Recyclable, biodegradable, and industrially compostable extruded foams, and methods of manufacturing the same

A process for producing a foam, the process comprising:

• introducing a masterbatch material into an extruder, the masterbatch material consisting essentially of one or more thermoplastic polymers that are recycled, recyclable, biodegradable, and/or compostable;
• mixing an inert gas with the masterbatch material prior to introducing the masterbatch material into the extruder, wherein the masterbatch material comprises pellets of the one or more thermoplastic polymers, and wherein mixing the inert gas with the masterbatch material comprises infusing the inert gas into the pellets of the one or more thermoplastic polymers;
• extruding the masterbatch material through the extruder to form a polymer melt;
• passing the polymer melt through a die to form an extrudate;
• and
• allowing the extrudate to expand into a foam.