Plantic Technologies Limited

Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen & Co Kg

Biotec Biologische Naturverpackungen Gmb

Kishan Khemani

Simon K Hodson

Graeme Moad

Harald Schmidt

Robert Shanks

Guoxin Li

Antonietta Genovese

Jana Habsuda

Wasantha Gunaratne

Lance Nichols

George Simon

Edmond Lascaris

Nicholas John McCaffrey

Peter Arnold Morken

Karlheinz Hausmann

Nicholas Roy Oakley

Rulande Henderson

Paul Anthony Perry

In one aspect, the invention provides a substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material including starch and hydrophobically modified layered silicate clay. In another aspect, the invention provides packaging made from material including the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above. The nanocomposite material has improved mechanical and rheological properties and reduced sensitivity to moisture in that the rates of moisture update and/or loss are reduced. In another aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material described above, including a step of mixing the starch in the form of an aqueous gel with the hydrophobic clay in a melt mixing device. In a further aspect, the invention provides a process for preparing the substantially exfoliated nanocomposite material, including the steps of mixing the starch with the hydrophobic clay to form a masterbatch (hereinafter 'the masterbatch process') and mixing the masterbatch with further starch.

Starch nanocomposite materials

A biodegradable injection mouldable polymer composition including on a dry weight basis from 45-85% w/w by weight of a starch and/or a modified high amylose starch, from 2-15% w/w by weight of a water soluble polymer preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten state of the starch components, and from 5-45% w/w by weight of one or more polyol plasticizers having a molecular weight in the range of 50-6000, more preferably 50-2500, and still more preferably 100-400 and preferably selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, polyglycerol, glycerol trioleate, tributyl citrate, acetyl tri-ethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, polyethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol; more preferably glycerol, maltitol, sorbitol, erythritol and xylitol. The composition is preferably substantially soluble in water.

Mouldable biodegradable polymer

A polymer composition and its use for thin film packaging applications including on a dry basis: a) from 45 to 90% by weight of starch; b) from 0.1 to 15% by weight of a water soluble polymer selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylacetate, and copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol which have a melting point compatible with the molten state of the starch component; and c) from 5 to 45% by weight of one or more plasticizers having a molecular weight in the range of 50-6000, more preferably 50-2500 and more preferably still 100-400 and desirably selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, glycerol, maltitol, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, glycerol trioleate, tributyl citrate, acetyl tri-ethyl citrate, glyceryl triacetate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate, polyethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.

Polymeric films

Disclosed is a composition comprises or is produced from a biopolymer, an olefin copolymer, and an optional polymer wherein the biopolymer comprises repeat units derived from a glycoside. Also disclosed is an article comprising or produced from the composition.

Composition comprising biopolymer

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. &#x201c;Hard&#x201d; biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10&#xb0; C. &#x201c;Soft&#x201d; biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0&#xb0; 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. Wraps will typically be manufactured to have good &#x201c;dead-fold&#x201d; properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an &#x201c;unwrapped&#x201d; form.

Biodegradable films and sheets suitable for use as coatings, wraps and packaging materials

Biodegradable polymer blends for use in making films, sheets and other articles of manufacture

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. &#x201c;Hard&#x201d; biopolymers tend to be more brittle and rigid and typically have a glass transition temperature greater than about 10&#xb0; C. &#x201c;Soft&#x201d; biopolymers tend to be more flexible and pliable and typically have a glass transition temperature less than about 0&#xb0; 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. Wraps will typically be manufactured to have good &#x201c;dead-fold&#x201d; properties so as to remain in a wrapped position and not spring back to an &#x201c;unwrapped&#x201d; form.

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Williamstown, Australia

Kishan Khemani