Chronopol, Inc.

Xiaomao Chen

Kevin H Schilling

William E Kelly, Jr

Dan W Verser

The present invention is directed to degradable blends containing polylactide, a degradable impact modifier, and a degradable plasticizer for use in packaging films. The degradable impact modifier can be a degradable, non-toxic elastomer or a degradable, non-toxic, non-elastomeric polymer having a low glass transition temperature, such as polycaprolactone and poly(ethylene glycol). The degradable plasticizer can be any plasticizer having a relatively low molecular weight, a high degree of miscibility with polylactide, and non-toxicity. The film has excellent flexibility and impact strength for packaging applications.

Impact modified polylactide

A method is provided for the synthesis of environmentally degradable block copolymers which includes the sequential polymerization of polymer-forming materials in the presence of one or more polymerization reaction accelerants and catalysts. The accelerants are a class of hydrogen-labile compounds which act as polymerization initiators and accelerate the polymerization rate significantly. The environmentally degradable block copolymers produced include those comprising segments of polymers of alkylene oxides, trimethylene carbonates, lactones and cyclic esters of hydroxycarboxylic acids.

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Arvada, CO, United States of America

Xiaomao Chen