Pactiv Corporation

Columbia University

Y Paul Handa

Gary A Francis

Glenn C Castner

Mohammad Zafar

Yunwa Wilson Cheung

David V Dobreski

Richard Turner

Mark Wheeler

Jiayan Gu

Process for producing a thermoplastic polymer foam article includes preparing an expandable polymeric formulation comprising a thermoplastic polymer and a blowing agent blend, forming the formulation into an expandable bead, and expanding the expandable bead to form a thermoplastic polymer foam article. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate, hydrocarbon, and either carbon dioxide or 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a). The blowing agent blend has a higher effective volatility than that of methyl formate alone. A thermoplastic polymer foam article prepared by a process is also provided.

Reduced-VOC and non-VOC blowing agents for making expanded and extruded thermoplastic foams

A blowing agent blend for making thermoplastic polymer foams includes methyl formate. The blowing agent blend can further comprise at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend includes methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce dimensionally stable foams that have improved resistance to flame spread. A process for the preparation of such foams is also provided.

Expanded and extruded polyolefin foams are obtained using environmentally benign non-VOC methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g., non-VOC), which is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s) or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend can include any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The polymer foam can include polyethylene, polypropylene or a combination thereof. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as for insulation and protective cushioning. Processes for the preparation of such foams are also provided.

Expanded and extruded polyolefin foams made with methyl formate-based blowing agents

The present invention relates to compositions comprising blends of alkenyl aromatic polymers such as styrenic polymers (i.e. PS and HIPS) and bio-based or biodegradable polymers (i.e. PLA, PGA, PHA, PBS, PCL) compatibilized with styrene-based copolymers (i.e. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, maleated SEBS, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer) or a mixture of two or more styrene-based copolymers such as SEBS and SMA. These novel compositions can be extruded and thermoformed to produce very low density food service and consumer foam articles such as plates, hinged lid containers, trays, bowls, and egg cartons with good mechanical properties.

Polymer blends of biodegradable or bio-based and synthetic polymers and foams thereof

Expanded and extruded biodegradable polymer foams are obtained using biodegradable polymers and environmentally benign non-VOC methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g., non-VOC), which is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend can include any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The polymer foam can include a biodegradable polymer or its blends with other biodegradable polymers or conventional (non-biodegradable) polymers. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as for insulation and protective cushioning. Processes for the preparation of such foams are also provided.

Expanded and extruded biodegradable and reduced emission foams made with methyl formate-based blowing agents

A blowing agent blend for making polyolefin foams comprising isopentane and at least one co-blowing agent. The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent having a boiling point less than 28&#xb0; C., or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The blowing agent blend comprises less than about 99 mol % isopentane.

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Pittsford, NY, United States of America

Y Paul Handa