Biodegradable biocomposite and a process for its preparation

A process for the preparation of a biodegradable composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer material and a cellulosic material, and optionally one or more additives, said process comprising:

• i) producing cellulosic material in the form of compressed capsules in a single step by compression in a punching machine of cellulosic materials in the form of sheets and foils, said compressed capsules having millimetric size from 850 micrometers to 8 millimeters and being the same size, thickness and shape;
• ii) providing a) the cellulosic material in the form of compressed capsules, said capsules being optionally pre-treated with one or more additives, and b) a thermoplastic polymer material, and drying the cellulosic material in the form of compressed capsules and thermoplastic material to remove moisture;
• iii) mixing said dried cellulosic material in the form of compressed capsules and the dried thermoplastic polymer material, to form a dried mixture wherein said cellulosic material is at least 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture;
• and
• iv) melt extruding the mixture of step iii) at a temperature ranging from 130 to 1700 and forming extruded strands of said biodegradable composite.