Articles of Manufacture Comprising Nanocellulose Elements

A method of manufacturing a plastic article comprising a simple NCE-based material in a pliable state, comprising:

• a. producing a simple NCE-based material comprising redispersible NC elements, wherein the simple NCE-based material is produced by the substeps of:
• i. providing an initial suspension comprising NC elements suspended in a fluid medium;
• ii. combining a drying/dispersal additive with the initial suspension to form a pliable suspension of redispersible NCEs;
• and
• iii. adding one or more additive substances to the pliable suspension of redispersible NCEs while retaining pliability thereof, thereby forming the simple NCE-based material in a pliable state;
• b. forming or shaping the simple NCE-based material in the pliable state into a desired configuration, thereby manufacturing the plastic article.

A composite NCE-containing material comprising a composite NCE-containing matrix,

• wherein the composite NCE-containing matrix comprises a population of redispersible NCEs treated with a drying/dispersal additive comprising a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) polymer, and an existing matrix;
• wherein the redispersible NCEs are integrated into the existing matrix, and wherein the existing matrix provides an architectural framework for the composite NCE-containing material;
• and
• wherein the composite NCE-containing material further comprises a barrier formulation.