylic copolymer based compositions, vinyl polymer based compositions, vinyl copolymer based compositions, epoxy resins, epoxy esters, and mixtures thereof. Suitable biocides for use in the invention include, but are not limited to complexes of PVP or PVP copolymer with triclosan; diclosan; dichlorophen; orthophenylphenol; orthobenzylparachlorophenol, cresols, xylols, and substituted diphenyl ethers.

Abstract: A biodegradable plant container made from a cellulosically derived polymer is coated with an enhancer to facilitate biodegradation of the container.

Abstract: An epoxy resin reactive diluent composition comprises an epoxy resin diluent (A) and a resin compound (B), wherein the epoxy resin diluent (A) comprises a cis, trans-1,3- and -1,4-cyclohexanedimethylether moiety; and wherein the resin compound (B) comprises one or more epoxy resins other than the epoxy resin diluent (A). A curable epoxy resin composition comprises the epoxy resin reactive diluent composition and a curing agent and/or curing catalyst therefore. A cured epoxy resin is prepared by curing the curable epoxy resin composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vegetation basis, which can be molded at low pressure and temperature and further, keep the crumbled structure suitable for plant growth either by means of a viscosity of a sheath-core type fiber or by addition of a hot melt adhesive, as the powder-typed eco-friendly adhesive, and a fibrous material to the artificial soil, instead of using the liquid-type adhesive, and further can readily absorb and retain water even in case the basis is dried after molding, by additionally incorporating bentonite or water absorbant polymer, if necessary, and to a process for production thereof. In addition, the present invention provides an eco-friendly vegetation basis, which can be decomposed within a short period of time after rooting the plants, and a process for production thereof.

Abstract: An aqueous binder composition for mineral fibres comprises a water-soluble binder component obtainable by reacting, in one or more steps, at least one alkanolamine, at least one carboxylic anhydride and at least one polyalkylene glycol component selected from polyalkylene glycols, copolymers and derivates thereof and, optionally, treating the reaction product with a base.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising a substance usable in producing packaging material and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ar-turmerone, a sesquiterpene alcohol and a turmeric oleoresin solid residue.

Abstract: A biodegradable plant container made from a cellulosically derived polymer is coated with an enhancer to facilitate biodegradation of the container.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to the method and use in an antifouling paint that specifically and efficiently impede settlement of for example barnacles on aquatic structures, using imidazole containing compound, such as Medetomidine, bound to a sulfonated, acid sulphate ester, phosphonic acid, carboxylic acid or acid phosphate ester modified polymer backbone such as polystyrene or acrylate polymers. The aim is to employ the biocide-polymer complexes as additives in a self-polishing paint for controlled release purposes.

Abstract: A composition for producing an item for street furniture comprises: finely subdivided inert materials, an alkali metal polysilicate, a structuring agent, a surface-active agent; a method for producing an item for street furniture comprises: dispersing finely subdivided inert materials in a solution of an alkali metal polysilicate, so as to obtain a mixture; adding a surface-active agent and a structuring agent to said mixture; pouring said mixture into mould means and enabling said mixture to solidify, so as to produce said item.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vegetation basis, which can be molded at low pressure and temperature and further, keep the crumbled structure suitable for plant growth either by means of a viscosity of a sheath-core type fiber or by addition of a hot melt adhesive, as the powder-typed eco-friendly adhesive, and a fibrous material to the artificial soil, instead of using the liquid-type adhesive, and further can readily absorb and retain water even in case the basis is dried after molding, by additionally incorporating bentonite or water absorbant polymer, if necessary, and to a process for production thereof. In addition, the present invention provides an eco-friendly vegetation basis, which can be decomposed within a short period of time after rooting the plants, and a process for production thereof.

Abstract: A composition for manufacturing a product, comprises: finely subdivided inert materials, a metal oxide, a metal chloride, a resin, a thickening agent, a surfactant; a method for manufacturing a product comprises: mixing a solution of metal chloride with a metal oxide and finely subdivided inert materials, so as to obtain a mixture; adding to said mixture a resin, an a surfactant; pouring said mixture into a mould in such a way as to impregnate a fibre material sheet positioned inside said mould; enabling said mixture to solidify, so as to manufacture said product.

Abstract: A sowing vessel and pot for seedlings and plants, characterized in that said sowing vessel and pot are made of a fully biodegradable material.

Abstract: An inkjet recording element comprising, over a porous, ink-receiving layer, a fusible, porous topmost layer comprising a film-forming, hydrophobic binder and fusible, polymeric particles of a non-segmented polyurethane, or salt thereof, comprising repeat units derived from a diisocyanate and a diol component comprising a mixture of diols, said diol mixture comprising: an anionically-substituted diol selected from carboxylic acid-, sulfonic acid-, and phosphonic acid-substituted diol and an ether containing short chain aliphatic diol, wherein the polyurethane has a Tg greater than about 70° C.

Abstract: Household cleaning and/or laundry detergent compositions comprising a lignin-derived material, and lignin-derived materials themselves are provided.

Abstract: A controlled release product is provided having a suppressed initial release period and a predetermined longevity. The product includes a particulate water soluble core material and a semi-permeable coating layer applied on the core material for controlling the release rate of the core material.

Abstract: A composition or composite structure having an appearance of soil or a soil mixture and method of making and using the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises a mixture of cellulose particles and a binding adhesive. The mixture of cellulose particles may be selected from wood particles, wood chips, sawdust, or a combination thereof. The cellulose particles comprise a plurality of sizes and a plurality of shapes. The cellulose particles may be color-treated, dyed, stained, or bleached to a desired color such as black, dark brown, tan, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are kits comprising the cellulose particle mixture and an adhesive packaged together with instructions for use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storable and transportable and optionally utilizable mixture containing vegetable residues and at least one polymer product which absorbs water and/or aqueous liquids. The invention also relates to a process for producing said mixture and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A microcidal composition consisting of a water-soluble polymer and the active principle 1-(5-bromophur-2-yl)-2-bromo-2-nitroethene is provided to be used as chemical sterilizer of culture media for the control of bacterial and fungal contaminants. This technical solution, even can be used for the sterilization of solid and liquid culture media, is particularly useful in the production of “in vitro” cultivated plants, and surprisingly was found that its utilization can substitute completely the previous process of sterilization that this media require and even more, the addition of the necessary hormones in the rootage process of “in vitro” plants of crops.

Abstract: Biodegradable, agricultural mulches are prepared by coating paper with a cross-linked drying oil or a cross-linked, functionally modified drying oil. These mulches are inexpensive to produce, and are also water-resistant, mechanically stable and highly effective as weed barriers. The reactivities of various drying oils permit the development of a broad spectrum of coating systems and coating properties. In one embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated to complete cross-linking of coated paper in the field through either oxidative or photoinitiated processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrophilic resin composition which is obtained by adding, to a hydrophilic resin selected from a carboxyl group-containing hydrophilic acrylic copolymer resin, a carboxyl group-containing hydrophilic polyester resin and a carboxyl group-containing hydrophilic polyurethane resin, a hydrophilic carbodiimide represented by the following general formula (1): ##STR1## (wherein n is an average polymerization degree and is an integer of 1-30; m is an integer of 4-30; R.sub.1 is a lower alkyl group; and R.sub.2 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group) and which has an acid value based on the carboxyl group of the hydrophilic resin, of 10-400 mg KOH/g and a molar ratio of the carbodiimide group to the carboxyl group, of 0.2-5.0.

Abstract: The inclusion of certain organic hydroxy acids, most notably citric acid, in the iron sulfate formulations of at least one prior art hydrophilic polymer delivery system followed by drying and crushing the product into particles has been found to significantly improve the efficiency and ease of application of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils for periods exceeding one year. The dried particles most preferably may be selectively metered into soil in or near the seed row as a band application at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. The dry band absorbs soil moisture to provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil and provides for complexation of iron in the formulation with organic hydroxy acids also contained in the formulation, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied iron to plant roots.

Abstract: The inclusion of certain organic hydroxy acids, most notably citric acid, in the iron sulfate formulations of at least one prior art hydrophilic polymer delivery system followed by drying and crushing the product into particles has been found to significantly improve the efficiency and ease of application of iron source fertilizer materials for iron-sensitive plants growing on iron-deficient soils for periods exceeding one year. The dried particles most preferably may be selectively metered into soil in or near the seed row as a band application at or prior to planting or spot placed in the root zone of growing plants in soil. The dry band absorbs soil moisture to provide a unique environment which restricts contact of soluble iron fertilizers with the soil and provides for complexation of iron in the formulation with organic hydroxy acids also contained in the formulation, thereby minimizing the extent of chemical reactions with the soil that reduce the availability of the applied iron to plant roots.

Abstract: The problem of the potential for creation of a reactive noncompressible crust in a fluid adhesive mixture comprising a deposit of an uncured curable fluid curable resin composition and a deposit of a fluid curing agent wherein the deposits are separated by a thin flexible barrier film formed from the interaction of the cured resin as reacted by the curing agent, is overcome by including with the fluid curing agent a thickener in an amount sufficient to render the fluid curing agent non-free-flowing at room temperature and preventing the formation of any substantial amount of noncompressible crust in the mixture.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition of polyurethane precursors is rapidly cured using energy-activated catalysts to provide polyurethanes. The polymerizable composition is comprised of polyisocyanates with polyols, fillers, coating aids, adjuvants, and a latent catalyst. Latent catalysts are ionic salts of organometallic complex cations. The cured polyurethanes are useful as abrasion resistant coatings, protective finishes such as furniture finishes and floor tiles, binders for magnetic media, adhesives, and have various applications in industries which use photoresist technologies such as graphic arts and electronics, and in the paint and ink industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of polyurethane(urea) compositions which contain lignite and/or peat bound in an abrasion-proof manner, which are preferably modified cationically and which have a very high water absorbability. The compositions are produced by reacting isocyanate-terminated prepolymers, which are preferably cationically modified, and which preferably have a functionality of more than 2.1, with more than the stoichiometric quantity of water in the presence of lignite and/or peat and optionally in the presence of organic and/or inorganic fillers and biomasses (living cells, living bacteria or enzymes). The corresponding polyurethane(urea) compositions contain up to 95% by weight of lignite and/or peat in the filler-containing polyurethane(urea) composition and are already swollen from production. The water absorbability (WAF) value thereof when suspended in water is from 33 to 97% by weight of water.

Abstract: A method of forming a urethane prepolymer comprising the steps of gradually adding an isocyanate compound to a hydrophilic polyether or polyester compound without substantial added mixing whereby a relatively dense isocyanate layer and a polyether or polyester layer overlying the isocyanate layer are formed, and a urethane prepolymer-forming reaction occurs at the interface between the layers. The resulting urethane prepolymer may be reacted with water to form a cellular urethane polymer, or with an aqueous slurry of unconsolidated aggregate material to form a consolidated aggregate product, such as a plant growth supporting rooting medium.

Abstract: A polyol gel is made from 15-62 wt. % (based on the sum of polyurethane matrix plus dispersing agent) of a high molecular weight covalently cross-linked polyurethane matrix; 85-38 wt. % (based on the sum of polyurethane matrix plus dispersing agent) of a liquid dispersing agent which is firmly bonded to the matrix; and optionally, active ingredients, fillers, additives, catalysts, and mixtures thereof. The liquid dispersing agent is a polyhydroxyl compound having a molecular weight of between 1,000 and 12,000 and an OH number between 20 and 112. This dispersing agent should have virtually no hydroxyl compounds having a molecular weight below 800 present. These gel compositions may be used to make mold impressions and highly stable active-ingredient releasing compositions.