Cargill Inc.

Cargill, Incorported

David Roy Witzke

Jeffrey John Kolstad

Patrick R Gruber

Mark H Hartmann

Aharon Eyal

Eric Stanley Hall

Betty Hazan

Andrea Lee Brosch

Rod R Fisher

Riki Canari

John N Starr

Christopher M Ryan

Aharon Meir Eyal

Jed Richard Randall

James Zakareya Nangeroni

James Lunt

Paul McWilliams

Mark Henry Hartman

Xiangsheng Meng

The techniques for processing lactic acid/lactate salt mixtures are provided. Preferred mixtures for processing are obtained from fermentation broths, preferably from fermentation processes conducted at a pH of 4.8 or lower. The techniques generally concern the provision of separated lactic acid and lactate streams, from the mixtures. Preferred techniques of separation and processing of each of the streams are provided.

Lactic acid processing; methods; arrangements; and, products

The invention is directed toward melt-processable lactide polymer compositions, processes for manufacturing these compositions, and articles made from these compositions. The compositions include a first phase, which contains a polylactide-based polymer, and a second phase which includes elastomer. The elastomer is present in an amount sufficient to provide a polymer composition having an impact resistance of at least about 0.7 ft-lb/in. after the melt-processable polymer composition has been injection molded into bars and tested according to ASTM D256 (1993) method C. Preferably, the compositions also include a reactive compatibilizing agent. Methods of making these compositions and articles made from these compositions are also disclosed.

Impact modified melt-stable lactide polymer compositions and processes for manufacture thereof

The invention relates to a lactic acid residue containing polymer composition and product having improved stability and to methods for the preparation and use thereof. The lactic acid residue containing polymer preferably includes a polylactide polymer having a number average molecular weight of between about 25,000 and about 200,000, lactide, if present at all, present in a concentration of less than 0.5 wt % based on the weight of the composition, and deactivating agents. Articles which can be manufactured from the lactic acid residue containing polymer composition include fibers, coated paper, films, moldings, and foam.

Lactic acid residue containing polymer composition and product having improved stability, and method for preparation and use thereof

Lactic acid processing; methods; arrangements; and, product

A composition comprising a polylactide polymer with improved extensional viscosity and methods of making the same are disclosed. The polylactide polymer composition is prepared by providing in the composition polylactide polymer molecules which have been modified, relative to linear non-substituted polylactide, to provide increased molecular interaction among polylactide backbone chains in the composition. The preferred polylactide polymer composition has a number average molecular weight of at least about 10,000 (preferably at least 50,000) and a polydispersity of at least about 2.5. In addition, the polylactide polymer composition should have a neck-in ratio of less than about 0.8.

Viscosity-modified lactide polymer composition and process for manufacture thereof

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

David Roy Witzke