Abstract: The invention relates to a tough-elastic material based on starch, which on the one hand has high impact toughness at low humidities, and on the other hand still has a high modulus of elasticity at high humidities and has a high elongation capacity in a broad range of humidities and on account of its property profile is suited to use as molded elements such as for example for foils, films, fibers, injection-molded articles, in particular as edible film and for the packaging of active ingredients, chemicals, aromas and perfumes as well as high-quality substitution of gelatine in the area of soft and hard capsules. The tough-elastic material can be obtained transparent and adjusted such that it dissolves on swelling in water or respectively disintegrates or remains intact.

Abstract: A biodegradable aliphatic polyester, such as polylactic acid, is mixed with a monomer having allyl and molded into a molding having the crosslinking degree of the biodegradable aliphatic polyester increased. Thereafter, the molding is exposed to ionizing radiation to thereby obtain a molding excelling in heat resistance. Triallyl isocyanurate or triallyl cyanurate is used as the monomer having allyl.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic compositions comprising a polymer matrix and an additive which modifies the rheological behavior of the matrix in the molten state. The purpose of the invention is to provide a preferably non-reactive additive which can be dispersed in the matrix and which can be used to obtain a good compromise in terms of rheological properties/mechanical properties. According to the invention, the additive is a hyperbranched polymer which is functionalized by R<2> radicals, R<2> being a radical of the following type: substituted or non-substituted hydrocarbon, of the silicon type, linear or branched alkyl, aromatic, arylalkyl, alkylaryl or cycloaliphatic, which can comprise one or more unsaturations and/or one or more heteroatoms.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a novel water-absorbing agent, which exhibits an excellent absorption capacity under a load (AAP), gel layer liquid permeation rate under a load (FRUP), saline flow conductivity (SFC), and shape-maintaining property and ball burst strength (BBS) of a swollen water-absorbing agent aggregate, and excellent persistency of these effects for a long time. The water-absorbing agent, which comprises a polymer obtained by a process including the steps of polymerizing and then crosslinking a monomer including acrylic acid and/or a salt thereof, with the water-absorbing agent being characterized by: (1) exhibiting a free swelling capacity of not less than 23 g/g (GV), a gel deformation of not more than 12.5 cm under a short-time load (0.5 hrPT), and a gel deformation deterioration of not more than 3.

Abstract: The invention provides a process wherein starch and/or a starch derivative can be gelatinised more efficiently by means a thermo mechanical treatment, when a carbohydrate polymer is used comprising aldehyde containing monomer units which comprise one or more aldehyde groups that are derived from one or more a primary alcohol groups. With this process a granulate or other semi-finished product can be obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. The invention further provides a granulate, a shaped starch product, a food product or a blown starch film comprising such a carbohydrate polymer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blend of biodegradable polymers comprising: (A) about 5% to about 95% by weight of at least one flexible biodegradable polymer (A) having a glass transition less than about 0° C., (B) about 5% to about 95% by weight of at least one rigid biodegradable polymer (B) having a glass transition greater than about 10° C., and (C) about 0.25 to about 10 weight % of at least one compatibilizer (C), said percentages being based on the total weight of the polymer blend; where the polymer blend has a higher zero shear melt viscosity than polymers (A) and (B) separately.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer blends suitable for laminate coatings, wraps and other packaging materials are manufactured from a blend of suitable biodegradable polymers, such as at least one “hard” biopolymer and at least one “soft” biopolymer. “Hard” biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10° C. “Soft” biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0° C. While hard and soft polymers each possess certain intrinsic benefits, certain blends of hard and soft polymers have been discovered which possess synergistic properties superior to those of either hard or soft polymers by themselves. Biodegradable polymers include polyesters, polyesteramides, polyesterurethanes, thermoplastic starch, and other natural polymers. The polymer blends may optionally include an inorganic filler. Films and sheets made from the polymer blends may be textured so as to increase the bulk hand feel.

Abstract: A self-dispersed pigment ink composition is provided which gives reliable printing performance and yields printed images that have excellent print quality and a dispersant which can realize the ink composition. New polyuronic acid derivatives, as a dispersant, according to the present invention characterized in that polyuronic acids are attached by reductively amination, through reducing termini of the polyuronic acids, to glyceryl poly(oxypropylene) triamine.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polymer compositions, films, continues, closures, laminates can comprise a modified vinyl polymer said modified polymer having a moiety comprising a cyclodextrin compound. The cyclodextrin compound, locked into the polymer structure, can absorb impurities, permeants, or other undesirable volatile materials. The cooperation between the cyclodextrin grafted onto the thermoplastic polymer and the polymer structure can provide barrier properties to a film, web or other polymer structure. A permeant or a contaminant can be complexed or trapped within the polymer and held within the film or Web preventing the permeant or contaminant from passing into the interior of a container or enclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an inhibited non-solubilized granular starch modified by less than 5% of a carboxylated polymer. In addition, a process is provided wherein a non-solubilized, substantially granular starch is mixed with a carboxylated polymer, dried to form a starch/carboxylated polymer blend and then physically treated to form a starch/carboxylated polymer composite. Further, this invention relates to the improved industrial and food products prepared from these starch/carboxylated polymer composites.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorbent polymers based on optionally partially neutralised, monoethylenically unsaturated, acid group-carrying monomers. The surfaces of said polymers are re-cross-linked. The inventive polymers also have cyclodextrines and/or cyclodextrine derivatives which are covalently and/or ionically bonded and/or included therein.

Abstract: A composition for treating a keratin based substrate that includes a cosmetically acceptable medium containing a water-soluble interjacent complex. The water-soluble interjacent complex includes a first water-soluble polymer and a second water-soluble polymer formed by polymerizing one or more water-soluble monomers in the presence of the first water-soluble polymer. The water-soluble interjacent complex is characterized in that it forms a solution in water that is free of insoluble polymer particles. The water-soluble interjacent complex is used in a method of treating a keratin based substrate, whereby a cosmetically acceptable medium is applied to the substrate and contains from 0.1-20% by weight of the water-soluble interjacent complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorbent polymers based on optionally partially neutralised, monoethylenically unsaturated, acid group-carrying monomers. The surfaces of said polymers are re-cross-linked. The inventive polymers also have cyclodextrines and/or cyclodextrine derivatives which are covalently and/or ionically bonded and/or included therein.

Abstract: Anionic, hydrophobic polysaccharides useful as soil release agents in detergent compositions are graft copolymers of a polysaccharide having anionic substituents with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, the copolymer having a polysaccharide backbone carrying grafted hydrophobic vinyl polymeric groups derived from the ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and anionic substituents. The polymers exhibit enhanced release of both oily and particulate soil from both polyester and cotton.

Abstract: A process for modifying starch by heating starch in an aqueous medium to temperatures above the gelatinization temperature of said starch comprises effecting said modifying of said starch in the presence of (a) a polymeric cationizer selected from the group consisting of the polymers containing vinylamine units and having molar masses of up to 1 million, the polyethyleneimines, the polydiallyldimethylammonium chlorides, the condensates of dimethylamine with epichlorohydrin or dichloroalkanes, the condensates of dichloroethane and ammonia, and the mixtures thereof, and (b) polymeric papermaking drainage aids selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble crosslinked polyamidoamines with or without an ethyleneimine graft, the polymers containing acrylamide and/or methacrylamide units and having molar masses of more than 1 million, the polymers containing vinylamine units and having molar masses of more then 1 million, and the mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides cross-linkable polymer powder compositions containing a) at least one water-soluble polyhydroxy compound; b) at least one boric acid complex compound which is of limited solubility in water that is, it has a water solubility of less than 10 g per liter at normal conditions; and optionally c) a water-soluble film-forming polymer consisting of one or more free-radical polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The compositions are useful as a constituent in adhesives, plaster, jointing mortars, paints and binders for coating compositions, textiles, paper and the like.

Abstract: A water absorbent material, comprising, as a main component, a water absorbent resin which has a structure in which a anhydropolyamino acid having an ethylenically unsaturated double bond is grafted with polysaccharides, wherein at least a portion of the anhydropolyamino acid is hydrolyzed and crosslinked, has high water absorbency and high biodegradability even if the anhydropolyamino acid has a low molecular weight.

Abstract: A method of making a biodegradable polymer composition including the steps of providing a first component being either one of a thermoplastic poly(hydroxy ester ether) or a synthetic, hydroxy-functional polymer and providing a second component being a natural polymer. The method includes the steps of mixing the first component and second component together to form a mixture, compounding the mixture, and pelletizing the compounded mixture to form pellets of a biodegradable polymer composition.

Abstract: A hydrogel forming system which comprises a hydrophobic macromer with unsaturated group terminated ends and a hydrophilic polymer which is a polysaccharide (e.g., dextran) containing hydroxy groups which are reacted with unsaturated group introducing compound, is convertible by free radical polymerization to form a hydrogel containing a three dimensional crosslinked polymer network containing hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. Agent can be entrapped in the polymer network, e.g., drugs, macromolecules or synthetic or natural polymers, for controlled release therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new composition of matter which comprises hydroxybutenyl derivatives of cyclodextrins (HBenCD) or mixed ethers of cyclodextrins where at least one of the ether substituents is hydroxybutenyl (HBenRCD where R is an ether substituent other than hydroxybutenyl). This invention also relates to novel processes for the preparation of cyclodextrin ethers. This invention further relates to inclusion complexes formed between HBenCD or HBenRCD and guest molecules. Such inclusion complexes are useful in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications. Furthermore, this invention relates to the incorporation of HBenCD or HBenRCD or their inclusion complexes in thermoplastic materials, textiles or membranes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optionally foamed sealing composition for preformed seals which can swell when treated with water. The invention also relates to a method for the production thereof out of natural rubber and/or elastomers with a matrix comprised of natural rubber/elastomer components and particle-shaped water absorbing material stored therein. The water absorbing material is a combination of (A) polysaccharide(s) selected from cellulose, starch, starch derivatives removed from grafted starch, amylose, amylopectin, dextran, pectin, inulin, chitin, xanthan, alginic acid, alginates, carrageenan, pustulan, callose, laminarin, guluronic acid, pullulan, lichenin or mixtures of the same with (B) a highly water absorbent synthetic polymer selected from polymers based on (meth)acrylate, poly(meth)acrylic acid and the salts thereof, polyacrylamide, polyalcohols or copolymers of said synthetic polymers.

Abstract: Homogeneous mixtures are described and can be processed to give shaped biodegradable and physiologically nonhazardous articles, such as packagings for food or drink or pharmaceutical products, sausage casings and the like. The mixtures comprise dialdehyde starch with a degree of oxidation of greater than 30%, starch which does not exhibit any iodine-starch reaction, and/or modified starch, water and other plasticizers, and also, if desired, other biopolymers and additives.

Abstract: Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a highly biocompatible hydrophilic polyether, is tethered to poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF), a biodegradable polyester. To avoid change in molecular weight distribution of PPF, end hydroxyl groups of PPF are reacted with bis-carboxymethyl PEG after being treated with thionyl chloride. New end carboxyl groups of the PEG-tethered PPF are further reacted with N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to couple bioactive molecules. Glutamine and glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (GRGD) are attached to the PEG-tethered PPF in 50 mM phosphate buffer of pH of 7.4. The method is valuable for the preparation of a triblock copolymer with PEG end blocks and the coupling of biologically active molecules.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a first component being a hydroxy-functional polymer, a second component being a natural polymer and a third component being a thermoplastic polyester. The first component, second component and third component are compounded to form a polymer composition.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is an additive composition for paper making which is added to the pulp prior to web formation in order to increase the wet strength of the web. The basic component of the composition is a component made from starch, which to its molecular weight has been thinned to a viscosity level of 10 to 400 (5%, 60° C.

Abstract: Pigment dispersed aqueous ink jet ink compositions suitable for printing on plain paper. The ink comprises water as the principal solvent, a pigment and a pigment dispersant. The pigment dispersant is a derivative of a polyuronic acid in which a hydrophobic polymer is covalently attached to the reducing terminus of the polyuronic acid. The polyuronic acid is composed primarily of 1,4-linked polygalacturonic acid, polyguluronic acid, polyiduronic acid, or mixed polymers thereof.

Abstract: Starch is modified with at least one cationic polymer P) and the modified starch is prepared by a process in which a) an anionically modified starch A) is reacted with a cationic polymer P) or b) a natural starch B) or a starch C) which has not been anionically modified is reacted with the cationic polymer P) in the presence of an anionic modifier M) and the polymer-modified starch is used.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture containing at least one biopolymer made from renewable raw materials and a polymer selected from the following materials: an aromatic polyester; a polyester-copolymer with both aliphatic and aromatic blocks; a polyesteramide; a polyglycol; a polyester urethane; and/or mixtures of these components. The preferred renewable raw material is starch, more preferably native starch, most preferably native starch that has been predried.

Abstract: Thermoplastic starch compositions that include a particulate filler, e.g. an inorganic filler component, and optional fibrous component The compositions include a thermoplastic phase comprising a thermoplastic starch melt that contains, at a minimum, starch blended with an appropriate plasticizing agent under conditions in order for the starch to form a thermoplastic melt. The thermoplastic phase may also include one or more additional thermoplastic polymers and other optional reactants, liquids or cross-linking agents to improve the water-resistance, strength, and/or other mechanical properties of the thermoplastic melt, particularly upon solidification. The inorganic filler component may affect the mechanical properties but will mainly be added to reduce the cost of the thermoplastic starch compositions by displacing a significant portion of the more expensive starch or starch/polymer melt.

Abstract: A biologically degradable polymer mixture is proposed which consists essentially of starch and at least one hydrophobic polymer. The hydrophobic polymer is in this connection at least substantially biologically degradable and thermoplastically processable and the mixture with the starch comprising a polymer phase mediator or a macromolecular dispersing agent so that the starch is present in the mixture as disperse phase with the hydrophobic polymer as continuous phase, and the phase mediator or the dispersing agent is responsible for the molecular coupling of the two phases. As starch there is preferably used thermoplastic starch which has been prepared substantially with the exclusion of water by means of sorbitol or glycerol. The production of the biologically degradable polymer mixture is also carried out substantially with the exclusion of water.