Foamed Articles Of Manufacture Comprising Nanocellulose Elements

A method of manufacturing a foamed article comprising a simple NCE-based material, 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 suspension of redispersible NCEs;
• and
• iii. adding an additive substance to the suspension of redispersible NCEs, thereby forming the simple NCE-based material;
• b. exposing the simple NCE-based material to the action of a foam-forming substance or a foam-forming process to form a foamed simple NCE-based material;
• c. forming or shaping the foamed simple NCE-based material into a desired configuration to provide the foamed article.

A foamed 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;
• wherein the composite NCE-containing material comprises a barrier formulation;
• and wherein at least one of the composite NCE-containing matrix, the existing matrix, or the composite NCE material is exposed to a foam-forming formulation or a foam-forming process whereby the composite NCE-containing material is transformed into a foamed composite NCE-containing material.