Abstract: The present invention provides a method for non-catalytic delignification of biomass, without externally added catalyst, with a mixed solvent of oxygenated organic solvent and water in the presence of an oxidant, at moderate temperature and pressure. Further, the separation of delignified cellulose from liquid mixture is carried out at around equivalent process conditions. Low modified kappa number delignified cellulose is obtained after separation of a liquid mixture containing a mixed solvent, hemicelluloses, lignin and traces of miscellaneous compounds. Furthermore, the method has lower chemical consumption in the downstream process, ease of operation and robustness.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and techniques for manufacturing articles containing cellulosic material, a tackifier, and a binder, and related processes of making and using the cellulosic articles. In particularly exemplary embodiments, the manufactured articles are door skins, sometimes known as door facings, and doors made from the door skins. The article contains a lipophilic cellulosic material, a tackifier, and a binder.

Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adhesive composition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a water-soluble polyphenol compound, to an adhesive comprising the same, and to a manufacturing method therefor and, more specifically, to an adhesive composition, which has little toxicity, can adhere even without a curing process unlike a conventional adhesive, enables the manufacturing of a gel by hydrogen binding characteristics between the polyvinyl alcohol compound and the water-soluble polyphenol compound, and retains adhesive properties in water.

Abstract: An object comprising: a blend of (i) a phenol-containing polymer and (ii) a nitrile butadiene rubber; wherein the phenol-containing polymer is present in an amount of at least 5 wt % and up to about 95 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii). The object may further contain an electrically conducting component dispersed within the blend or on a surface of the blend. Also described is a method of thermal-activated reversible mechanical deformation of the object by (i) deforming the object at a first temperature, which is at or above the glass transition temperature of the object, and applying a stress on the object; (ii) fixing the deformed state by cooling the object to a second temperature of no more than 0° C. while under stress, and removing the stress; and (iii) recovering the object to the original shape by raising the temperature of the object to the first temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resin composition containing a saponified ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer (A), cinnamic acids (B), and at least either one (C) of an alkali metal salt (C1) and an alkaline earth metal salt (C2) (provided that the component (C) excludes a salt of cinnamic acid), a melt-molded article using the composition, and a multilayer structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a carrier liquid and lignin or lignin derivatives; wherein at least one of the hydroxyl groups of the biomass have been substituted with ester groups and wherein the carrier liquid is a gas oil. The composition may be used for preparing fuels or lubricants.

Abstract: A method for separating dispersed algae from an aqueous system is provided. The method includes adding to the aqueous system a polymer including tannin to form flocculated aggregates, and separating the flocculated aggregates from the aqueous system. A method for pretreating water comprising dispersed algae in an algae biofuel production system is also provided. The method includes adding to the water a polymer including tannin to form flocculated aggregates, and separating the flocculated aggregates from the water.

Abstract: A polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin component having a weight-average molecular weight of up to 1,000,000 g/mol; and (ii) an acrylonitrile-containing copolymer rubber component comprising acrylonitrile units in combination with diene monomer units, and having an acrylonitrile content of at least 20 mol %; wherein said lignin component is present in an amount of at least 5 wt % and up to about 95 wt % by total weight of components (i) and (ii); and said polymer blend material possesses a tensile yield stress of at least 5 MPa, or a tensile stress of at least 5 MPa at 10% elongation, or a tensile stress of at least 5 MPa at 100% elongation. Methods for producing the polymer blend, molded forms thereof, and articles thereof, are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are low density fiber cement articles, such as fiber cement building panels and sheets, comprised of multiple overlaying fiber cement substrate layers having small and uniform entrained air pockets distributed throughout. Also disclosed herein are air entrainment systems and methods for manufacturing aerated low density fiber cement panels or sheets with consistent air void content and uniform air void distribution. Also disclosed herein are air entrainment technologies adapted to work in conjunction with the Hatschek process to produce aerated fiber cement articles having controlled air void content and distribution.

Abstract: A polymer blend material comprising: (i) a first polymer containing hydrogen bond donating groups having at least one hydrogen atom bound to a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, or an anionic version of said first polymer wherein at least a portion of hydrogen atoms bound to a heteroatom is absent and replaced with at least one electron pair; (ii) a second polymer containing hydrogen bond accepting groups selected from nitrile, halogen, and ether functional groups; and (iii) at least one modifying agent selected from carbon particles, ether-containing polymers, and Lewis acid compounds; wherein, if said second polymer contains ether functional groups, then said at least one modifying agent is selected from carbon particles and Lewis acid compounds. Methods for producing the polymer blend, molded forms thereof, and articles thereof, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire having a rubber tread of a lug and groove configuration wherein at least a portion of surface of the grooves is comprised of an elastomeric layer having a repellent property.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: A method for producing a trans-esterified hydroxypropyl lignin (HPL) is provided in one example embodiment and includes precipitating a lignin, dissolving the precipitated lignin in a solution, adding a reagent to the solution, adjusting the pH of the solution, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the trans-esterified HPL. In one example, a thermoplastic may be added to produce a trans-esterified HPL/thermoplastic blend.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, by using a resin composition including lignin and a curing agent in which the lignin is soluble in an organic solvent and contained in the resin composition in an amount of from 10 to 90% by mass, there are provided a molded product and a composite molded product which are obtained from plant resources as a main raw material and to which a good flame retardance and a good antibacterial property are imparted.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods involving the use of a carboxylate graft polymer having high molecular weight and low ratio of acid-to-polyoxyalkylene groups. Such clay-mitigation is particularly useful for treating clay and clay-bearing aggregates, particularly those aggregates used for construction purposes. The present invention minimizes the need to wash the aggregates, thus preserving fine aggregates (“fines”) content in construction materials, and thereby beneficiating the performance and/or properties of construction materials containing the clay-bearing aggregates.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified HPL can include a HPL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester.

Abstract: A process for producing lignin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The lignin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass. A process such as is described in various embodiments herein also provides articles and compositions that include lignin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a printing ink, in particular flexographic printing ink, or an overprint varnish, comprising a nitrated lignin as at least one binder component, to a process for preparing the same as well as to the use of a nitrated lignin as a binder component in a printing ink, in particular a flexographic printing ink, or an overprint varnish.

Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: In one example implementation, a trans-esterified APL can include an APL and a polyester including polyester chains. The polyester may be an aliphatic polyester, a semi-aromatic polyester, or an aromatic polyester. In other examples, an acetate ester of the APL can be used to swap carboxylic acid groups with the alcohol oligomer units in the polyester chains.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising 10 to 45% of the total solids weight lignin, polyacrylonitrile or a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, and a solvent to form a lignin-based polyacrylonitrile-containing dope and the resulting products. The dope can be processed to produce fibers, including precursor, oxidized and carbonized fibers. The oxidized fibers are of value for their flame resistant properties and carbonized fibers are suitable for use in applications requiring high strength fibers, or to be used to form composite materials.

Abstract: Binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one unsaturated compound having two or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds and at least one free radical precursor. At least one of the unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds can be a pi-bond that is not conjugated with an aromatic moiety and can be capable of free radical addition. The free radical precursor can be present in an amount of about 7 wt % to about 99 wt %, based on the weight of the one or more unsaturated compounds.

Abstract: Binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one polyphenolic compound, at least one unsaturated compound, and at least one free radical precursor. The unsaturated compound can have two or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds. At least one of the unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds can be a pi-bond that is not conjugated with an aromatic moiety and is capable of free radical addition.

Abstract: Lignin compositions, products produced from them or containing them, methods to produce them, spinning methods, methods to convert lignin to a conversion product and conversion products produced by the methods are described.

Abstract: A method for producing an APL is provided in one example embodiment and includes mixing a solvent, a catalyst, a reagent, and a HPL to create a solution, raising the temperature of the solution to a first reaction temperature, raising the temperature of the solution to a second reaction temperature, allowing reactions in the solution to occur for a predetermined amount of time, precipitating the solution to produce a precipitate, and washing, filtering, and drying the precipitate to produce the APL.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for recovery of derivatives of native lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks wherein the derivatives have a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that stable and predictable antioxidant activity is provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention is an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition having superior appearance characteristics (particularly decreased coloring and unevenness of the hue), and is accompanied by suppressed occurrence of yellowing, etc., in melt molding. An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer resin composition containing an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) and a compound having an enediol structure (B), in which a molar ratio of the compound (B) to vinyl alcohol units of the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (A) is 2.70×10?9 or greater and 2.70×10?5 or less.

Abstract: Compositions that include hydrophobizing agents and stabilizers and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, a composition can include about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % lignosulfonic acid or a salt thereof, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of a hydrophobizing agent, and about 20 wt % to about 59 wt % of a liquid medium, where all weight percents are based on the combined weight of the lignosulfonic acid or salt thereof, the hydrophobizing agent, and the liquid medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to softwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 2.5 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the softwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the softwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the softwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a composition comprising 10 to 45% of the total solids weight lignin, polyacrylonitrile or a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, and a solvent to form a lignin-based polyacrylonitrile-containing dope and the resulting products. The dope can be processed to produce fibers, including precursor, oxidized and carbonized fibers. The oxidized fibers are of value for their flame resistant properties and carbonized fibers are suitable for use in applications requiring high strength fibers, or to be used to form composite materials.

Abstract: A adhesive composition that includes at least the main components of a hydrolyzable tannin and at least one cationic polymer selected from the group including (poly-)lysine, (poly-)-DL-ornithine, ?-poly-ornithine, (poly-)arginine, (poly-)glutamine, (poly-)asparagine, (poly-)histidine, (poly-)proline, putrescine, spermidine, spermine, cadaverine, agmatine, citrulline and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an aqueous binder for a fiber mat, in particular mineral fibers, which comprises, in parts by weight: 50 to 95 parts of at least one lignosulfonic acid salt; 5 to 50 parts of at least one thermosetting resin selected from phenolic resins and urea-formaldehyde resins; and 5 to 20 parts of a curing catalyst selected from compounds containing phosphorus and sulfates per 100 parts of lignosulfonic acid salt and of thermosetting resin. It also concerns the products resulting from treatment of the fibers, especially mineral fibers, with said binder.

Abstract: A method for enhancing filtration performance in separating solids from liquids in an aqueous dispersion comprising a solids phase and a liquid phase in a two step process having a physical separation step and a filtration step comprising adding at least one filtration aid promoter and at least one synthetic polymer to the aqueous dispersion during and/or before the physical separation step resulting in concentrate and filtering the concentrate. The method may be applied in mining operations for dewatering mining slurry. Also, a composition applied in such method comprising at least one filtration aid promoter and at least one synthetic polymer. The filtration aid promoter comprises natural polymers, semi-natural polymers, coagulants and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for improving the flow rate of an aqueous dispersion which comprises adding a natural polymer to said aqueous system and then adding a synthetic polymer to the aqueous system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition comprising at least two polyesters having improved mechanical properties, in particular a good balance between ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus and elongation on failure. This composition is particularly suitable for the production of manufactured articles such as for example films, moulded objects, thermoformed objects or expanded articles.

Abstract: A compound includes a lignophenol derivative having a weight average molecular weight in a range of 5000 to 10000, and satisfying the following formula (1): 3.0?pH value?4.5??(1) wherein the pH value is a determined value for a liquid mixture containing 0.2 g of the lignophenol derivative added to 40 ml of pure water.

Abstract: Aqueous binder composition comprising an organic emulsifiable polyisocyanate, an aromatic polyester polyol and a alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid as trimerisation catalyst and its use for bonding mineral fibre or lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: Aqueous binder composition for granular and/or fibrous substrates

Abstract: A compound includes a lignophenol derivative having a weight average molecular weight in a range of 5000 to 10000, and satisfying the following formula (1): 3.0?pH value?4.5??(1) wherein the pH value is a determined value for a liquid mixture containing 0.2 g of the lignophenol derivative added to 40 ml of pure water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for recovery of derivatives of native lignin from lignocellulosic feedstocks wherein the derivatives have a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that stable and predictable antioxidant activity is provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: An aqueous wax dispersion comprising a soft wax having an oil content of greater than 20 wt % and from 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % urea for use as a hydrophobizing agent in the production of timber products. The soft wax has a softening point of less than 65° C. and is solid at about 10° C. and below.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a plurality of lignocellulosic pieces and an adhesive system disposed on the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces for bonding the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces. The adhesive system comprises a binder component and a tackifier component. The tackifier component comprises a cationic polymer. The tackifier component is useful for maintaining orientation of the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces during manufacture of the composite article. The composite article may be various engineered lignocellulosic composites, such as particleboard.

Abstract: A composite article comprises a plurality of lignocellulosic pieces and an adhesive system disposed on the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces for bonding the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces. The adhesive system comprises a binder component and a tackifier component. The tackifier component comprises a homo- and/or co-polymer of vinyl acetate. The tackifier component is useful for maintaining orientation of the plurality of lignocellulosic pieces during manufacture of the composite article. The composite article may be various engineered lignocellulosic composites, such as particleboard.

Abstract: Portland Cement-based concretes and mortars exhibit significant reduction in shrinkage cracking when combined with Magnesium Oxide (MgO), Shrinkage Reduction Admixtures (SRA) and Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). However, MgO is a solid that reacts with water, SRA is a liquid, and SAP if not added properly could pull water out of the system and thus increase shrinkage. Unique admixture blends used as supplementary cementing materials that do not significantly affect concrete or cement strength properties of Portland cement itself address such issues. Proper ratios of MgO, SRA and/or SAP perform better against crack reduction when compared to commonly used Expansive Cements (EC).

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing lignin product of a small particle size for improving burning efficiency and for avoiding typical equipment fouling problems while maximizing energy recovery.

Abstract: The use of water redispersible thermoplastic polymer powder stabilized with protective colloid as a binder in cork products produced from cork flour or granules allows use of reduced amounts of binder without compromising physical properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters obtained from aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, polyfunctional aromatic acids and diols, wherein the polyfunctional aromatic acids are constituted by mixtures of acids of renewable and synthetic origin.

Abstract: A process for producing odor-inhibiting water-absorbing polymer particles based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers bearing acid groups, wherein the polymer particles are coated with a chelating agent and a tannin.