# US 2022/0275201 A1 · Biodegradable polymeric material, biodegradable products and methods of manufacture and use therefor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0275201 A1 - Document ID: US20220275201A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/561,279 - Filed: 2021-12-23 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-29 - Assignees: Erthos, Inc. - Applicants: Erthos Inc. - Inventors: Chang DONG; Kritika TYAGI; Nima ZARRINBAKHSH; Hossein ABDOLI; Jiahui WEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220275201A1 ## CPC - C08L 67/04: Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones (C08L67/06 takes precedence) - C08L 67/02: Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds (C08L67/06 takes precedence) - C08L 2201/06: Biodegradable - C08L 2205/02: containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group - Y02W 90/10: Bio-packaging, e.g. packing containers made from renewable resources or bio-plastics - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - Y02W: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT ## Abstract The invention encompasses biodegradable compositions (e.g., biodegradable plastics) and methods of preparation and use thereof, and disposable products made from the claimed compositions. Raw materials for preparing the biodegradable plastic include one or more polymers, fiber, starch, a plasticizer, and a coupling agent. The biodegradable composition has the advantages of short degradation cycle, good mechanical properties, and a low manufacturing cost. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A biodegradable composition comprising: (i) about 10-95% (w/w) of a polymer comprising one or more of biodegradable polyesters; (ii) about 0.1-50 (w/w) of starch; (iii) about 0.1-50 (w/w) of one or more of inorganic filler; and (iv) about 0.1-50 (w/w) of fiber comprising one or more of biomass, wherein the composition exhibits a 90% disintegration completion within about 180 to about 365 days in soil at ambient temperature. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more of additives selected from the group consisting of one or more of: (i) a plasticizer in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 15% (w/w); (ii) a coupling agent in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w); (iii) a compatibilizer in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w); (iv) an impact modifier in an amount of about 0.1 to about 30% (w/w), (v) a chain extender in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w), (vi) lubricant in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w), (vii) a stabilizer in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w), (viii) toner in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w), and (ix) pigment in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10% (w/w), or combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a disintegration onset within 7 days, on average, in soil at ambient temperature. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a bio-based carbon content of more than 50%. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a rigidity (represented by 1% secant flexural modulus) of greater than 1000 Mpa. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a strength (represented by maximum flexural stress) of greater than 30 Mpa. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits an impact strength (represented by notched Izod energy) of more than 30 J/m. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a MFI (melt flow index or melt flow rate) of greater than 10 g/10 min. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein composition exhibits a MFI (melt flow index or melt flow rate) of less than 10 g/10 min. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the polymer is one or more of biodegradable polyester is polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, polybutylene succinate terephthalate, polybutylene adipate terephthalate, or polyhydroxyalkanoates. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the starch is in native form or modified form including but not limited to thermoplastic starch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the biomass includes, but is not limited to, vinasse, vinegar residues, wood fiber, agricultural cellulosic matter from including straw, stalk, shive, hurd, bast, leaf, seed, fruit, and perennial grass, all in a non-continuous non-woven form including chopped pieces, particulates, dust or flour. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the inorganic filler includes, but is not limited to, wollastonite, mica, clay, calcium carbonate, glass fiber, talc, aluminum silicate, zirconium oxide, and gypsum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the plasticizer includes, but is not limited to, glycerin, ethylene glycol, xylitol, vegetable oils (virgin or epoxidized), and natural waxes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the coupling agent or compatibilizer includes, but is not limited to, titanate, aluminate, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-(2,3)epoxy (propoxy)propyltrimethoxysilane and γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane. ### Claim 16 (depends on 2) The biodegradable composition of claim 2, wherein the toner or pigment is at least one selected from the group consisting of fluorescent brightener and titanium dioxide. ### Claim 17 A method for preparing the biodegradable composition comprising the following steps: a. plasticizing a starch with the plasticizer; b. mixing uniformly with other raw materials of the biodegradable composition to prepare a premix; c. mixing the premix thoroughly at higher than ambient temperatures to prepare the biodegradable composition. ### Claim 18 A method for preparing the biodegradable composition comprising the following steps: a. mixing uniformly all materials of the biodegradable composition to prepare a premix, and then b. mixing the premix thoroughly at higher than ambient temperatures to prepare the biodegradable composition. ### Claim 19 A method for preparing the biodegradable composition comprising the following steps: a. feeding all materials of the biodegradable composition, individually or premixed with some other materials of the biodegradable composition, simultaneously into a mixer through more than one feeder b. mixing all materials of the biodegradable composition thoroughly at higher than ambient temperatures to prepare the biodegradable composition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising forming rigid parts using conventional polymer processing techniques comprising injection molding, compression molding, blow molding and extrusion molding. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising forming thin sheets or films using conventional polymer processing techniques comprising hot press, vacuum forming, cast extrusion, film blowing, or compression molding. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A disposable product, comprising the biodegradable composition of claim 1, wherein the disposable product is packing material or a consumer product.