COMPOSIÇÃO COSMÉTICA, E, PROCESSO PARA FORMAR UMA COMPOSIÇÃO COSMÉTICA

Abstract

Cosmetic compositions comprising biodegradable microparticles formed from biodegradable mixed cellulose esters are provided. More particularly, cosmetic compositions are provided that contain environmentally friendly cellulose-based microparticles, which can be used in a wide array of cosmetic and personal care applications, and provide enhanced cosmetic attributes.

Description

/ 100 Cosmetic composition, and process for forming a cosmetic composition. FUNDAMENTALS

[001] Microparticles are particles less than 1 millimeter (mm) in diameter. These particles are sometimes included in consumer products, such as personal care and cosmetic products. Many of these products containing microparticles are designed to be applied and then washed or rinsed off the user's body. When products containing microparticles are washed or rinsed off the user's body, the particles are washed down the drain and received at municipal water treatment facilities. In the past, many known microparticles were formed from plastic or polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon, polyurethane, and the like. These materials generally have limited biodegradability.Furthermore, the small size of the particles limits their ability to be captured in water treatment plants, so the particles may be discharged from the plants and into larger bodies of water (e.g., rivers, seas, and oceans). Once in these larger bodies of water, the plastic or polymeric microparticles may be ingested by wildlife or cause other environmental concerns. Thus, the possibility of producing microparticles from more environmentally friendly materials has recently been explored. However, consumers tend to have high expectations when it comes to the personal care and / or cosmetic products they use, including those containing microparticles.

[002] Thus, it is desirable to develop commercially desirable cosmetic compositions containing biodegradable microparticles that meet the high expectations of everyday consumers. SUMMARY Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 14 / 133 / 100

[003] In one aspect, the present technology relates to a cosmetic composition comprising biodegradable microparticles, wherein the biodegradable microparticles comprise a mixed cellulose ester. The biodegradable microparticles also exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods. Furthermore, the mixed cellulose ester comprises: (a) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) in the range of 0.1 to 2.3, (b) an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) or an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) in the range of 0.1 to 1.5, and (c) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) in the range of 0.6 to 2.8.

[004] In one aspect, the present technology relates to a cosmetic composition comprising 0.5 to 15 percent by weight of biodegradable microparticles, wherein the biodegradable microparticles comprise a mixed cellulose ester. In embodiments, the biodegradable microparticles also exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability in 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods and have an average BET surface area in the range of 0.1 to 100 or 1 to 20 m2 / g. In addition, in embodiments, the mixed cellulose ester comprises: (a) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) in the range of 0.1 to 2.3, or 1.5 to 2.3; (b) an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) in the range of 0.1 to 1.5, or 0.1 to 0.3; and (c) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) in the range of 0.6 to 2.8, or 0.6 to 1.0.

[005] In one aspect, the present technology relates to a process for forming a cosmetic composition comprising biodegradable microparticles. Generally, the process comprises: (a) providing a plurality of biodegradable microparticles comprising Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 15 / 133 / 100 a mixed cellulose ester, in which biodegradable microparticles exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability in 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods; (b) combine the biodegradable microparticles with one or more cosmetic additives to thereby form a pre-cosmetic mixture; and (c) form the cosmetic composition from the pre-cosmetic mixture. In addition, the mixed cellulose ester comprises: (a) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) in the range of 0.1 to 2.3, (b) an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) or an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) in the range of 0.1 to 1.5, and (c) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) in the range of 0.6 to 2.8. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[006] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example process for producing cellulose ester microparticles.

[007] FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic diagram of an example process for producing cellulose ester microparticles.

[008] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative process for producing cellulose ester microparticles by serialized particle formation.

[009] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an alternative process for producing cellulose ester microparticles by separate doping and aqueous mixture formation and combined emulsion / dispersion formation and particle hardening.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an alternative process for producing cellulose ester microparticles by combined emulsion / dispersion formation.

[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an alternative process for producing cellulose ester microparticles by forming Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 16 / 133 / 100 combined emulsion / dispersion and particle hardening.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternative process for producing cellulose ester microparticles by solvent evaporation (flashing) before hardening the particles. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] This disclosure is directed to cosmetic compositions formed with biodegradable cellulose ester microparticles that exhibit superior properties compared to conventional microparticles. The processes disclosed in this document allow the solidity of the produced microparticles to be controlled so that microparticles with desirable properties can be obtained. Alternatively, microparticles produced by mechanical micronization or size reduction from bulk cellulose esters (as produced) can also provide the CE microparticles with desirable properties. These qualities, together with the biodegradability of CE, make the CE microparticles produced in this document desirable for use in cosmetic compositions.

[0014] The present invention can be more easily understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention and to the Examples provided herein. It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific methods, formulations and conditions described, as these may vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used in this document is intended to describe particular aspects of the disclosed embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0015] Values ​​can be expressed as about or approximately a given number. Similarly, ranges can be expressed in this document as about a specific value and / or to about another specific value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from a particular value and / or to another value. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 17 / 133 / 100 particular. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, by the preceding use of approximately, it will be understood that the particular value forms a different aspect.

[0016] As used in this document, the terms a, an and the mean one or more.

[0017] As used in this document, the term and / or, when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be used alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B and / or C, the composition may contain only A; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B and C in combination.

[0018] As used in this document, the terms comprising, includes and comprise are open transitional terms used to transition from a subject mentioned before the term to one or more elements mentioned after the term, where the element or elements listed after the transitional term are not necessarily the only elements that make up the subject.

[0019] As used in this document, the terms having, has and have have the same open meaning as understanding, understands and understand given above.

[0020] As used in this document, the terms including, includes and include have the same open meaning as comprising, comprises and include provided above.

[0021] As used in this document, a mixed cellulose ester should denote a cellulose ester with at least two different ester substituents on a single cellulose ester polymer chain.

[0022] Degree of Substitution is used to describe the average level Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 18 / 133 / 100 of substitution of substituents per anhydroglucose unit (AGU). Generally, conventional cellulose contains three hydroxyl groups in each AGU that can be substituted. Therefore, the DS can have a value between 0 and 3. However, low molecular weight cellulose mixed esters may have a total degree of substitution slightly above 3 from the end-group contributions. Low molecular weight cellulose mixed esters are discussed in more detail subsequently in this disclosure. As DS is a statistical average value, a value of 1 does not guarantee that each AGU has a single substituent. In some cases, there may be unsubstituted anhydroglucose units, some with two and some with three substituents, and most of the time the value will be a non-integer number. Total DS is defined as the average number of all substituents per anhydroglucose unit.The degree of substitution by AGU can also refer to a particular substituent, such as hydroxyl, acetyl, butyryl, or propionyl. Additionally, the degree of substitution can specify a given hydroxyl group based on the carbon unit of the anhydroglucose unit.

[0023] When the degree of substitution refers to hydroxyl groups, i.e., DSOH, the reference is to the average hydroxyl groups per anhydroglucose that are not substituted. As a result, DSOH is not used in the calculation of the total degree of substitution.

[0024] The present description uses numerical ranges to quantify certain parameters related to the invention. It should be understood that when numerical ranges are provided, such ranges should be interpreted as providing literal support for claim limitations that cite only the lower value of the range, as well as claim limitations that cite only the upper value of the range. For example, a disclosed numerical range of 10 to 100 provides literal support for a claim citing greater than 10 (no upper limits) and a claim citing less than 100 (no lower limits). Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 19 / 133 / 100

[0025] The present description uses specific numerical values ​​to quantify certain parameters related to the invention, where the specific numerical values ​​are not expressly part of a numerical range. It should be understood that each specific numerical value provided in this document should be interpreted as providing literal support for a broad, intermediate, and narrow range. The broad range associated with each specific numerical value is the numerical value plus and minus 60 percent of the numerical value, rounded to two significant digits. The intermediate range associated with each specific numerical value is the numerical value plus and minus 30 percent of the numerical value, rounded to two significant digits. The narrow range associated with each specific numerical value is the numerical value plus and minus 15 percent of the numerical value, rounded to two significant digits.For example, if the descriptive report describes a specific temperature of 62 °F, such a description provides literal support for a broad numerical range of 25 °F to 99 °F (62 °F + / - 37 °F), an intermediate numerical range of 43 °F to 81 °F (62 °F + / - 19 °F), and a narrow numerical range of 53 °F to 71 °F (62 °F + / - 9 °F). These broad, intermediate, and narrow numerical ranges should be applied not only to the specific values ​​but also to the differences between those specific values. Thus, if the descriptive report describes a first pressure of 110 psia and a second pressure of 48 psia (a difference of 62 psi), the broad, intermediate, and narrow ranges for the pressure difference between these two streams would be 25 to 99 psi, 43 to 81 psi, and 53 to 71 psi, respectively.

[0026] Throughout this application, where patents or publications are referenced, disclosures of those references in their entirety are intended to be incorporated by reference into this application, to the extent that they are not inconsistent with the present invention, in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which the invention belongs. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 20 / 133 / 100

[0027] In certain respects, CE microparticles can be produced by means of an emulsion or solvent process. With reference now to FIG. 1, cellulose ester (CE) 100, solvent 102, water 104, hydrocolloid 106 and surfactant 108 can be combined in one or more units to produce CE microparticles 112. In the illustrated example, CE 100, solvent 102, water 104, hydrocolloid 106 and surfactant 108 are combined in unit 110 to form an initial emulsion therein. The initial emulsion includes a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. The dispersed phase includes at least one portion of EC 100 and at least one portion of solvent 102. The continuous phase includes at least one portion of water 104, at least one portion of hydrocolloid 106, and at least one portion of surfactant 108.

[0028] Once combined, the initial emulsion can be stirred in unit 110 to form a pre-hardened dispersion including a solid phase and a liquid phase. The solid phase includes initial microparticles including at least one portion of CE 100 and at least one portion of solvent 102. The liquid phase includes at least one portion of water 104, at least one portion of hydrocolloid 106, and at least one portion of surfactant 108. Additional water 104 (i.e., a drowning / extractor liquid) can be added to the pre-hardened dispersion to increase the water concentration around the initial microparticles. An initial hardening dispersion including the initial microparticles and the drowning liquid is formed therefrom. The initial hardening dispersion can be stirred in unit 110 to promote solvent transfer from the initial microparticles to the drowning liquid.This solvent transfer facilitates the hardening of the initial microparticles to produce hardened CE 112 microparticles, which are carried in a solvent-laden drowning liquid.

[0029] CE 112 microparticles can be recovered from Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 21 / 133 / 100 of this dispersion 114 first by processing in a solid / liquid separation unit 116. A solid stream 118 including EC microparticles 112 can be piped to a solid processing unit 120, where the EC microparticles 112 are washed with water 122 and then dried to recover the EC microparticles 112, as will be described in more detail below. A liquid stream 124 formed from the solvent-loaded drowning liquid can be piped to a liquid processing unit 126. Optionally, an excess liquid stream 128 piped from unit 110 and a wash water stream 130 from unit 120 can also be received at unit 126 for processing therein.

[0030] In unit 126, the liquids received therein can be separated into at least one water-enriched stream 132 and one solvent-enriched stream 134. In some embodiments, the water-enriched stream 132 can be recovered and at least a portion of which used in unit 110, for example. Furthermore, the solvent-enriched stream 134 can be recycled and used as at least a portion of the solvent to form EC microparticles 112 in unit 110. The reuse of the recovered water and / or solvent facilitates the improvement of the economics of the EC microparticle formation processes described in this document.

[0031] In certain aspects, EC microparticles can be produced from mixed cellulose esters (e.g., cellulose acetate butyrate CAB) by subjecting a bulk cellulose ester (EC) form to a mechanical micronization or size reduction process. In embodiments, the mechanical micronization or size reduction process is a spraying process that uses one or more high-velocity gas or liquid jets to pulverize and reduce the size of the bulk EC material. In embodiments, the spraying process is a process of Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 22 / 133 / 100 jet milling that uses one or more high-speed gas jets (e.g., air or inert gas) to reduce the size of bulk EC material. In embodiments, the jet milling process utilizes a fluidized bed opposed jet mill. In embodiments, the mechanical size reduction process provides EC microparticles with an average sphericity of less than 60, or less than 50, or less than 40, or less than 30 percent. In embodiments, the mechanical size reduction process provides EC microparticles with an average particle size D[4,3] less than 40, or less than 30, or less than 20 microns. Mixed cellulose esters

[0032] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE 100 may be a mixed cellulose ester.

[0033] Generally, the cellulose esters described in this document, such as CE 100, can be produced by any method known in the art. Examples of processes for the production of cellulose esters are taught in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 5th Edition, Vol. 5, Wiley-Interscience, New York (2004), pp. 394-444, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Cellulose, the starting material for the production of cellulose esters, can be obtained in different grades and from sources such as, for example, lignocellulosic sources (e.g., softwood pulp, hardwood pulp), cotton linters, corn fiber and other agricultural sources, and bacterial celluloses.

[0034] One method of producing cellulose esters is by esterification. In this method, cellulose is mixed with appropriate organic acids, acid anhydrides and / or catalysts and then converted into a cellulose triester. Ester hydrolysis is then carried out by adding a water-acid mixture to the cellulose triester, which can be filtered to Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 23 / 133 / 100 remove any gel particles or fibers. Water is added to the mixture to precipitate the cellulose ester. The cellulose ester can then be washed with water to remove reaction byproducts followed by dehydration and drying.

[0035] Suitable acylation reagents for use in this document may include, but are not limited to, alkyl or aryl carboxylic anhydrides, carboxylic acid halides, and / or carboxylic acid esters containing the alkyl or aryl groups described above, suitable for use on the acyl substituents of the substituted cellulose esters described in this document. Examples of suitable carboxylic anhydrides include, but are not limited to, acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, pivaloyl anhydride, benzoic anhydride, and naphthoyl anhydride. Examples of carboxylic acid halides include, but are not limited to, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pivaloyl, benzoyl, and naphthoyl chlorides or bromides. Examples of carboxylic acid esters include, but are not limited to, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pivaloyl, benzoyl, and naphthoyl methyl esters.In one or more embodiments, the acylation reagent may be one or more carboxylic anhydrides selected from the group consisting of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, pivaloyl anhydride, benzoyl anhydride, and naphthoyl anhydride.

[0036] In various embodiments, hydrolyzed cellulose triesters may have three independently selected alkanoyl substituents with 2 to 12 carbon atoms. Examples of cellulose triesters include cellulose triacetate, cellulose tripropionate, cellulose tributyrate, or mixed cellulose triesters such as cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate. These cellulose triesters can be prepared by a number of methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, cellulose triesters can be prepared by heterogeneous acylation of cellulose in a mixture of carboxylic acid and Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 24 / 133 / 100 anhydride in the presence of a catalyst, such as H2SO4. Cellulose triesters can also be prepared by homogeneous acylation of cellulose dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as LiCl / DMAc or LiCl / NMP.

[0037] After the esterification of cellulose to triester, some of the acyl substituents can be removed by hydrolysis or alcoholysis to generate a secondary cellulose ester. Secondary cellulose esters can also be prepared directly without hydrolysis using a limiting amount of acylation reagent. This process is particularly useful when the reaction is conducted in a solvent that will dissolve the cellulose.

[0038] Cellulose esters thus prepared generally comprise the following structure: where R2, R3 and R6 are hydrogen (provided that R2, R3 and R6 are not hydrogen simultaneously), alkyl-acyl groups and / or aryl-acyl groups (as described above) linked to cellulose via an ester linkage.

[0039] The degree of polymerization (DP) of cellulose esters prepared by these methods may be at least 10. In other embodiments, the DP of cellulose esters may be at least 50, at least 100, or at least 250. In other embodiments, the DP of cellulose esters may be in the range of about 5 to about 100, or in the range of about 10 to about 50.

[0040] Suitable acylation reagents for use in this document may include, but are not limited to, alkyl or aryl carboxylic anhydrides, carboxylic acid halides and / or carboxylic acid esters containing the alkyl or aryl groups described above suitable for use on the acyl substituents of the substituted cellulose esters described in this document. Examples of Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 25 / 133 / 100 Suitable carboxylic anhydrides include, but are not limited to, acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, pivaloyl anhydride, benzoic anhydride, and naphthoyl anhydride. Examples of carboxylic acid halides include, but are not limited to, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pivaloyl, benzoyl, and naphthoyl chlorides or bromides. Examples of carboxylic acid esters include, but are not limited to, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pivaloyl, benzoyl, and naphthoyl methyl esters. In one or more embodiments, the acylation reagent may be one or more carboxylic anhydrides selected from the group consisting of acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, pivaloyl anhydride, benzoyl anhydride, and naphthoyl anhydride.

[0041] This application discloses, in a first aspect, a mixed cellulose ester (MCE) comprising: (1) a plurality of acetyl substituents; (2) a plurality of propionyl substituents; and (3) a plurality of hydroxyl substituents, wherein: the MCE has an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) of 0.1 to 2.3, the MCE has an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) of 0.1 to 1.5, the MCE has an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) of 0.6 to 2.8.

[0042] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSAc is at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9 or at least 2.0. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSAc is less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 26 / 133 / 100 less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4 or less than 0.3.

[0043] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSAc is from 0.6 to 2.2, or 0.6 to 2.1, or 0.6 to 2.0, or 0.6 to 1.9, or 0.6 to 1.8, or 0.7 to 2.3, or 0.7 to 2.2, or 0.7 to 2.1, or 0.7 to 2.0, or 0.7 to 1.9, or 0.8 to 2.3, or 0.8 to 2.2, or 0.8 to 2.1, or 0.8 to 2.0, or 0.8 to 1.9, or 0.9 to 2.3, or 0.9 to 2.2, or 0.9 to 2.1, or 0.9 to 2.0, or 0.9 to 1.9, or 1.0 to 2.3, or 1.0 to 2.2, or 1.0 to 2.1, or 1.0 to 2.0, or 1.0 to 1.9, or 1.1 to 2.3, or 1.1 to 2.2, or 1.1 to 2.1, or 1.1 to 2.0, or 1.1 to 1.9, or 1.2 to 2.3 or 1.2 to 2.2, or 1.2 to 2.1, or 1.2 to 2.0, or 1.2 to 1.9, or 0.6 to 1.5, or 0.6 to 1.3, or 0.6 to 1.1, or 0.6 to 0.9 or 0.7 to 1.5, or 0.7 to 1.3, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 0.9.

[0044] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSPr is at least 0.05, at least 0.1, at least 0.15, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3 or at least 1.4. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSPR is less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4, less than 0.35, less than 0.3, or less than 0.25.

[0045] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSPr is from 0.05 to 0.9, or 0.05 to 0.85, or 0.05 to 0.8, or 0.05 to 0.75, or 0.05 to 0.7, or 0.05 to 0.6, or 0.05 to 0.5, or 0.05 to 0.4, or 0.05 to 0.35, or 0.05 to 0.3, or 0.05 to 0.25, or 0.1 to 0.9, or 0.1 to 0.85, or 0.1 to 0.8, or 0.1 to 0.75, or 0.1 to 0.7, or 0.1 to 0.6, or 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to 0.4, or 0.1 to 0.35, or 0.1 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.25, or 0.15 to 0.95, or 0.15 to 0.9, or 0.15 to 0.85, or 0.15 to 0.8, or 0.15 to 0.75, or 0.15 to 0.7, or 0.15 to 0.65, or 0.15 to 0.6, or 0.15 to 0.5, or 0.15 to 0.4, or 0.15 to 0.35, or 0.15 to 0.3, or 0.15 to 0.25, or 0.2 to 0.95, or 0.2 to 0.9, or 0.2 to 0.85 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page. 27 / 133 / 100 or 0.2 to 0.8, or 0.2 to 0.75, or 0.2 to 0.7, or 0.2 to 0.65, 0.25 to 0.95, or 0.25 to 0.9, or 0.25 to 0.85, or 0.25 to 0.8, or 0.25 to 0.75, or 0.25 to 0.7, or 0.25 to 0.65, or 0.3 to 0.95, or 0.3 to 0.9, or 0.3 to 0.85, or 0.3 to 0.8, or 0.3 to 0.75, or 0.3 to 0.7, or 0.3 to 0.65, or 0.35 to 0.95, or 0.35 to 0.9, or 0.35 to 0.85, or 0.35 to 0.8, or 0.35 to 0.75, or 0.35 to 0.7, or 0.35 to 0.65, or 0.4 to 0.95, or 0.4 to 0.9, or 0.4 to 0.85, or 0.4 to 0.8, or 0.4 to 0.75, or 0.4 to 0.7, or 0.4 to 0.65, or 0.45 to 0.95, or 0.45 to 0.9, or 0.45 to 0.85, or 0.45 to 0.8, or 0.45 to 0.75, or 0.45 to 0.7, or 0.45 to 0.65, or 0.5 to 0.95, or 0.5 to 0.9, or 0.5 to 0.85, or 0.5 to 0.8, or 0.5 to 0.75, or 0.5 to 0.7, or 0.5 to 0.65, or 0.1 to 0.9, or 0.1 to 0.85, or 0.1 to 0.8.

[0046] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSOH is at least 0.5, at least 0.55, at least 0.6, at least 0.65, at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9, at least 2.0, at least 2.1, at least 2.2, at least 2.3, at least 2.4, at least 2.5 or at least 2.6.Additionally, or alternatively, the DSOH is less than 2.8, less than 2.7, less than 2.6, less than 2.5, less than 2.4, less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.15, less than 1.1, less than 1.05, less than 1.0, less than 0.95, less than 0.9, less than 0.85, or less than 0.8.

[0047] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSOH is 0.5 to 1.5, or 0.5 to 1.45, or 0.5 to 1.40, or 0.5 to 1.35, or 0.5 to 1.30, or 0.5 to 1.25, or 0.5 to 1.2, or 0.5 to 1.15, or 0.5 to 1.1, or 0.5 to 1.05, or 0.5 to 1.0, or 0.5 to 0.95, or 0.5 to 0.9, or 0.5 to 0.85, or 0.5 to 0.8, or 0.55 to 1.5, or 0.55 to 1.45, or 0.55 to 1.40, or 0.55 to 1.35, or 0.55 to 1.30, or 0.55 to 1.25, or 0.55 to Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 28 / 133 / 100 1.2, or 0.55 to 1.15, or 0.55 to 1.1, or 0.55 to 1.05, or 0.55 to 1.0, or 0.55 to 0.95, or 0.55 to 0.9, or 0.55 to 0.85, or 0.55 to 0.8, or 0.6 to 1.5, or 0.6 to 1.45, or 0.6 to 1.40, or 0.6 to 1.35, or 0.6 to 1.30, or 0.6 to 1.25, or 0.6 to 1.2, or 0.6 to 1.15, or 0.6 to 1.1, or 0.6 to 1.05, or 0.6 to 1.0, or 0.6 to 0.95, or 0.6 to 0.9, or 0.6 to 0.85, or 0.6 to 0.8, or 0.65 to 1.5, or 0.65 to 1.45, or 0.65 to 1.40, or 0.65 to 1.35, or 0.65 to 1.30, or 0.65 to 1.25, or 0.65 to 1.2, or 0.65 to 1.15, or 0.65 to 1.1, or 0.65 to 1.05, or 0.65 to 1.0, or 0.65 to 0.95, or 0.65 to 0.9, or 0.65 to 0.85, or 0.65 to 0.8, or 0.7 to 1.5, or 0.7 to 1.45, or 0.7 to 1.40, or 0.7 to 1.35, or 0.7 to 1.30, or 0.7 to 1.25, or 0.7 to 1.2, or 0.7 to 1.15, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 1.05, or 0.7 to 1.0, or 0.7 to 0.95, or 0.7 to 0.9, or 0.7 to 0.85, or 0.7 to 0.8, or 0.75 to 1.5, or 0.75 to 1.45, or 0.75 to 1.40, or 0.75 to 1.35, or 0.75 to 1.30, or 0.75 to 1.25, or 0.75 to 1.2, or 0.75 to 1.15, or 0.75 to 1.1, or 0.75 to 1.05, or 0.75 to 1.0, or 0.75 to 0.95, or 0.75 to 0,9, or 0.8 to 1.5, or 0.8 to 1.45, or 0.8 to 1.40, or 0.8 to 1.35, or 0.8 to 1.30, or 0.8 to 1.25, or 0.8 to 1.2, or 0.8 to 1.15, or 0.8 to 1.1, or 0.8 to 1.05, or 0.8 to 1.0, or 0.8 to 0.95, or 0.8 to 0.9, or 0.85 to 1.5, or 0.85 to 1.45, or 0.85 to 1.40, or 0.85 to 1.35, or 0.85 to 1.30, or 0.85 to 1.25, or 0.85 to 1.2, or 0.85 to 1.15, or 0.85 to 1.1, or 0.85 to 1.05, or 0.85 to 1.0, or 0.85 to 0.95, or 0.85 to 0.9.

[0048] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the sum of DSPr and DSAc is from 1.9 to 2.44, or 1.9 to 2.0, or 1.9 to 2.1, or 1.9 to 2.2, or 1.9 to 2.3, or 2.0 to 2.44, or 2.0 to 2.1, or 2.0 to 2.2, or 2.0 to 2.3, or 2.1 to 2.44, or 2.1 to 2.2, or 2.1 to 2.3, or 2.2 to 2.44, or 2.2 to 2.3.

[0049] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl to acetyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.45:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least 1.1:1, at least 1.2:1, at least 1.3:1, at least 1.4:1, by Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 29 / 133 / 100 less than 1.5:1, at least 1.6:1, at least 1.7:1, at least 1.8:1, at least 1.9:2, or at least 2:1. Alternatively, the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl to acetyl substituents less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1, or less than 1:1.

[0050] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the MCE has a ratio of hydroxyl substituents to propionyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.45:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least 1.1:1, at least 1.2:1, at least 1.3:1, at least 1.4:1, at least 1.5:1, at least 1.6:1, at least 1.7:1, at least 1.8:1, at least 1.9:2, or at least 2:1. Additionally, or alternatively, the MCE has a ratio of hydroxyl to propionyl substituents less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1 or less than 1:1; or less than 0.9:1; or less than 0.8:1; or less than 0.7:1; or less than 0.6:1; or less than 0.5:1.

[0051] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability in 56 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 30 / 133 / 100

[0052] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[0053] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, MCE has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 100,000 Da, or 5,000 to 50,000 Da, or 5,000 to 25,000 Da, or 15,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 50,000 Da, or 15,000 to 25,000 Da, or 50,000 to 100,000 Da, or 75,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 250,000 Da.

[0054] This application discloses, in a second aspect, a mixed cellulose ester (MCE) comprising: (1) a plurality of acetyl substituents; (2) a plurality of propionyl substituents; and (3) a plurality of hydroxyl substituents, wherein: the MCE has an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) of 0.1 to 2.3, or 0.1 to 1.9, or 1.5 to 2.3; the MCE has an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) of 0.1 to 1.5, or 0.1 to 0.6, or 0.1 to 0.3; and the MCE has an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) of 0.7 to 2.8, or 0.7 to 1.2.

[0055] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSAc is at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, by Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 31 / 133 / 100 less 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9 or at least 2.0. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSAc is less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4, or less than 0.3.

[0056] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSAc is 0.6 to 0.7, or 0.6 to 0.8, or 0.6 to 0.9, or 0.6 to 1.0, or 0.6 to 1.1, or 0.6 to 1.2, or 0.6 to 1.3, or 0.6 to 1.4, or 0.6 to 1.5, or 0.6 to 1.6, or 0.6 to 1.7, or 0.6 to 1.8, or 0.6 to 1.9, or 0.6 to 2.0, or 0.6 to 2.1, or 0.7 to 0.9, or 0.7 to 1.0, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 1.2, or 0.7 to 1.3, or 0.7 to 1.4, or 0.7 to 1.5, or 0.7 to 1.6, or 0.7 to 1.7, or 0.7 to 1.8, or 0.7 to 1.9, or 0.7 to 2.0, or 0.7 to 2.1, or 0.8 to 0.9, or 0.8 to 1.0, or 0.8 to 1.1, or 0.8 to 1.2, or 0.8 to 1.3, or 0.8 to 1.4, or 0.8 to 1.5, or 0.8 to 1.6, or 0.8 to 1.7, or 0.8 to 1.8, or 0.8 to 1.9, or 0.8 to 2.0, or 0.8 to 2.1, or 0.9 to 1.0, or 0.9 to 1.1, or 0.9 to 1.2, or 0.9 to 1.3, or 0.9 to 1.4, or 0.9 to 1.5, or 0.9 to 1.6, or 0.9 to 1.7, or 0.9 to 1.8, or 0.9 to 1.9, or 0.9 to 2.0, or 0.9 to 2.1, or 1.0 to 1.1, or 1.0 to 1.2, or 1.0 to 1.3, or 1.0 to 1.4, or 1.0 to 1.5, or 1.0 to 1.6, or 1.0 to 1.7, or 1.0 to 1.8, or 1.0 to 1.9, or 1.0 to 2.0, or 1.0 to 2.1, or 1.1 to 1.2, or 1.1 to 1.3, or 1.1 to 1.4, or 1.1 to 1.5, or 1.1 to 1.6, or 1.1 to 1.7, or 1.1 to 1.8, or 1.1 to 1.9, or 1.1 to 2.0, or 1.1 to 2.1.

[0057] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSPr is at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3 or at least 1.4. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSPr is less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 32 / 133 / 100 less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4, or less than 0.3.

[0058] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSPr is 1.05 to 1.35, or 1.05 to 1.3, or 1.05 to 1.25, or 1.05 to 1.2, or 1.05 to 1.15, or 1.05 to 1.1, or 1.1 to 1.4, or 1.1 to 1.35, or 1.1 to 1.3, or 1.1 to 1.25, or 1.1 to 1.2, or 1.1 to 1.15, or 1.15 to 1.4, or 1.15 to 1.35, or 1.15 to 1.3, or 1.15 to 1.25, or 1.15 to 1.2, or 1.2 to 1.4, or 1.2 to 1.35, or 1.2 to 1.3, or 1.2 to 1.25, or 1.25 to 1.4, or 1.25 to 1.35, or 1.25 to 1.3, or 1.3 to 1.4, or 1.3 to 1.35.

[0059] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSOH is at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9, at least 2.0, at least 2.1, at least 2.2, at least 2.3, at least 2.4, at least 2.5 or at least 2.6. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSOH is less than 2.8, less than 2.7, less than 2.6, less than 2.5, less than 2.4, less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, or less than 0.8.

[0060] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSOH is 0.7 to 1.35, or 0.7 to 1.3, or 0.7 to 1.25, or 0.7 to 1.2, or 0.7 to 1.15, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 1.05, or 0.7 to 1.0, or 0.7 to 0.95, or 0.7 to 0.9, or 0.7 to 0.85, or 0.7 to 0.8, or 0.7 to 0.75, or 0.75 to 1.4, or 0.75 to 1.35, or 0.75 to 1.3, or 0.75 to 1.25, or 0.75 to 1.2, or 0.75 to 1.15, or 0.75 to 1.1, or 0.75 to 1.05, or 0.75 to 1.0, or 0.75 to 0.95, or 0.8 to 1.4, or 0.8 to 1.35, or 0.8 to 1.3, or 0.8 to 1.25, or 0.8 to 1.2, or 0.8 to 1.15, or 0.8 to 1.1, or 0.8 to 1.05, or 0.85 to 1.4, or 0.85 to 1.35, or 0.85 to 1.3, or 0.85 to 1.25, or 0.85 to 1.2, or 0.85 to 1.15, or 0.85 to 1.1, or 0.85 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 33 / 133 / 100 to 1.05, or 0.9 to 1.4, or 0.9 to 1.35, or 0.9 to 1.3, or 0.9 to 1.25, or 0.9 to 1.2, or 0.9 to 1.15, or 0.9 to 1.1, or 0.9 to 1.05.

[0061] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the sum of DSPr and DSAc is 1.65 to 2.3, or 1.65 to 2.2, or 1.65 to 2.1, or 1.65 to 2.0, or 1.65 to 1.9, or 1.65 to 1.8, or 1.7 to 2.3, or 1.7 to 2.2, or 1.7 to 2.1, or 1.7 to 2.0, or 1.7 to 1.9, or 1.7 to 1.8, or 1.75 to 2.3, or 1.75 to 2.2, or 1.75 to 2.1, or 1.75 to 2.0, or 1.75 to 1.9, or 1.8 to 2.3, or 1.8 to 2.2, or 1.8 to 2.1, or 1.8 to 2.0, or 1.8 to 1.9, or 1.9 to 2.3, or 1.9 to 2.2, or 1.9 to 2.1, or 1.9 to 2.0, or 2.0 to 2.3, or 2.0 to 2.2, or 2.0 to 2.1.

[0062] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the DSOH is 0.6 to 0.7, 0.7 to 1.35, or 0.7 to 1.3, or 0.7 to 1.25, or 0.7 to 1.2, or 0.7 to 1.15, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 1.05, or 0.7 to 1.0, or 0.7 to 0.95, or 0.7 to 0.9, or 0.7 to 0.85, or 0.7 to 0.8, or 0.7 to 0.75, or 0.75 to 1.4, or 0.75 to 1.35, or 0.75 to 1.3, or 0.75 to 1.25, or 0.75 to 1.2, or 0.75 to 1.15, or 0.75 to 1.1, or 0.75 to 1.05, or 0.75 to 1.0, or 0.75 to 0.95, or 0.8 to 1.4, or 0.8 to 1.35, or 0.8 to 1.3, or 0.8 to 1.25, or 0.8 to 1.2, or 0.8 to 1.15, or 0.8 to 1.1, or 0.8 to 1.05, or 0.85 to 1.4, or 0.85 to 1.35, or 0.85 to 1.3, or 0.85 to 1.25, or 0.85 to 1.2, or 0.85 to 1.15, or 0.85 to 1.1, or 0.85 to 1.05, or 0.9 to 1.4, or 0.9 to 1.35, or 0.9 to 1.3, or 0.9 to 1.25, or 0.9 to 1.2, or 0.9 to 1.15, or 0.9 to 1.1, or 0.9 to 1.05.

[0063] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl substituents to acetyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least 1.1:1, at least 1.2:1, at least 1.3:1, at least 1.4:1, at least 1.5:1, at least 1.6:1, at least 1.7:1, at least 1.8:1, at least 1.9:2, or at least 2:1. Alternatively, the mixed cellulose ester has a Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 34 / 133 / 100 ratio of hydroxyl substituents to acetyl substituents less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1 or less than 1:1.

[0064] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the MCE has a ratio of hydroxyl substituents to propionyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least 1.1:1, at least 1.2:1, at least 1.3:1, at least 1.4:1, at least 1.5:1, at least 1.6:1, at least 1.7:1, at least 1.8:1, at least 1.9:2, or at least 2:1, or at least 3:1, or at least 4:1. Additionally, or alternatively, the MCE has a ratio of hydroxyl to propionyl substituents of less than 6:1, less than 5:1, less than 4:1, less than 3:1, less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1, or less than 1:1.

[0065] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability in 56 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[0066] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% of Petition 870250084745, dated 19 / 09 / 2025, p. 35 / 133 / 100 biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability in 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[0067] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this second aspect, MCE has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 100,000 Da, or 5,000 to 50,000 Da, or 5,000 to 25,000 Da, or 15,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 50,000 Da, or 15,000 to 25,000 Da, or 50,000 to 100,000 Da, or 75,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 250,000 Da.

[0068] The present application, in a third aspect, also discloses a mixed cellulose ester (MCE) comprising: (1) a plurality of acetyl substituents; (2) a plurality of butyryl substituents; and (3) a plurality of hydroxyl substituents, wherein: the MCE has an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) of 0.1 to 2.4, or 1.0 to 2.4, or 1.5 to 2.4; the MCE has an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) of 0.1 to 1.5, or 0.1 to 0.6, or 0.1 to 0.3; the MCE has an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) of 0.6 to 2.8, or 0.6 to 1.5, or 0.6 to 1.2.

[0069] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this first aspect, wherein the DSAc is at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9 or at least 2.0. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSAc is less than Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 36 / 133 / 100 to 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4 or less than 0.3.

[0070] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the DSAc is 0.9 to 2.4, 0.9 to 2.3, or 0.9 to 2.2, or 0.9 to 2.1, or 0.9 to 2.0, or 0.9 to 1.9, or 0.9 to 1.8, or 0.9 to 1.7, or 0.9 to 1.6, or 0.9 to 1.4, 0.9 to 1.3, or 0.9 to 1.2, or 0.9 to 1.1, or 0.9 to 1.0, or 0.92 to 2.4, 0.92 to 2.3, or 0.92 to 2.2, or 0.92 to 2.1, or 0.92 to 2.0, or 0.92 to 1.9, or 0.92 to 1.8, or 0.92 to 1.7, or 0.92 to 1.6, or 0.92 to 1.4, 0.92 to 1.3, or 0.92 to 1.2, or 0.92 to 1.1, or 0.92 to 1.0, or 0.94 to 2.4, 0.94 to 2.3, or 0.94 to 2.2, or 0.94 to 2.1, or 0.94 to 2.0, or 0.94 to 1.9, or 0.94 to 1.8, or 0.94 to 1.7, or 0.94 to 1.6, or 0.94 to 1.4, 0.94 to 1.3, or 0.94 to 1.2, or 0.94 to 1.1, or 0.94 to 1.0, or 0.96 to 2.4, 0.96 to 2.3, or 0.96 to 2.2, or 0.96 to 2.1, or 0.96 to 2.0, or 0.96 to 1.9, or 0.96 to 1.8, or 0.96 to 1.7, or 0.96 to 1.6, or 0.96 to 1.4, 0.96 to 1.3, or 0.96 to 1.2, or 0.96 to 1.1, or 0.96 to 1.0, or 0.98 to 2.4, 0.98 to 2.3, or 0.98 to 2.2, or 0.98 to 2.1, or 0,98 to 2.0, or 0.98 to 1.9, or 0.98 to 1.8, or 0.98 to 1.7, or 0.98 to 1.6, 0.98 to 1.4, 0.98 to 1.3, or 0.98 to 1.2, or 0.98 to 1.1, or 0.98 to 1.0, or 1.0 to 2.4, 1.0 to 2.3, or 1.0 to 2.2, or 1.0 to 2.1, or 1.0 to 2.0, or 1.0 to 1.9, or 1.0 to 1.8, or 1.0 to 1.7, or 1.0 to 1.6, or 1.0 to, 1.4, or 1.0 to 1.3, 1.0 to 1.2, or 1.0 to 1.1, or 1.1 to 2.4, or 1.1 to 2.3, or 1.1a 2.2, or 1.1 to 2.1, or 1.1 to 2.0, or 1.1 to 1.9, or 1.1 to 1.8, or 1.1 to 1.7, or 1.1a 1.6, 1.1 to 1.4, or 1.1 to 1.3, or 1.1 to 1.2, or 1.2 to 2.4, or 1.2 to 2.3, or 1.2 to 2.2, or 1.2 to 2.1, or 1.2 to 2.0, or 1.2 to 1.9, or 1.2 to 1.8, or 1.2 to 1.7, or 1.2a 1.6, or 1.2 to 1.4, or 1.2 to 1.3, or 1.3 to 2.4, or 1.3 to 2.3, or 1.3 to 2.2, or 1.3a 2.1, or 1.3 to 2.0, or 1.3 to 1.9, or 1.3 to 1.8, or 1.3 to 1.7, or 1.3 to 1.6, or 1.3a 1.4, or 1.4 to 2.4, or 1.4 to 2.3, or 1.4 to 2.2, or 1.4 to 2.1, or 1.4 to 2.0, or 1.4a 1.9, or 1.4 to 1.8, or 1.4 to 1.7, or 1.4 to 1.6, or 1.5 to 2.4, or 1.5 to 2.3, or 1.5 to 2.2, or 1.5 to 2.1, or 1.5 to 2.0, or 1.5 to 1.9, or 1.5 to 1.8, or 1.5 to 1.7, or 1.5 to Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 37 / 133 / 100 1.6, or 1.6 to 2.4, or 1.6 to 2.3, or 1.6 to 2.2, or 1.6 to 2.1, or 1.6 to 2.0, or 1.6a 1.9, or 1.6 to 1.8, or 1.6 to 1.7, or 1.7 to 2.4, or 1.7 to 2.3, or 1.7 to 2.2, or 1.7a 2.1, or 1.7 to 2.0, or 1.7 to 1.9, or 1.7 to 1.8, or 1.8 to 2.3, or 1.8 to 2.1, or 1.8a 2.0, or 1.8 to 1.9, or 1.9 to 2.3, or 1.9 to 2.2, or 1.9 to 2.1, or 1.9 to 2.0, or 2.0a 2.4, or 2.0 to 2.3, or 2.0 to 2.2, or 2.0 to 2.1, or 2.1 to 2.4, or 2.1 to 2.3, or 2.1a 2.2, or 2.2 to 2.3.

[0071] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein DSBu is at least 0.05, at least 0.1, at least 0.15, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3 or at least 1.4. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSBu is less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.8, less than 0.7, less than 0.5, less than 0.4, less than 0.35, less than 0.3, or less than 0.25.

[0072] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the DSBu is 0.1 to 1.35, or 0.1 to 1.3, or 0.1 to 1.25, or 0.1 to 1.2, or 0.1 to 1.15, or 0.1 to 1.1, or 0.1 to 1.0, or 0.1 to 0.8, or 0.1 to 0.6, or 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.1 to 0.4, or 0.1 to 0.3, or 0.1 to 0.25, or 0.15 to 1.35, or 0.15 to 1.3, or 0.15 to 1.25, or 0.15 to 1.2, or 0.15 to 1.15, or 0.15 to 1.1, or 0.15 to 1.0, or 0.15 to 0.8, or 0.15 to 0.6, or 0.15 to 0.5, or 0.15 to 0.4, or 0.15 to 0.3, or 0.15 to 0.25, or 0.2 to 1.35, or 0.2 to 1.3, or 0.2 to 1.25, or 0.2 to 1.2, or 0.2 to 1.15, or 0.2 to 1.1, or 0.2 to 1.0, or 0.2 to 0.8, or 0.2 to 0.6, or 0.2 to 0.4, or 0.3 to 1.35, or 0.3 to 1.3, or 0.3 to 1.25, or 0.3 to 1.2, or 0.3 to 1.15, or 0.3 to 1.1, or 0.3 to 1.0, or 0.3 to 0.8, or 0.3 to 0.6, or 0.3 to 0.5, or 0.4 to 1.35, or 0.4 to 1.3, or 0.4 to 1.25, or 0.4 to 1.2, or 0.4 to 1.15, or 0.4 to 1.1, or 0.4 to 1.0, or 0.4 to 0.8, or 0.4 to 0.6, or 0.5 to 1.35, or 0.5 to 1.3, or 0.5 to 1.25, or 0.5 to 1.2, or 0,5 to 1.15, or 0.5 to 1.1, or 0.5 to 1.0, or 0.5 to 0.8, or 0.5 to 0.7, or 0.6 to 1.35, or 0.6 to 1.3, or 0.6 to 1.25, or 0.6 to 1.2, or, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 38 / 133 / 100 0.6 to 1.15, or 0.6 to 1.1, or 0.6 to 1.0, or 0.6 to 0.8, or 0.7 to 1.35, or 0.7 to 1.3, or 0.7 to 1.25, or 0.7 to 1.2, or 0.7 to 1.15, or 0.7 to 1.1, or 0.7 to 1.0, or 0.8 to 1.35, or 0.8 to 1.3, or 0.8 to 1.25, or 0.8 to 1.2, or 0.8 to 1.15, or 0.8 to 1.1, or 0.8 to 1.0, or 0.9 to 1.35, or 0.9 to 1.3, or 0.9 to 1.25, or 0.9 to 1.2, or 0.9 to 1.15, or 0.9 to 1.1, or 1.0 to 1.35, or 1.0 to 1.3, or 1.0 to 1.25, or 1.0 to 1.2, or 1.0 to 1.15, or 1.0 to 1.1, or 1.05 to 1.35, or 1.05 to 1.3, or 1.05 to 1.25, or 1.05 to 1.2, or 1.05 to 1.15, or 1.05 to 1.1, or 1.1 to 1.4, or 1.1 to 1.35, or 1.1 to 1.3, or 1.1 to 1.25, or 1.1 to 1.2, or 1.1 to 1.15, or 1.15 to 1.4, or 1.15 to 1.35, or 1.15 to 1.3, or 1.15 to 1.25, or 1.15 to 1.2, or 1.2 to 1.4, or 1.2 to 1.35, or 1.2 to 1.3, or 1.2 to 1.25, or 1.25 to 1.4, or 1.25 to 1.35, or 1.25 to 1.3, or 1.3 to 1.4, or 1.3 to 1.35.

[0073] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein DSOH is at least 0.5, at least 0.55, at least 0.6, at least 0.7, at least 0.8, at least 0.9, at least 1.0, at least 1.1, at least 1.2, at least 1.3, at least 1.4, at least 1.5, at least 1.6, at least 1.7, at least 1.8, at least 1.9, at least 2.0, at least 2.1, at least 2.2, at least 2.3, at least 2.4, at least 2.5 or at least 2.6. Additionally, or alternatively, the DSOH is less than 2.8, less than 2.7, less than 2.6, less than 2.5, less than 2.4, less than 2.3, less than 2.2, less than 2.1, less than 2.0, less than 1.9, less than 1.8, less than 1.7, less than 1.6, less than 1.5, less than 1.4, less than 1.3, less than 1.2, less than 1.1, less than 1.0, less than 0.9, less than 0.85, or less than 0.8.

[0074] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the DSOH is 0.5 to 1.3, 0.5 to 1.2, 0.5 to 1.1, 0.5 to 1.0, or 0.5 to 0.95, or 0.5 to 0.9, or 0.5 to 0.85, or 0.5 to 0.8, or 0.5 to 0.75, or 0.5 to 0.7, or 0.5 to 0.65, or 0.5 to 0.6, or 0.5 to 0.55, or 0.55 to 1.0, or 0.55 to 0.95, or 0.55 to 0.9, or 0.55 to 0.85, or 0.55 to 0.8, or 0.55 to 0.75, or 0.55 to 0.7, or 0.55 or 0.65, or 0.55 to 0.6, or 0.6 to Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 39 / 133 / 100 0.65, or 0.6 to 0.7, or 0.6 to 0.75, or 0.6 to 0.8, or 0.6 to 0.85, or 0.6 to 0.9, or 0.6 to 0.95, or 0.6 to 1.0, or 0.65 to 0.7, or 0.65 to 0.75, or 0.65 to 0.8, or 0.65 to 0.85, or 0.65 to 0.9, or 0.65 to 0.95, or 0.65 to 1.0.

[0075] In one form or in combination with any other form, class or subclass of this third aspect, where the sum of DSBu and DSAc is 1.65 to 2.3, or 1.65 to 2.2, or 1.65 to 2.1, or 1.65 to 2.0, or 1.65 to 1.9, or 1.65 to 1.8, or 1.7 to 2.3, or 1.7 to 2.2, or 1.7 to 2.1, or 1.7 to 2.0, or 1.7 to 1.9, or 1.7 to 1.8, or 1.75 to 2.3, or 1.75 to 2.2, or 1.75 to 2.1, or 1.75 to 2.0, or 1.75 to 1.9, or 1.8 to 2.3, or 1.8 to 2.2, or 1.8 to 2.1, or 1.8 to 2.0, or 1.8 to 1.9, or 1.9 to 2.3, or 1.9 to 2.2, or 1.9 to 2.1, or 1.9 to 2.0, 2.0 to 2.4, or 2.0 to 2.3, or 2.0 to 2.2, or 2.0 to 2.1.

[0076] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl substituents to acetyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.45:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least 1.1:1, at least 1.2:1, at least 1.3:1, at least 1.4:1, at least 1.5:1, at least 1.6:1, at least 1.7:1, at least 1.8:1, at least 1.9:2, or at least 2:1. Alternatively, the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl to acetyl substituents less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1, less than 1:1, less than 0.9:1, less than 0.8:1, less than 0.7:1, less than 0.6:1, or less than 0.5:1.

[0077] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl to propionyl substituents of at least 0.4:1, at least 0.5:1, at least 0.6:1, at least 0.7:1, at least 0.8:1, at least 0.9:1, at least 1:1, at least Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 40 / 133 / 100 1,1:1, at least 1,2:1, at least 1,3:1, at least 1,4:1, at least 1,5:1, at least 1,6:1, at least 1,7:1, at least 1,8:1, at least 1,9:2, at least 2:1, at least 3:1, or at least 4:1. Additionally, or alternatively, the mixed cellulose ester has a ratio of hydroxyl to butyryl substituents of less than 6:1, less than 5:1, less than 4:1, less than 3:1, less than 2:1, less than 1.9:1, less than 1.8:1, less than 1.7:1, less than 1.6:1, less than 1.5:1, less than 1.4:1, less than 1.3:1, less than 1.2:1, less than 1.1:1 or less than 1:1.

[0078] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability in 56 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[0079] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, class or subclass of this third aspect, wherein the MCE exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[0080] In one form or in combination with any other Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 41 / 133 / 100 modality, class or subclass of this third aspect, MCE has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 100,000 Da, or 5,000 to 50,000 Da, or 5,000 to 25,000 Da, or 15,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 50,000 Da, or 15,000 to 25,000 Da, or 50,000 to 100,000 Da, or 75,000 to 100,000 Da, or 15,000 to 250,000 Da.

[0081] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects, has a butyric acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[0082] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects, has an acetic acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[0083] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects, has a propionic acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[0084] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects, has a sulfuric acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[0085] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE 100 may be the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, the second aspect and / or the third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 42 / 133 / 100 SOLVENT SYSTEM

[0086] The solvent system, such as solvent 102, is generally capable of solubilizing CE to produce the dispersed / solid phase of an emulsion / dispersion as described in this document. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, solvent 102 may consist of a single solvent component or may be a solvent system including a plurality of solvent components. The plurality of solvent components may include at least two solvent components, at least three solvent components, or three total solvent components.

[0087] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, solvent 102 includes at least one, at least two, or all three of a C1-C4 alkyl acetate, a C1-C4 alcohol, and water. The C1-C4 alkyl acetate may include one or more of methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, n-propyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and sec-butyl acetate. The C1-C4 alcohol may include one or more of methanol, ethanol, propanols (e.g., isopropanol, n-propanol, and isopropyl alcohol), and butanols (e.g., n-butanol, isobutanol, sec-butanol, and tert-butanol).

[0088] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when solvent 102 includes more than one solvent component, C1-C4 alkyl acetate may be present in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 10, 25, 50, 60 or 70 percent by weight; (2) not more than 99, 95, 90, 85 or 80 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 10-99, 25-95, 50-90, 70-85 percent by weight.

[0089] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when solvent 102 includes more than one solvent component, the C1-C4 alcohol is present in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 percent in Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 43 / 133 / 100 pesos; (2) not more than 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 15 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 1-80, 2-60, 4-40, 6-30, 8-20 or 10-15 percent by weight.

[0090] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when solvent 102 includes more than one solvent component, water is present in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 percent by weight; (2) not more than 50, 25, 20 or 15 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 1-50, 2-25, 4-30, 6-20 or 8-15 percent by weight.

[0091] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, solvent 102 includes at least one, at least two, or all three of ethyl acetate, n-propanol, and water. In such embodiment, ethyl acetate is present in an amount in the range of 50-90, 55-90, 60-90, 65-90, 65-85, 70-85, or 75-85 percent by weight, n-propanol is present in an amount in the range of 4-40, 5-35, 6-30, 7-25, 8-20, 10-20, or 10-15 percent by weight, and water is present in an amount in the range of 4-30, 5-25, 6-20, 7-15, 8-12, or 9-12 percent by weight.

[0092] Surprisingly, it has been found that water contributes to and / or enables the solubilization of certain mixed cellulose esters. In particular, it has been found that water contributes to and / or enables the solubilization of mixed cellulose esters with high degrees of biodegradability, such as those associated with DSOH values ​​above a certain threshold. These findings are posted in the EXPERIMENTS section below. hydrocolloid

[0093] Hydrocolloids, as described in this document, such as hydrocolloid 106, are used as a colloidal protector and / or viscosity builder. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, hydrocolloid 106 is a colloid. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 44 / 133 / 100 lyophilic. For example, hydrocolloid 106 may include at least one of a gelatin, a natural gum, a protein, or a cellulose derivative. The cellulose derivative may include one or both of methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose.

[0094] The hydrocolloid, such as carboxymethylcellulose, can be selected based on a desired viscosity of the resulting aqueous mixture. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, a low viscosity hydrocolloid has a viscosity in the range of 10-50 cps, a medium viscosity hydrocolloid has a viscosity in the range of 400-800 cps, and a high viscosity hydrocolloid has a viscosity in the range of 1500-3000 cps. surfactant system

[0095] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, surfactant 108 includes two or more individual emulsifiers. The individual emulsifiers can be differentiated from each other based on their Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) numbers. For example, when surfactant 108 includes two individual emulsifiers, the emulsifiers may include a lower HLB emulsifier and a higher HLB emulsifier.

[0096] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the HLB number of the higher HLB emulsifier is at least 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 or 18, and the HLB number of the lower HLB emulsifier is not more than 12, 10, 8, 6 or 4.

[0097] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the HLB number of the higher HLB emulsifier is greater than the HLB number of the lower HLB emulsifier by at least one of the following: (1) at least 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 or 14; (2) not more than 25, 20 or 15; or (3) in the range of 2-25, 8-20 or 12-15. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 45 / 133 / 100

[0098] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the lower HLB emulsifier is a glycerol ester of stearic acid. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the higher HLB emulsifier is a secondary alcohol ethoxylate.

[0099] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, surfactant 108 additionally includes a third emulsifier. The third emulsifier has a higher HLB number than the lower HLB emulsifier. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the third emulsifier is a polyethylene glycol ester of stearic acid.

[00100] When surfactant 108 is formed from all three emulsifiers, the lower HLB emulsifier and the third emulsifier may be present in a ratio that is at least 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 0.75:1, 1:1, 1.25:1, 1.5:1, 1.75:1 or 2:1 and / or not more than 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1.75:1, 1.5:1 or 1.25:1. The lower HLB emulsifier and the third emulsifier may define a combined emulsifier. Furthermore, the superior HLB emulsifier and the combined emulsifier may be present in surfactant 108 in a ratio that is at least 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 0.75:1, 1:1, 1.25:1, 1.5:1, 1.75:1 or 2:1 and / or not more than 5:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1.75:1, 1.5:1 or 1.25:1.

[00101] Referring now to FIG. 2, the illustrated process for producing microparticles of CE 112 includes the separate formation of an CE dope 136 and an aqueous mixture 138. The CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 are then combined to form microparticles of CE 112. For example, the CE dope 136 can be formed in unit 140 and the aqueous mixture 138 can be formed in unit 142. The CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 can then be combined in unit 144 to form an emulsion and / or dispersion, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 46 / 133 / 100, as will be described in more detail below.

[00102] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE dope 136 is formed from CE 100, solvent 102, water 104 and, in some embodiments, recycled solvent 146 derived from the solvent-enriched stream 134.

[00103] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE 100 is present in CE dope in one or more of: (1) at least 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 percent by weight; (2) not more than 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 or 15 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 1-80, 2-60, 4-40, 6-30, 8-20 or 10-15 percent by weight.

[00104] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, where solvent 102 includes a C1-C4 alkyl acetate, the C1-C4 alkyl acetate is present in CE dope 136 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 10, 25, 50, 60 or 65 percent by weight; (2) not more than 95, 90, 85, 80 or 75 percent by weight; and (3) in the range 10-95, 25-90, 50-85, 65-75 percent by weight.

[00105] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when solvent 102 includes a C1-C4 alcohol, the C1-C4 alcohol is present in CE dope 136 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 percent by weight; (2) not more than 50, 25, 20 or 15 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 150, 2-25, 4-30, 6-20 or 8-15 percent by weight.

[00106] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment, the solvent to EC ratio used in the dissolution to form EC dope 136 is at least 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 or 5:1 and / or not more than 100:1, 50:1, 25:1 or 10:1.

[00107] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when solvent 102 includes water, water is present in EC dope 136 in one or more of the following ways: Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 47 / 133 / 100 quantities: (1) at least 0.5, 1, 2, 4 or 6 percent by weight; (2) not more than 40, 25, 15 or 10 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 0.5-40, 1-25, 215, 4-20 or 6-10 percent by weight.

[00108] In a particular embodiment, CE dope 136 is formed from CE 100, solvent 102 including ethyl acetate and n-propanol, and water 104. In such embodiment, CE is present in CE dope 136 in an amount in the range of 6-30, 7-25, 8-20, 9-20, 10-15 or 12-15 percent by weight, ethyl acetate is present in CE dope 136 in an amount in the range of 50-85, 55-85, 60-85, 65-85, 70-85 or 75-85 percent by weight, n-propanol is present in CE dope 136 in an amount in the range of 4-30, 6-25, 8-20, 10-20 or 12-15 percent by weight, and water It is present in EC dope 136 in an amount ranging from 4-20, 5-18, 6-16, 7-14 or 8-12 percent by weight.

[00109] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE 100, solvent 102 and water 104 are combined in unit 140 until substantially homogeneous to produce CE dope 136. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, these components are mixed at room temperature (e.g., at least 15, 20, 25 or 30 °C and / or not more than 45, 40, 35, 30, 25 or 20 °C) for a duration of at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 120 or 240 minutes and / or for as long as necessary to produce the substantially homogeneous mixture.

[00110] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the aqueous mixture 138 is formed from water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and, in some embodiments, recycled solvent 146 derived from the solvent-enriched stream 134. Optionally, additional solvent 148 may be added to units 140 and / or 142 as needed to maintain solvent component concentrations at appropriate levels. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 48 / 133 / 100

[00111] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the ratio of the portion of recycled solvent to the portion of fresh solvent used in said units 140 and / or 142 is at least 2.5:1, 10:1, 25:1, 50:1, 75:1, 90:1, 95:1 or 99:1 by weight and / or not more than 1000:1, 500:1, 200:1 or 100:1 by weight.

[00112] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the composition of the recycled solvent varies from the composition of the fresh solvent by no more than 10, 5, 2 or 1 percent by total weight.

[00113] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the fresh solvent and the recycled solvent portion have substantially the same composition.

[00114] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, water is present in the aqueous mixture 138 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 40, 60, 70, 80 or 85 percent by weight; (2) not more than 99, 97, 95, 94 or 92 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 40-99, 70-95 or 85-92 percent by weight.

[00115] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hydrocolloid is present in the aqueous mixture 138 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 percent by weight; (2) not more than 15, 10, 5, 2 or 1 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 0.001-15, 0.01-5 or 0.12 percent by weight.

[00116] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the surfactant is present in the aqueous mixture 138 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 or 0.5 percent by weight; (2) not more than 15, 10, 5, 2 or 1.5 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 0.005-15, 0.05-5 or Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 49 / 133 / 100 0.5-1.5 percent by weight.

[00117] As described above, the surfactant described in this document may include a higher HLB emulsifier and a lower HLB emulsifier. In such embodiments, the higher HLB emulsifier and the lower HLB emulsifier are present in the aqueous mixture 138 in a high-to-low HLB emulsifier ratio in the range of at least 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1 or 1.75:1 and / or not more than 10:1, 5:1, 3:1 or 2.5:1 and / or in the range of 0.25:1-10:1, 0.5:1-5:1 or 1:1-3:1.

[00118] Still referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the additional solvent 148 and / or recycled solvent 146 is received in unit 142. In such embodiments, the solvent used to form CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 is a common C1-C4 alkyl acetate. The use of at least one common component in the solvent systems received in units 140 and 142 facilitates the simplification of solvent separation, recovery, and reuse, as described in this document.

[00119] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, where aqueous mixture 138 includes a C1-C4 alkyl acetate, the C1-C4 alkyl acetate is present in aqueous mixture 138 in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 percent by weight; (2) not more than 50, 40, 30, 20 or 15 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 1-50, 2-40 or 6-20 percent by weight.

[00120] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, C1-C4 alkyl acetate is present in aqueous mixture 138 in an amount, in weight percent, that is within 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 or 2 weight percent of the solubility, in weight percent, of C1-C4 alkyl acetate in water at 20 °C.

[00121] C1-C4 alkyl acetate can be one or both of Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 50 / 133 / 100 methyl acetate and ethyl acetate. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when the C1-C4 alkyl acetate is ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate is present in an aqueous mixture in an amount in the range of 2-25, 4-20, 6-15 or 8-10 percent by weight. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, when the C1-C4 alkyl acetate is methyl acetate, the methyl acetate is present in an aqueous mixture in an amount in the range of 5-50, 10-40, 15-35 or 20-30 percent by weight.

[00122] In a particular embodiment, the aqueous mixture 138 is formed from water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and a C1-C4 alkyl acetate. In this embodiment, water is present in aqueous mixture 138 in an amount ranging from 70-95, 75-95, 80-95, 85-95 or 87.5-92.5 percent by weight, the hydrocolloid is present in aqueous mixture 138 in an amount ranging from 0.01-5, 0.1-4, 0.5-3, 0.6-2, 0.7-1 or 0.8-0.9 percent by weight, the surfactant is present in aqueous mixture 138 in an amount ranging from 0.05-5, 0.1-5, 0.1-4, 0.5-3, 0.6-2, 0.7-1 or 0.8-1 percent by weight, and the C1-C4 alkyl acetate is present in aqueous mixture 138 in an amount ranging from 2-40, 3-35, 4-30, 5-25, 5-20, 5-15, 5-10 or 6-10 percent by weight.

[00123] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and, optionally, a C1-C4 alkyl acetate are combined in unit 142 to produce the aqueous mixture 138. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, these components are mixed at a temperature of at least 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 °C and / or not more than 100, 75, 50, 40, 35, 30, 25 or 20 °C, for a duration of at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 120 or 240 minutes and / or for as long as is necessary to produce a substantially solid mixture. homogeneous, depending on Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 51 / 133 / 100 viscosity of the hydrocolloid used. Emulsion / Dispersion Training

[00124] Once formed, the CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 can be combined in unit 144 to produce an emulsion and / or a dispersion, as described above.

[00125] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, a ratio of EC dope 136 to aqueous mixture 138 combined in unit 144 to form the initial emulsion is at least 0.05:1 to 10:1, 0.1:1 to 5:1, 0.2:1 to 2:1 or 0.4:1 to 0.8:1.

[00126] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the initial emulsion comprises water in an amount of at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 percent by weight and / or not more than 90, 80, 70, 60, 50 or 40 percent by weight.

[00127] Once combined, the initial emulsion is converted into a pre-hardened dispersion including the solid and liquid phases. This conversion can be carried out by at least one of the following: shearing, spraying (ultrasonic or electro), and membrane emulsification.

[00128] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the aqueous mixture and combined CE dope is recirculated through a high shear mixer to disperse the solid phase within the liquid phase and to facilitate the hardening of the solid phase in order to produce the initial microparticles. This shearing can be performed when the CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 are fed to unit 144 and / or can be performed after predetermined quantities of CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 are within unit 144.

[00129] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the aqueous mixture and combined CE dope is recirculated through the high shear mixer by Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 52 / 133 / 100 less than 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 residence times and / or for no more than 20, 15, 10, 9 or 8 residence times based on the total volume of the high-shear mixer used. Furthermore, the high-shear mixing is carried out for a duration of at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, 120 or 240 minutes and / or for the time necessary to recirculate the mixture volume through the predetermined number of residence times.

[00130] To produce initial microparticles that will form the CE microparticles as described in this document, agitation of the aqueous mixture and combined CE dope is carried out in unit 144. The agitation carried out in unit 144 can be quantified by at least one of the following: (1) impeller tip velocity, (2) impeller Reynolds number, and (3) power-to-mass ratio. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at an impeller tip velocity of at least 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 cm / s and / or not more than 1000, 500, 400, 300, 200 or 100 cm / s. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at an impeller Reynolds number of at least 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 and / or not more than 15000, 10000, 8000, 6000, 5000, 4000 or 3000.In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 and / or not more than 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5 or 0.1.

[00131] As used in this document, terms such as solid, solid phase, particles and microparticles refer to semi-solid materials that do not lose their discrete nature (i.e., flowing together) when an aqueous / continuous phase surrounding the material is removed. HARDENING WITH EXTRACTOR Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 53 / 133 / 100

[00132] A pre-hardened dispersion 150 formed in unit 144 and including the initial microparticles (i.e., solid phase) can be channeled to a hardening unit 152 to convert the initial particles into hardened EC microparticles 112. In unit 152, the initial microparticles contained in the pre-hardened dispersion 150 are contacted with an extractor 154 (i.e., a drowning liquid) to produce a hardened dispersion 156. That is, the contact step facilitates the desolventization and hardening of the initial microparticles into EC microparticles. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the extractor is water. Alternatively, the extractor may be methanol, ethanol, and combinations thereof.

[00133] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the pre-hardened dispersion and the extractor are combined in unit 152 at a weight ratio of extractor to dispersion of at least 0.5:1, 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1 or 1.5:1 and / or not more than 10:1, 8:1, 6:1, 4:1 or 3:1.

[00134] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the weight ratio of extractor to pre-hardened particles used in the contact step is at least 2:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 30:1 or 40:1 and / or not more than 200:1, 100:1, 80:1, 60:1 or 50:1

[00135] As a result, in one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened dispersion 156 has water in one or more of the following amounts: (1) at least 25, 50, 60, 70, 80, 85 or 90 percent by weight; (2) not more than 99, 97.5, 95, 92.5, 90, 80, 70, 60 or 50 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 50-99, 70-95 or 80-92.5 percent by weight.

[00136] In one form or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 54 / 133 / 100 modality mentioned in this document, the hardened dispersion 156 has water in a weight concentration that is at least 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 times greater and / or not more than 100, 70, 50, 25, 15, 10, 5 or 2.5 times greater than the weight concentration of water in the initial emulsion.

[00137] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardening of the microparticles is carried out under agitation. The agitation carried out in unit 152 can be quantified by at least one of the following: (1) impeller tip velocity, (2) impeller Reynolds number and (3) power-to-mass ratio. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the conversion / hardening is carried out at an impeller tip velocity of at least 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 cm / s and / or not more than 1000, 500, 400, 300, 200 or 100 cm / s. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the conversion / hardening is carried out at an impeller Reynolds number of at least 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 and / or not more than 15000, 10000, 8000, 6000, 5000, 4000 or 3000.In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the conversion / hardening is performed at a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 and / or not more than 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5 or 0.1.

[00138] In addition, the conversion / hardening is carried out for a period of time of at least 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 20 minutes and / or not more than 12, 8, 6, 4 or 2 hours and at a temperature of at least 0.5 or 10 °C and / or not more than 100, 75, 50 or 25 °C.

[00139] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, conversion / hardening is carried out in a single container or in multiple containers. Multiple Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 55 / 133 / 100 containers may be required based on the output of CE microparticles to be produced and the volumetric capacity of the available containers used for hardening. In embodiments where multiple containers are used, a first portion of the pre-hardened dispersion 150 may be received in a first hardening unit and a second portion of the pre-hardened dispersion may be received in a second hardening unit. Flow communication may then be provided between the separate hardening units to enhance mass transfer so that the desolventization of the initial microparticles is accelerated.

[00140] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the pre-hardened dispersion 150 has a solids content of at least 0.5, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and / or not more than 40, 30, 20, 10 or 6 percent by weight.

[00141] As a result of hardening, in one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened dispersion 156 has a solids content of at least 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 1 percent by weight and / or not more than 20, 10, 5, 2 or 1 percent by weight.

[00142] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the solids content of the pre-hardened dispersion is at least 1.5, 2, 3 or 4 and / or not more than 20, 10, 8 or 6 times greater than the solids content of the hardened dispersion. In other words, in unit 152, the solvent is extracted from the initial microparticles to produce hardened dispersion 156 including hardened EC microparticles 112 and a solvent-loaded drowning liquid. ISOLATION / SEPARATION OF CE MICROPARTICLES

[00143] CE 112 microparticles can be isolated and recovered from the hardened dispersion 156 using any suitable technique in the unit 158. In one embodiment or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 56 / 133 / 100 method mentioned in this document, isolation can be carried out by at least one, at least two, or all three of the following: (1) evaporating (flashing) one or more liquid components from the hardened CE microparticles; (2) filtering the hardened CE microparticles of one or more liquid components; and (3) centrifuging, redispersing, and drying the hardened microparticles.

[00144] Solids processing and / or the isolation of CE microparticles can be carried out in a single unit, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or can be carried out in multiple units, as illustrated in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, a wet solids stream 160 and a separate mother liquor stream 162 are discharged from unit 158. The wet solids stream 160 contains the hardened CE microparticles and the residual liquid. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the wet solids stream 160 has a solids content of at least 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 45 percent by weight and / or not more than 60, 65, 50, 45 or 40 percent by weight. This allows the 160 wet solids stream to be transported to downstream units with reduced clogging and processing concerns.

[00145] The wet solids stream 160 can then optionally be processed in a washing unit 164 and a second solid / liquid separation unit 166. In unit 164, the hardened CE microparticles are washed with water 122 to produce a washed solids stream 168. The washed solids stream 168 is then processed in unit 166 by at least one, at least two, or all three of the following: (1) evaporating (flashing) one or more liquid components from the hardened CE microparticles; (2) filtering the hardened CE microparticles from one or more liquid components; and (3) centrifuging, redispersing, and drying the hardened microparticles. This second separation step of Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 57 / 133 / 100 solid / liquid facilitates the reduction of solvent content in the liquid surrounding the hardened CE microparticles.

[00146] A washing liquor 130 can be recovered from the second solid / liquid separation stage and then recycled for use as at least a portion of the aqueous mixture in unit 142 and / or for use as at least a portion of the drowning liquid in unit 152.

[00147] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, at least 1, 5 or 10 percent by weight and / or not more than 90, 50, 20 or 10 percent by weight of aqueous mixture 138 is recycled washing liquor.

[00148] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, at least 1, 5 or 10 percent by weight and / or not more than 90, 50, 20 or 10 percent by weight of drowning liquid 154 used in unit 152 is recycled washing liquor.

[00149] A stream of wet solids 172 discharged from unit 166 is then received in a drying unit 170. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, drying is carried out in unit 170 under agitation and with the addition of heat. Such agitation facilitates the reduction of agglomeration of the recovered CE microparticles 112. Properties of the recovered CE microparticles 112 are described in more detail below.

[00150] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the drying unit 170 is a rotary cone dryer. LIQUID PROCESSING AND RECYCLING

[00151] The separated mother liquor stream 162 discharged from unit 164 can be processed to recover water and / or solvent. The recovered water and / or solvent can then be recycled to one or more of the units shown in FIG. 2 to enhance the economic efficiency of the processes. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 58 / 133 / 100 regarding the formation of microparticles described in this document.

[00152] Liquid processing can be carried out in a single unit, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or it can be carried out in multiple units, as illustrated in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the mother liquor stream 162 contains at least a portion of water and at least a portion of solvent introduced in units 140 and / or 142, for example. The mother liquor stream 162 may also contain residual amounts of hydrocolloid, surfactant, and any components used in the production of the blended cellulose esters.

[00153] The mother liquor stream 162 can be heated 174 and then separated in unit 176 into at least two separate streams, such as solvent-enriched stream 134 and water-enriched (solvent-free) stream 132. The mother liquor stream 162 can be separated using any suitable technique in unit 176. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the separation of liquids can be carried out by distillation and the like.

[00154] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the water-enriched stream 132 includes one or more of the following: (1) water; (2) a surfactant; (3) a hydrocolloid; and (4) a C1-C4 alkyl acetate.

[00155] Therefore, the water-enriched stream 132 can be cooled 181 and then recycled to one or more units illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the composition of the water-enriched stream 132 allows it to be recycled to at least one of the units 142 as stream 178 for use in the formation of the aqueous mixture 138 and / or to the unit 152 as stream 180 for use in the desolventization of the initial microparticles, thereby reducing the water required for such processes. Any excess not required by these processes can be purged from the system and subjected to wastewater treatment, for example. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 59 / 133 / 100

[00156] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the ratio of recycled water in stream 180 used in the hardening step to recycled water in stream 178 used in the formation of the aqueous mixture 138 is at least 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and / or not more than 20:1, 10:1, 8:1 or 6:1.

[00157] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the ratio of recycled water in stream 180 used in the hardening step to purge water is at least 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 and / or not more than 20:1, 10:1, 8:1 or 6:1.

[00158] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, at least 75, 90, 95, 98, 99 or 100 percent by weight of the extractor used in unit 152 is recycled water recovered downstream of unit 152, as water contained in the water-enriched stream 132 that is recycled to unit 152.

[00159] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, fresh water 154 is added to unit 152 for use in the hardening step.

[00160] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, wherein the ratio of the total amount of fresh water added to purge water is at least 0.25:1, 0.5:1, 0.75:1 or 0.9:1 and / or not more than 4:1, 2:1, 1.5:1, 1.25:1 or 1.1:1.

[00161] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the solvent-enriched stream 134 includes one or more of: (1) a C1-C4 alkyl acetate; (2) a C1-C4 alcohol; and (3) water.

[00162] Therefore, the solvent-enriched stream 134 can be recycled to one or more of the units illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the composition of the solvent-enriched stream 134 allows it to be recycled to at least one of the units 140 for use as a Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 60 / 133 / 100 portion of the solvent in the formation of CE dope 136 and / or for unit 142 for use in the formation of aqueous mixture 138. Any excess not required by these processes may be purged from the system.

[00163] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, at least 75, 90, 95, 98, 99 or 100 percent by weight of the solvent used in unit 140 used to form CE dope 136 is recycled solvent 146.

[00164] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, fresh water 104 is added to unit 142 for use in forming the aqueous mixture 138.

[00165] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the ratio of the combined quantity of water in streams 178 and 180 to the total quantity of fresh water added 104 in unit 142 is at least 2:1, 4:1, 6:1 or 8:1.

[00166] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the aqueous mixture 138 includes a water and C1-C4 alkyl acetate and / or water and C1-C4 alcohol azeotrope, derived from the water-enriched stream 132.

[00167] Hydroxyl is generally a strong hydrogen bonding agent. Thus, the opportunity for hydrogen bonding increases as the DSOH of a given substance increases. The co-solvent alcohol of the solvent system described in this document is also a strong hydrogen bonding agent. Surprisingly, however, the co-solvent alcohol's capacity for hydrogen bonding has been found to decrease as the number of carbons (i.e., C1-C4) increases. Consequently, lower carbon number binary solvent systems that did not contain water were found to be able to dissolve cellulose esters with a DSOH greater than a biodegradability threshold (e.g., DSOH greater than 0.8). In contrast, higher carbon number binary solvent systems Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 61 / 133 / 100, which did not contain water, were found to be unable to dissolve cellulose esters with a DSOH greater than the same biodegradability threshold. Consequently, it was found that the presence of a strong hydrogen binder (i.e., water) with essentially no steric hindrance in solvent systems containing higher carbon number alcohols facilitates the dissolution of the mixed CEs described in this document in solvent systems.

[00168] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, recycled solvent 146 contains water in an amount of at least 1, 2, 4, 6 or 8 percent by weight and / or not more than 50, 40, 30, 20 or 10 percent by weight.

[00169] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, recycled solvent 146 contains at least one azeotrope, wherein the azeotrope contains water and another component.

[00170] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the azeotrope in recycled solvent 146 may be a water / alcohol azeotrope, a water / alkyl acetate azeotrope, or a water / alcohol azeotrope and a water / alkyl acetate azeotrope.

[00171] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the recycled solvent 146 contains a plurality of azeotropes. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the plurality of azeotropes includes a plurality of binary azeotropes. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the components of the solvent system are selected so that the recycled solvent 146 does not contain any ternary azeotropes, thereby simplifying the recovery and recycling of said solvent. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 62 / 133 / 100

[00172] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the solvent-enriched stream 134 contains less than 10 percent by weight, less than 1 percent by weight, less than 0.1 percent by weight, or 0.0 percent by weight of a ternary azeotrope.

[00173] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, recycled solvent 146 contains three total binary azeotropes, such as a water / alcohol azeotrope, a water / alkyl acetate azeotrope, and an alcohol / alkyl acetate azeotrope. ADDITIONAL MODALITIES

[00174] Referring now to FIG. 3, microparticles of CE 112 are produced by the formation of serialized particles. In the example embodiment, particle formation begins at unit 142, in which water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and, in some embodiments, recycled solvent 146 derived from the solvent-enriched stream 134 are combined to form the aqueous mixture 138.

[00175] The aqueous mixture 138 is discharged from unit 142 and received in a dispersion forming unit 182. In unit 182, the aqueous mixture 138 is combined with CE 100, solvent 102 and, optionally, recycled solvent 146 derived from the solvent-enriched stream 134. Thus, instead of forming CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 in separate units, the aqueous mixture 138, CE 100 and solvent 102 are combined in a common unit to form the initial emulsion.

[00176] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the aqueous mixture 138, EC 100 and solvent 102 are stirred in unit 182, the combined aqueous mixture and EC dope is recirculated through a high shear mixer to disperse the solid phase within the liquid phase of the initial emulsion and to facilitate Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 63 / 133 / 100 the hardening of the solid phase in order to produce the initial microparticles.

[00177] To produce the initial microparticles, agitation of the combined aqueous mixture 138, CE 100 and solvent 102 is carried out in unit 182. The agitation carried out in unit 182 can be quantified by at least one of the following: (1) impeller tip velocity, (2) impeller Reynolds number and (3) power-to-mass ratio. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at an impeller tip speed of at least 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 or 300 cm / s and / or not more than 1000, 500, 400, 300, 200 or 100 cm / s.In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at an impeller Reynolds number of at least 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 or 6000 and / or not more than 15000, 10000, 8000, 6000, 5000, 4000 or 3000. In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, high shear mixing is carried out at a power-to-mass ratio of at least 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 and / or not more than 10.0, 7.5, 5.0, 4.0, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.5 or 0.1.

[00178] The pre-hardened dispersion 150 is then discharged from unit 182 and the hardened CE microparticles 112 recovered from it, as described above.

[00179] Referring to FIG. 4, the microparticles of CE 112 are produced by separate dope and aqueous mixture formation and combined emulsion / dispersion and particle hardening formation. In the example embodiment, particle formation begins as illustrated in FIG. 2, where CE dope 136 and aqueous mixture 138 are formed in separate units.

[00180] In FIG. 4, however, CE dope 136 and aqueous mixture 138 are fed to a common emulsion / dispersion forming unit and Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 64 / 133 / 100 particle hardening 184. In unit 184, the CE dope 136 and the aqueous mixture 138 are combined and stirred to form the initial emulsion, as described in this document. Once the initial emulsion is formed, the extractor 154 is fed directly to unit 184 to perform the desolventization of the initial microparticles.

[00181] Referring to FIG. 5, the microparticles of CE 112 are produced by combined emulsion / dispersion formation. In the example embodiment, particle formation begins by combining all of CE 100, solvent 102, water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and, optionally, recycled solvent 146 and recycled water 178 in a common unit 186. This mixture is stirred as described in this document to produce a pre-hardened dispersion 150 containing initial microparticles. The pre-hardened dispersion is received in unit 152 to desolventize the initial microparticles, as described in this document.

[00182] Referring to FIG. 6, the microparticles of CE 112 are produced by combined emulsion / dispersion formation and particle hardening. In the example embodiment, particle formation begins by combining all of CE 100, solvent 102, water 104, hydrocolloid 106, surfactant 108 and, optionally, recycled solvent 146 and recycled water 178 in a common unit 188. In unit 188, these components are combined and agitated to form the initial emulsion, as described in this document. Once the initial emulsion is formed, the extractor 154 is fed directly to unit 188 to perform the desolventization of the initial microparticles.

[00183] Referring to FIG. 7, the CE 112 microparticles are produced by solvent evaporation (flashing) before particle hardening. In the example embodiment, the pre-hardened dispersion 150 discharged from unit 144 is received in a flash evaporation unit 190, instead of in the particle hardening unit 152. In Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 65 / 133 / 100 unit 144, at least part of the solvent of the pre-hardened dispersion 150 is removed from its liquid phase, thus forming a solvent-free dispersion 192 having a reduced solvent content. The solvent-free dispersion 192 is received in unit 152 to harden the pre-hardened microparticles contained therein, as described above. An instantaneous solvent stream 194 discharged from unit 190 can be channeled to unit 176 in order to perform liquid processing and recycling.

[00184] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, removal in unit 144 is performed by evaporation, cross-flow membrane filtration (ultrafiltration or nanofiltration), flash pot, spray pot, or clean film evaporation.

[00185] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, removal in unit 144 reduces the solvent in said dispersion by at least 30 percent, at least 50 percent, at least 75 percent, at least 90 percent, between 30 and 90 percent, or between 50 and 75 percent by weight.

[00186] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the solvent-free dispersion 192 has a solids content of at least 3, 4, 5 or 6 and / or not more than 40, 30, 20 or 10 percent by weight.

[00187] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, a drowning liquid volume ratio for the said dispersion used in unit 152 is less than 2.5:1, 2:1, 1.75:1, 1.5:1, 1.25:1 or 1:1. hardened CE microparticles

[00188] The hardened CE microparticles produced by the processes disclosed in this document exhibit tactile and / or optical qualities. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 66 / 133 / 100 desirable, for example, making them desirable for use in personal care, cosmetic and similar products. As used in this document, the terms granules, microparticles or EC microparticles may be used interchangeably with the term hardened EC microparticles, with the understanding that hardened EC microparticles are made by means of solvent / wet emulsion processes and that microgranules may also be produced by means of mechanical milling processes (e.g. jet milling) from larger EC form factors, including dry milling or size reduction processes (as described in this document).

[00189] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, EC microparticles are produced at a rate of at least 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 or 10000 kg / day and / or not more than 100000, 75000 or 50000 kg / day. To achieve these production rates, EC, solvent and / or water are supplied within the system at one or more of the following corresponding rates.

[00190] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, CE is supplied in unit 140 at a rate of at least 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 or 10000 kg / day and / or not more than 100000, 75000 or 50000 kg / day.

[00191] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the solvent is supplied in unit 140 at a rate of at least 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000 or 10000 kg / day and / or not more than 100000, 75000 or 50000 kg / day.

[00192] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, water is supplied in unit 152 at a rate of at least 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 10000, 25000, 50000 or 100000 kg / day and / or not more than 1000000, 750000 or 500000 kg / day.

[00193] In one form or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 67 / 133 / 100 modality mentioned in this document, the hardened CE microparticles have a hardness at 20 °C that is greater than the hardness at 20 °C of the initial microparticles contained in the pre-hardened dispersion 150 and / or formed in any of the processes described in this document.

[00194] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened CE microparticles have a hardness at least 1.1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 or 2 times greater than the hardness of the initial microparticles.

[00195] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened CE microparticles have a solvent content of less than 100, 50, 25 or 10 ppm.

[00196] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened CE microparticles have a lower solvent content than the solvent content of the initial microparticles.

[00197] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the hardened CE microparticles have a solvent content less than 0.99, 0.95, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6 or 0.5 of the solvent content of the initial microparticles.

[00198] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D50 that is within 50, 25, 15, 10, 5, or 2 percent of the D50 particle size of the initial microparticles.

[00199] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D50 that is less than 0.99, 0.95, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, or 0.5 percent of the volume-based particle size D50 of the initial microparticles.

[00200] In one form or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page. 68 / 133 / 100 modality mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D50 in the range of 1 to 100, 1 to 80, 1 to 70, 1 to 60, 1 to 50, 1 to 40, 1 to 35, 1 to 30, 1 to 25, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 2 to 100, 2 to 80, 2 to 70, 2 to 60, 2 to 50, 2 to 40, 2 to 35, 2 to 30, 2 to 25, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 2 to 10, 3 to 100, 3 to 80, 3 to 70, 3 to 60, 3 to 50, 3 to 40, 3 to 35, 3 to 30, 3 to 25, 3 to 20, 3 to 15, 3 to 10, 5 to 100, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, 5 to 35, 5 to 30, 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 15, 5 to 10, 10 to 100, 10 to 80, 10 to 70, 10 to 60, 10 to 50, 10 to 40, 10 to 35, 10 to 30, 10 to 25, 10 to 20, 10 to 15, 15 to 100, 15 to 80, 15 to 70, 15 to 60, to 50, 15 to 40, 15 to 35, 15 to 30, 15 to 25, 15 to 20, 20 to 100, 20 to 80, 20 to 70, to 60, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 25 to 100, 25 to 80, 25 to 70, 25 to 60, to 50, 25 to 40, 25 to 35, 25 to 30, 30 to 100, 30 to 80, 30 to 70, 30 to 60, 30 to 50, to 40 or 30 to 35 microns.For example, EC microparticles can have a volume-based particle size (D50) of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, or 100 microns.

[00201] As used in this document, the volume-based term D50 means that 50% of the granules / microparticles have a maximum dimension that is less than or equal to the observed value (e.g., 10 microns) based on volume. The D50 value can also be treated as the average particle size. To ensure that a representative D50 value is obtained, the sample size of the granules / microparticles should be at least 0.5 grams. The microparticle sample size is then dispersed and mixed in 1.5 ounces of isopropanol. The test for D50 is performed using laser diffraction and computer algorithms using Mie theory to generate a particle size distribution. A suitable particle size analyzer for determining D50 values ​​is the Malvern Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Panalytical. When using the Malvern Mastersizer, the obscuration rate can be adjusted between 2% and 5%, and the sample measurement time is set from three seconds to... Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 69 / 133 / 100 red and blue light measurements. The dispersed sample is added until the desired obscuration rate (~4%) is reached, and then measurements are taken. After the first measurement, the sample is sonicated at 50% power for 120 seconds. Subsequently, after sonication, the dispersed sample is measured again once the light energy stabilizes (usually less than a minute).

[00202] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D10 of 0.5 to 20, 0.5 to 15, 0.5 to 12, 0.5 to 10, 0.5 to 5, 0.5 to 4, 0.5 to 3, 0.5 to 2, 0.5 to 1, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 12, 1 to 5, 1 to 3, 2 to 20, 2 to 10, 2 to 5, 3 to 20, 3 to 15, 3 to 10, 4 to 20, 4 to 15, 4 to 10, 5 to 20, 5 to 15, 5 to 10, 10 to 20 or 10 to 15 microns. For example, CE microparticles can have a volume-based particle size D10 of 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 microns.

[00203] As used in this document, the volume-based term D10 means that 10% of the granules / microparticles have a maximum dimension that is less than or equal to the observed value (e.g., 10 microns) based on volume. To ensure a representative D10 value is obtained, the sample size of the granules / microparticles should be at least 0.5 grams. The microparticle sample size is then dispersed and mixed in 1.5 ounces of isopropanol. The D10 test is performed using laser diffraction and computer algorithms using Mie theory to generate a particle size distribution. A suitable particle size analyzer for determining D10 values ​​is the Malvern Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Panalytical. When using the Malvern Mastersizer, the obscuration rate can be adjusted between 2% and 5%, and the sample measurement time is set to three seconds for red and blue light measurements.The dispersed sample is added until the desired obscuring rate (~4%) is reached, and then... Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 70 / 133 / 100 measurements are performed. After the first measurement, the sample is sonicated at 50% power for 120 seconds. Subsequently, after sonication, the dispersed sample is measured again once the light energy stabilizes (usually less than a minute).

[00204] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D90 in the range of 1 to 100, 1 to 80, 1 to 70, 1 to 60, 1 to 50, 1 to 40, 1 to 35, 1 to 30, 1 to 25, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 5 to 100, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, 5 to 35, 5 to 30, 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 15, 5 to 10, 10 to 100, 10 to 80, 10 to 70, 10 to 60, 10 to 50, 10 to 40, 10 to 35, 10 to 30, to 25, 10 to 20, 10 to 15, 15 to 100, 15 to 80, 15 to 70, 15 to 60, 15 to 50, 15 to 40, to 35, 15 to 30, 15 to 25, 15 to 20, 20 to 100, 20 to 80, 20 to 70, 20 to 60, 20 to 50, 40, 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 25 to 100, 25 to 80, 25 to 70, 25 to 60, 25 to 50, 25 to 40, to 35, 25 to 30, 30 to 100, 30 to 80, 30 to 70, 30 to 60, 30 to 50, 30 to 40 or 30 to 35 microns.For example, EC microparticles can have a volume-based particle size (D90) of 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, or 20 microns.

[00205] As used in this document, the volume-based term D90 means that 90% of the granules / microparticles have a maximum dimension that is less than or equal to the observed value (e.g., 10 microns) based on volume. To ensure a representative D90 value is obtained, the sample size of the granules / microparticles should be at least 0.5 grams. The microparticle sample size is then dispersed and mixed in 1.5 ounces of isopropanol. The D90 test is performed using laser diffraction and computer algorithms using Mie theory to generate a particle size distribution. A suitable particle size analyzer for determining D90 values ​​is the Malvern Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Panalytical. When using the Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 71 / 133 / 100 In the Malvern Mastersizer, the obscuration rate can be adjusted between 2% and 5%, and the sample measurement time is set to three seconds for red and blue light measurements. The scattered sample is added until the desired obscuration rate (~4%) is reached, and then measurements are taken. After the first measurement, the sample is sonicated at 50% power for 120 seconds. Subsequently, after sonication, the scattered sample is measured again once the light energy stabilizes (typically less than a minute).

[00206] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a volume-based particle size D100 in the range of 1 to 100, 1 to 80, 1 to 70, 1 to 60, 1 to 50, 1 to 40, 1 to 35, 1 to 30, 1 to 25, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 5 to 100, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, 5 to 35, 5 to 30, 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 15, 5 to 10, 10 to 100, 10 to 80, 10 to 70, 10 to 60, 10 to 50, 10 to 40, 10 to 35, 10 to 30, 10 to 25, 10 to 20, 10 to 15, 15 to 100, 15 to 80, 15 to 70, 15 to 60, 15 to 50, 15 to 40, 15 to 35, 15 to 30, 15 to 25, 15 to 20, 20 to 100, 20 to 80, 20 to 70, 20 to 60, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 25 to 100, 25 to 80, 25 to 70, 25 to 60, 25 to 50, 25 to 40, 25 to 35, 25 to 30, 30 to 100, 30 to 80, 30 to 70, 30 to 60, 30 to 50, 30 to 40 or 30 to 35 microns. For example, EC microparticles can have a volume-based particle size D100 of 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 or 20 microns.

[00207] As used in this document, the volume-based term D100 means that 100% of the granules / microparticles have a maximum dimension that is less than or equal to the observed value (e.g., 10 microns) based on volume. To ensure that a representative D100 value is obtained, the sample size of the granules / microparticles should be at least 0.5 grams. The microparticle sample size is then dispersed and mixed in 1.5 ounces of isopropanol. The test for D100 is Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 72 / 133 / 100 performed using laser diffraction and computer algorithms using Mie theory to generate a particle size distribution. A suitable particle size analyzer for determining D100 values ​​is the Malvern Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Panalytical. When using the Malvern Mastersizer, the obscuration rate can be adjusted between 2% and 5%, and the sample measurement time is set to three seconds for red and blue light measurements. The dispersed sample is added until the desired obscuration rate (~4%) is reached, and then measurements are taken. After the first measurement, the sample is sonicated at 50% power for 120 seconds. Subsequently, after sonication, the dispersed sample is measured again once the light energy stabilizes (typically less than a minute).

[00208] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have an average particle size D[4,3] in the range of 1 to 100, 1 to 80, 1 to 70, 1 to 60, 1 to 50, 1 to 40, 1 to 35, 1 to 30, 1 to 25, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10, 1 to 8, 1 to 6, 1 to 5, 2 to 40, 2 to 35, 2 to 30, 2 to 25, 2 to 20, 2 to 15, 2 to 10, 2 to 8, 2 to 6, 2 to 5, 3 to 40, 3 to 35, 3 to 30, 3 to 25, 3 to 20, 3 to 15, 3 to 10, 3 to 8, 3 to 6, 3 to 5, 4 to 40, 4 to 35, 4 to 30, 4 to 25, 4 to 20, 4 to 15, 4 to 10, 4 to 8, 4 to 6, 5 to 100, 5 to 80, 5 to 70, 5 to 60, 5 to 50, 5 to 40, 5 to 35, 5 to 30, 5 to 25, 5 to 20, 5 to 15, 5 to 10, 10 to 100, 10 to 80, 10 to 70, 10 to 60, 10 to 50, 10 to 40, 10 to 35, 10 to 30, 10 to 25, 10 to 20, 10 to 15, 15 to 100, 15 to 80, 15 to 70, 15 to 60, 15 to 50, 15 to 40, 15 to 35, 15 to 30, 15 to 25, 15 to 20, 20 to 100, 20 to 80, 20 to 70, 20 to 60, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 35, 20 to 30, 25 to 100, 25 to 80, 25 to 70, 25 to 60, 25 to 50, 25 to 40, 25 to 35, 25 to 30, 30 to 100, 30 to 80, 30 to 70, 30 to 60, 30 to 50, 30 to 40, or 30 to 35 microns. For example, EC microparticles can have a volume-based particle size D100 of 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36, 35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, or 20 microns. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 73 / 133 / 100

[00209] As used in this document, the term average particle size D[4,3] means the average D[4,3] as described in ASTM E 799 and also known as the De Brouckere average, which divides the sum of the fourth power of the Di* percent, divided by the third power of the same calculation. To ensure that a representative D[4,3] value is obtained, the sample size of the granules / microparticles should be at least 0.5 grams. The microparticle sample size is then dispersed and mixed in 1.5 ounces of isopropanol. A suitable particle size analyzer for determining D100 values ​​is the Malvern Mastersizer 3000 from Malvern Panalytical. When using the Malvern Mastersizer, the obscuring rate can be adjusted between 2% and 5%, and the sample measurement time is set to three seconds for red and blue light measurements. The dispersed sample is added until the desired obscuration rate (~4%) is reached, and then measurements are taken.After the first measurement, the sample is sonicated at 50% power for 120 seconds. Subsequently, after sonication, the dispersed sample is measured again once the light energy stabilizes (typically less than a minute).

[00210] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have an average sphericity of at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 95, 97, 98 or 99 percent. Additionally, or alternatively, the EC microparticles may have an average sphericity of no more than 99, 95, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40 or 30 percent. In certain embodiments, the EC microparticles have an average sphericity in the range of 5 to 60, or 5 to 50, or 5 to 40, or 5 to 30, or 5 to 25, or 5 to 20, or 10 to 60, or 10 to 50, or 10 to 40, or 10 to 30, or 10 to 25, or 10 to 20 percent. In embodiments, the EC microparticles are produced by means of a mechanical size reduction process (as described in this document), for example, jet milling, and have Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 74 / 133 / 100 an average sphericity in an interval of 5 to 40, or 5 to 30, or 5 to 25, or 5 to 20, or 10 to 40, or 10 to 30, or 10 to 25, or 10 to 20 percent.

[00211] In certain embodiments, the EC microparticles have an average sphericity in the range of 70 to 100, or 70 to 90, or 70 to 80, or 75 to 100, or 75 to 90, or 75 to 80, or 80 to 100, or 80 to 90 percent. In embodiments, the EC microparticles are produced by means of an emulsion or solvent process (as described in this document) and have an average sphericity in the range of 70 to 100, or 70 to 90, or 70 to 80 percent.

[00212] The average sphericity is determined by: (1) obtaining a scanning electron microscopy image from an ETD / secondary emission (SEM) detector of a representative sample of at least 40 microparticles, (2) in the SEM image, selecting a square sample window centered on the SEM center containing exactly 30 microparticles whose entire outer perimeters are clearly visible (i.e., not occluded), (3) measuring the maximum and minimum diameters (each extending through the centroid of the particle and not necessarily perpendicular to each other) of the 30 microparticles clearly visible in the sample window, (4) for each of the 30 particles, dividing the minimum diameter by the maximum diameter and multiplying the result by 100% to obtain the sphericities of the 30 individual particles, and (5) calculating the average of the sphericities of the 30 individual particles to obtain the average sphericity.As used in this document, the term spherical in relation to the description of the shape of CE microparticles means that the CE microparticles have an average sphericity of at least 70 percent. As used in this document, the term spheroidal in relation to the description of the shape of CE microparticles means that the CE microparticles have an average sphericity of less than 70 percent.

[00213] In one form or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 75 / 133 / 100 modality mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles exhibit a monomodal particle size distribution with a space of at least 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3 or 1.4 and / or less than 3.0, 2.9, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.5, 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, 2.1, 2.0, 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6 or 1.5. In certain embodiments, CE microparticles exhibit a unimodal particle size distribution with a spacing of 1.0 to 3.0, 1.0 to 2.5, 1.0 to 2.0, 1.0 to 1.8, 1.0 to 1.6, 1.2 to 3.0, 1.2 to 2.5, 1.2 to 2.0, 1.2 to 1.8, 1.2 to 1.6, 1.3 to 3.0, 1.3 to 2.5, 1.3 to 2.0, 1.3 to 1.8, or 1.3 to 1.6. As used in this document, unimodal particle size distribution refers to a particle size distribution for a material that has only a single notable size distribution peak.This is in contrast to multimodal particle size distributions, which will have two or more peak particle size distributions. The unimodal peak space can be measured using the D10, D50, and D90 values ​​of the particles using the following formula: (Dx(90) - Dx(10)) / Dx(50), where x is the designated particle size.

[00214] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have an average softness of at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 95, 97, 98 or 99 percent. Additionally, or alternatively, the EC microparticles may have an average softness of no more than 99, 95, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40 or 30 percent.

[00215] Average smoothness is determined by: (1) obtaining a scanning electron microscopy image of a representative sample of at least 20 microparticles using a secondary emission / EDT detector, (2) in the SEM, selecting a square sample window centered on the SEM center that contains exactly 10 microparticles whose entire outer perimeters are clearly visible (i.e., not occluded), Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 76 / 133 / 100 (3) binarization of the sample window by manual binarization with upper and lower thresholds chosen to match the exact shape of the darkest regions of the particles, (4) for each of the 10 microparticles, selection of a square window at or near the center of the particle with length and width that are approximately 1 / 3 of the particle diameter (before particle binarization), (5) division of the area of ​​the dark region in the square window by the total area of ​​the square window and multiplication of the result by 100% to obtain smoothness of 10 individual particles and (5) calculation of the average smoothness of 10 individual particles to obtain the average smoothness.

[00216] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have an average BET surface area of ​​at least 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3,3, 3,4, 3,5, 3,6, 3,7, 3,8, 3,9, 4,0, 4,1, 4,2, 4,3, 4,4, 4,5, 4,6, 4,7, 4,8, 4,9,5,0, 5,1, 5,2, 5,3, 5,4, 5,5, 5,6, 5,7, 5,8, 5,9, 6,0, 6,1, 6,2, 6,3, 6,4. 6,5, 6,7, 6,8,6,9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 m² / ge / or not more than 100, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.5, 2, 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, or 1.3 m2 / g, as measured in accordance with ISO 9277, using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 instrument and krypton gas.

[00217] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a BET average pore size of at least 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 56, 57, 58 or 59 angstroms and / or less than 75, 70, 65 or 60 angstroms, as measured in accordance with ISO 9277 and ISO 15901-02 using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 instrument and nitrogen gas.

[00218] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a BJH average pore size of at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 77 / 133 / 100 120, 125 or 130 angstroms and / or less than 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140 or 130 angstroms, as measured in accordance with ISO 15901-02 using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 instrument and nitrogen gas.

[00219] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a BJH pore surface area of ​​17 to 3,000 angstroms of at least 0.5, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 or 1.5 and / or less than 2.5, 2.0, 1.9, 1.8, 1.7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4 or 1.3 m2 / g, as measured in accordance with ISO 15901-02 using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 instrument and nitrogen gas.

[00220] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a BJH pore volume of 17 to 3,000 angstroms of at least 0.001, 0.002, 0.003 or 0.004 and / or less than 0.1, 0.05 or 0.01 mL / g, as measured in accordance with ISO 15901-02 using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 instrument and nitrogen gas.

[00221] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a true specific gravity of at least 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 and / or not more than 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7 or 0.6 as measured by JIS Z8807-1976.

[00222] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles have a specific gravity by mass of at least 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 or 0.8 and / or not more than 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6 or 0.5 as measured by JIS 1201-1.

[00223] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a polydispersity index of less than 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5, 0.4 or 0.3.

[00224] In one form or in combination with any Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 78 / 133 / 100 modality mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a surfactant content of less than 200, 150, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[00225] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a plasticizer content of less than 200, 150, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[00226] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a butyric acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[00227] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have an acetic acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[00228] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a propionic acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5 or 1 ppm by weight.

[00229] The butyric acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid contents of CE microparticles can be measured by gas chromatography (GC). Under a GC methodology, the butyric acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid content can be measured by adding approximately 100 mg of CE microparticles to a 4-dram flask graduated in tare, followed by the addition of an internal standard solution comprising nonane in a 90:10 dichloromethane / methanol mixture. A magnetic stir bar is placed in the flask and the sample is stirred for two hours. After stirring, 8.0 mL of n-heptane are added dropwise to precipitate the polymer, and then the sample is vortexed. Approximately 100 mL are transferred Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 79 / 133 / 100 mg of the supernatant to a GC vial, along with 100 pL of pyridine and 450 pL of BSTFA. Samples are heated to 80 °C for 30 minutes and then cooled to room temperature before injection. Samples are simultaneously chromatographed on 100% dimethylpolysiloxane and 14% cyanopropylphenylmethylpolysiloxane columns using temperature programming and flame ionization detection. Alternatively, a second GC methodology involves sample preparation by adding approximately 30 mg of CE microparticles to a tare-graduated GC vial, followed by 200 pL of an internal standard solution comprising decane in pyridine and 1.0 mL of BSTFA. The vials are heated to 80°C for 30 minutes and then cooled to room temperature before injection.The samples are then simultaneously chromatographed on columns of 100% dimethylpolysiloxane and 6% cyanopropylphenylmethylpolysiloxane using temperature programming and flame ionization detection.

[00230] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a sulfuric acid content of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 7.5, 5, 2.5, or 1 ppm by weight. The sulfuric acid content of the CE microparticles can be measured by the following methodology. First, the test sample is added to a titration cell and dissolved in a solvent to a total volume of 70 mL. Blank solvents are also prepared for comparison purposes. The samples and blanks are then titrated with 0.05 N potassium hydroxide in methanol using an automatic titrator equipped with a combination glass potentiometric electrode. The acid number is calculated based on the weight of the sample and the KOH consumed in the sample minus the KOH consumed in the blank.

[00231] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, EC microparticles have a Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 80 / 133 / 100 EC content of at least 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99 percent by weight of the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects. Additionally, or alternatively, the EC microparticles may have an EC content of less than 99.9, 99.5, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 91, 90, 89, 88, 87, 86 or 85 percent by weight of the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects. In certain embodiments, the EC microparticles may consist essentially of the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect, including any class or subclass of these aspects.

[00232] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles may contain an additional biodegradable cellulose ester that is different from the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, the second aspect and / or the third aspect. In such embodiments, this additional cellulose ester may be cellulose acetate, which exhibits at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability or at least 50% biodegradability or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability or at least 65% biodegradability or at least 70% biodegradability or at least 75% biodegradability or at least 80% biodegradability or at least 85% biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

[00233] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles may contain at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 percent by weight of additional biodegradable cellulose ester that is different from the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, second aspect and / or third aspect. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 81 / 133 / 100 Additionally, or alternatively, the CE microparticles may contain less than 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 or 5 percent by weight of the additional biodegradable cellulose ester that is different from the mixed cellulose ester of the first aspect, the second aspect and / or the third aspect.

[00234] In one embodiment or in combination with any embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles have a moisture content in one or more of the following amounts: (1) greater than 0 percent by weight; (2) not more than 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0.05 percent by weight; and (3) in the range of 0-10, 0-5, 0-4, 0-3 or 1.3 percent by weight.

[00235] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles exhibit at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability, or at least 50% biodegradability, or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability, or at least 65% biodegradability, or at least 70% biodegradability, or at least 75% biodegradability, or at least 80% biodegradability, or at least 85% biodegradability within 56 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C, or OECD 301F test methods.

[00236] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles exhibit at least 40% biodegradability, at least 45% biodegradability, or at least 50% biodegradability, or at least 55% biodegradability, at least 60% biodegradability, or at least 65% biodegradability, or at least 70% biodegradability, or at least 75% biodegradability, or at least 80% biodegradability, or at least 85% biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C, or OECD 301F test methods. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 82 / 133 / 100

[00237] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles exhibit an oil absorption of at least 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 100 mL per 100 g (or alternatively g of oil per 100 g of microparticles), as measured using the ASTM D281 test method, wherein mineral oil is used instead of castor oil.

[00238] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the CE microparticles exhibit a zeta potential of at least -95, at least -90, at least -85, at least -80, at least -75, at least -70, at least -65, at least -60, at least -55, at least -50, or at least -45 mV. Additionally, or alternatively, the CE microparticles may exhibit a zeta potential less than -5, less than -10, less than -15, less than -20, less than -25, less than -30, less than -35, less than -40, less than -45, less than 50, less than -55, less than -60, or less than -65 mV.

[00239] The zeta potential was measured by dispersing the microparticles in water by vortex mixing for 30 seconds. The microparticle concentration was controlled at 0.5 mg / ml. Zeta potential tests were performed on a Malvern Panalytical Zetasizer Nano series instrument, model ZEN 3600, with a DTS1070 sample cell. A Smoluchowski model is then used to calculate the zeta potential.

[00240] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles exhibit a mist transmission of at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, or at least 45 percent. Additionally, or alternatively, the EC microparticles may exhibit a mist transmission of less than 90, less than 85, less than 80, less than 75, less than 70, less than 65, less than 60, less than 55, less than 50, less than 45, less than 40 percent. Mist transmission can be measured using a Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 83 / 133 / 100 BYK brightness meter and a BYK Haze Gard I (transparency criteria measurement) forming an aqueous emulsion comprising 5 percent by weight of biodegradable granules / microparticles.

[00241] The following is a detailed procedure for measuring mist. The W / O emulsion for measuring % mist was prepared using the following procedure. Two phases were used to prepare the emulsion. Phase A is made of water, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate (Merck), and Euxil PE9010 (Ashland) in the following weight concentrations, 59:2:1, respectively. Phase B is prepared with caprylic / capric triglycerides (Making Cosmetics), C12 15 alkyl benzoate (Making Cosmetics), Emullium Illustro (Gattefosse), ISD V bentonite gel (Elementis), and microparticle powder in the following weight concentrations, 12.5:12.5:5:3:5, respectively. Phase A is prepared by mixing the listed components. Phase B is prepared without the microparticle powder by air agitation until all components are dissolved. Next, Phase A is added to Phase B while stirring at 1000 rpm until thoroughly mixed.Next, the microparticle powder is added to the mixture while mixing at 1000 rpm for 5 minutes. The resulting mixture is homogenized with an Ultra Turax for 5 minutes at 10,000 rpm. The mist transmission of extraction films (38µm) after 5 minutes of drying at 50 °C is measured using BYK Haze Gard I.

[00242] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the EC microparticles exhibit a total transmission of at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 75, at least 80, at least 85, at least 86, at least 87, at least 88 or at least 89 percent, as measured using a BYK Haze-Gard I unit using the procedure disclosed in this document. COSMETIC FORMULATIONS Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 84 / 133 / 100

[00243] Hardened EC microparticles produced by the processes disclosed in this document (e.g., emulsion processes) or EC microparticles produced by physical size reduction processes (e.g., jet milling) can be used to produce a variety of cosmetic compositions. Cosmetic compositions can be produced by: (1) supplying a plurality of EC microparticles; (2) combining the EC granules / microparticles with one or more cosmetic additives to thereby form a pre-cosmetic mixture; and (3) forming the cosmetic composition from the pre-cosmetic mixture.

[00244] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the cosmetic composition may comprise at least 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 percent by weight of EC microparticles. Additionally, or alternatively, the cosmetic composition may comprise less than 99, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 or 5 percent by weight of EC microparticles. For example, the cosmetic composition may comprise 0.1 to 90, 0.1 to 50, 0.1 to 30, 0.1 to 20, 0.1 to 15, 0.1 to 10, 0.1 to 5, 1 to 90, 1 to 50, 1 to 30, 1 to 20, 1 to 15, 1 to 10 or 1 to 5 percent by weight of CE microparticles.

[00245] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the cosmetic composition may be a base, a sunscreen, a lipstick, a mascara, an eyeshadow, a lotion, a dry shampoo, a liquid shampoo, a body lotion, a lotion, a hair conditioner, a skin moisturizer, a facial lotion, a tablet, a foot powder, a baby powder, a shaving cream or a shaving gel.

[00246] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the cosmetic composition may be a loose powder, a compact powder, a gel, an emulsion, a liquid or an aerosol. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 85 / 133 / 100

[00247] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the cosmetic composition comprises at least 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95 or 99 percent by weight of at least one, two, three, four or five cosmetic additives. Additionally, or alternatively, the cosmetic composition may comprise less than 99, 95, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55 or 50 percent by weight of at least one, two, three, four or five cosmetic additives. For example, the cosmetic composition may comprise 1 to 99, 1 to 95, 1 to 90, 1 to 85, 1 to 80, 5 to 99, 5 to 95, 5 to 90, 5 to 85, 10 to 99, 10 to 95, 10 to 85, 10 to 80, 15 to 99, 15 to 95, 15 to 90, 15 to 85 or 15 to 80 percent by weight of at least one, two, three, four or five cosmetic additives.

[00248] Cosmetic additives may generally include a solvent, a dye, an oil, a wax, a fatty acid, an alcohol, an ester, a hydrocarbon, a silicone oil, a surfactant, a metallic soap, a moisturizer, a thickener, a UV absorber, an antioxidant, an oil absorbent, an exfoliant, water, or a combination thereof.

[00249] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the dye comprises a pigment (for example, an organic pigment and / or an inorganic pigment) and / or a dye.

[00250] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the oil comprises triglycine, soybean oil, cocoa butter, palm oil, palm kernel oil, hardened oil and / or hardened castor oil.

[00251] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the wax comprises carnauba wax, candelilla wax, lanolin, lanolin, candelilla wax, wax of Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 86 / 133 / 100 cotton, Montana wax, Kapok wax, lanolin acetate, lanolin and / or isopropyl lanolin fatty acid.

[00252] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the fatty acid comprises lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, isostearic acid, behenic acid, oleic acid, undecylenic acid, linoleic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and / or docosahexaenoic acid.

[00253] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, alcohol comprises cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, 2-octyldodecanol, lauryl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol and / or cetostearyl alcohol.

[00254] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the ester comprises isopropyl myristate, 2-octyldodecyl myristate, cetyl 2-ethylhexanoate, diisostearyl malate, tripropylene glycol dineopentate, isononyl isononanoate, isotorideyl isononanoate, cetyl octanoate, isocetyl palmitate, butyl stearate, hexyl laurate, myristyl myristate, decyl oleate, hexyl decyl dimethyloctanate, cetyl lactate, myristyl lactate, lanolin acetate, isosethyl stearate, isoethyl isostearate, cholesteryl 12-hydroxystearate, ethylene glycol, di-2-ethylhexanoic acid, fatty acid ester dipentaerythritol, N-alkyl glycol monoisostearate, neopentyl glycol dicaprate, glyceryl di2-heptylundecanoate, trimethylpropane tri-2-ethylhexanoate, trimethylolpropane triisostearate, pentaerythritol tetra-2-ethylhexanoate, glyceryl tri-2-ethylhexanoate, glyceryl trioctanoate,glyceryl triisopalmitate, trimethylolpropane triisostearate, ethylhexyl palmitate, glyceryl trimyristate, tri-2-heptylundecanoic acid glyceride, castor oil fatty acid methyl ester, oleyl oleate, acetoglyceride, 2-heptylundecyl palmitate, diisobutyl adipate, N-lauroyl-L-glutamic acid Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 87 / 133 / 100 hexyldecyl palmitate, hexyldecyl adipate, diisopropyl sebacate, ethylhexyl succinate, and / or triethyl citrate.

[00255] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the hydrocarbon comprises paraffin, petrolatum and / or microcrystalline wax.

[00256] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and / or a nonionic surfactant.

[00257] In one embodiment or in combination with any other embodiment mentioned in this document, the thickener comprises guar gum, pectin, starch, gelatin, collagen, cellulose derivatives and / or mannan. EXPERIMENTS

[00258] The following experiments include the preparation of cellulose esters, the preparation of microparticles, the preparation of cosmetic formulations containing the microparticles, and the testing of these compositions. Preparation of Cellulose Esters Example 1-1:

[00259] A cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) was prepared as follows: Cellulose and an acidic mixture [cellulose (4.3 parts) and acetic acid (AcOH) (11.8 parts)] were added to a stirred reactor and soaked without heating. The mixture was then heated to 55 °C. Some sulfuric acid was added, and the reactor was cooled to 30 °C. Next, a mixture of acetic anhydride (Ac₂O) (8.9 parts) and butyric anhydride (Bu₂O) (5.6 parts) was added, and the mixture was cooled to about 9 °C with stirring. Additional sulfuric acid was added to a total of 0.6 parts, and the resulting reaction mixture was heated to 50 °C until the acylation reaction was complete and the desired molecular weight was obtained. To this reaction mixture, a mixture of butyric acid (BuOH) (18 parts) and... Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 88 / 133 / 100 H2O (7.4 parts). The mixture was then stirred at 68 °C for 1020 min, but with the addition of a mixture of magnesium acetate (Mg(OAc)2) (0.61 parts), BuOH (6.9 parts) and H2O (2.7 parts) after 80 min. After the entire time period, the mixture was completely neutralized with a solution of Mg(OAc)2 (0.86 parts), BuOH (1.5 parts) and H2O (4.8 parts). The mixture was then precipitated in water, washed and dried by common methods to recover CAB.

[00260] The degree of substitution (DS) and molecular weight (Mw) for CAB from Example 1-1 were determined. The DS and Mw results are as follows: Example 1-1: Cellulose Acetate Butyrate (DSAc=1.87, DSBu=0.22, DSOH=0.91 and Mw=90766) General procedure for the preparation of cellulose esters Examples 1-2 to 1-8

[00261] A mixture of cellulose [cellulose and AcOH] (Cellulose Mixture) and sulfuric acid, Ac2O and Bu2O (Acylation Solution) was cooled to 30 °C in a stirred reactor, and the reaction mixture was cooled to about 7 °C with stirring. Additional sulfuric acid was added to a target amount and the resulting reaction mixture, while stirred, was heated to 45 °C–65 °C until the acylation reaction was complete and the desired molecular weight was obtained. The reaction mixture was treated with aqueous AcOH and BuOH (Hydrolysis Solution) and stirred at 68 °C under Hydrolysis Conditions. Then, the reaction mixture was suppressed, neutralized, precipitated, washed, and dried by common methods. The relative amounts and reaction conditions for Examples 1-2 to 1-8 are listed below in Table 1.1. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 89 / 133 / 100 Table 1.1 Example: Cellulose Mixture Acylation Solution Hydrolysis Solution Hydrolysis Conditions Cellulose (parts) AcOH (parts) H2SO4 (parts) AcOH (parts) Ac2O (parts) Bu2O (parts) AcOH (parts) BuOH (parts) H2O (parts) Time (min) Temp (°C) 1-2* 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 985 68 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 966 68 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 972 68 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 989 68 1-3* 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 89 56 184 84 146.2 1.020 68 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 89 56 184 84 146.2 840 68 1-4 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 881 71 1-5 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 843 68 1-6 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 92 53 219 84 153.3 943 68 1-7* 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 93 52 184 84 146.2 810 68 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 93 52 184 84 146.2 960 68 1-8 43 167.5 3.1 3.1 89 56 184 84 146.2 840 68 *Mixture of 2-4 batches of CAB Characterization of cellulose ester

[00262] The results showing DS and Mw for Examples 1-2 to 1-8 are listed in Table 1.2 below.

[00263] DS and Mw were calculated as follows: Degree of substitution

[00264] The degree of substitution for the substituents in the main structure of the cellulose ester is calculated using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography is performed on cellulose esters in stabilized tetrahydrofuran. The instrument is an Agilent 1260 consisting of a degasser, isocratic pump with a flow rate of 1.0 milliliter per minute, autosampler with an injection volume of 25 microliters, a column oven set at 28 °C, and a refractive index detector at 28 °C. The column array consists of a 5-micron Agilent PLgel shield, Mixed-C, and Oligopore in series. The system is calibrated with a monodisperse polystyrene standard ranging from approximately 4 million to 162 molecular weights.The sample is prepared by weighing approximately 25 milligrams of sample into 10 milliliters of solvent with the addition of 10 microliters of toluene to be used as a flow rate marker, adding a stirring bar to an 8-drama screw-top bottle and stirring until... Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 90 / 133 / 100 dissolution. Molecular weight

[00265] Molecular weight is determined by gel permeation chromatography. Gel permeation chromatography is performed on cellulose esters in stabilized tetrahydrofuran. The instrument is an Agilent 1260 consisting of a degasser, isocratic pump with a flow rate of 1.0 milliliter per minute, autosampler with an injection volume of 25 microliters, a column oven set at 28 °C, and a refractive index detector at 28 °C. The column array consists of a 5-micron shielded Agilent PLgel, Mixed-C, and Oligopore columns in series. The system is calibrated with a monodisperse polystyrene standard ranging from approximately 4 million to 162 molecular weights. The sample is prepared by weighing approximately 25 milligrams of sample into 10 milliliters of solvent with the addition of 10 microliters of toluene to be used as a flow rate marker, adding a stirring bar to an 8-drama screw-top bottle and stirring until dissolved. Microparticle Preparation Examples 2-1 to 2-13:

[00266] The microparticles were produced from the cellulose esters of Examples 1-2 to 1-8. Examples 2-1 to 2-11 were made by jet milling and Examples 2-12 and 2-13 were made by an emulsion process, as described below. Comparative Examples 1 to 3:

[00267] Microparticles were also produced from commercial cellulose esters by jet milling, as described below.

[00268] The results for each of the microparticles, including which cellulose ester was used, the particle size (PS), oil absorption, and surface area (SSA / BET) are listed in Table 1.2 below. Jet Milling Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 91 / 133 / 100

[00269] There are multiple jet milling configurations that can be used to reduce particle size. Such configurations are discussed in A. Chamayou and JA Dodds, Air Jet Milling, Handbook of Powder Technology, volume 12, Chapter 8, 2007 (“Chamayou”). Fig. 7 from Chamayou provides an example of a fluidized bed opposed jet mill that can be used to reduce the particle size of cellulose ester described below in Table 1 (for the microparticles identified as being produced by jet milling). The jet milling process was used to reduce the particle size of cellulose ester from 300-900 µm to ~10 µm. This basic jet mill operates as follows: The cellulose ester is placed in a hopper and fed into the top of the mill (FEED IN) typically through a double valve arrangement (or through an injector).Cellulose ester particles fall by gravity to the bottom of the mill, where they are swept into one of three geometrically oriented high-pressure air streams, forming what is called the pulverization zone. Within the pulverization zone, the cellulose ester particles are reduced in size through particle collisions. The reduced-size particles are then transported upwards by mass transport in the vertical air stream (fluidized bed), ultimately carrying them to the classifier. The classifier allows particles below the desired minimum size to be removed from the mill (“FINE OUT”). Particles above the maximum size are excluded from the classifier and returned to the fluidized bed, finally falling back into the pulverization zone for further size reduction.Particles that fall within the desired size range are ejected from the classifier into an appropriate product container. There are many control parameters to optimize productivity, particle size, and particle size distribution shape, including, but not limited to. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 92 / 133 / 100, necessarily limited to classifier rotor speed, air nozzle pressure, and bed level. Emulsification process

[00270] A clean, dry 3-liter kettle flask (with baffles) fitted with a two-layer suspended mechanical stirrer and bottom drop valve is prepared. The kettle is loaded with 700-1300 g of deionized water, 6-13 g of Tergitol 15-S-40 and 0-1.0 g of PEG-100 stearate. Over 15 minutes, 7-12 g of colloidal protector (carboxymethylcellulose or methylcellulose of low, medium and high viscosity) are added to the stirred aqueous mixture. The mixture is kept stirring at room temperature for one hour or until homogeneous.

[00271] A separate clean and dry 2-liter kettle flask fitted with a suspended mechanical stirrer and a bottom drop valve is prepared. A dope solution consisting of 10-100% cellulose ester is prepared using 0-5.0 parts of C1-C4 alkyl acetate, 0-1.0 part of C1-C3 alcohol, and 0-0.80 part of deionized water (based on the mass of cellulose ester used). The mixture is kept under stirring at room temperature until homogeneous.

[00272] The dope solution is added to the 3-liter kettle over 30 minutes with vigorous stirring (250-500 rpm). Upon completion of the addition, the emulsion is recirculated through a flow cell containing a high-shear mixer (0-12,000 rpm) at a rate of 100-300 mL / minute for 45-60 minutes.

[00273] Upon completion of the high shear mixing time, the emulsion is then pumped at 300 mL / min into a 5-gallon bucket equipped with a single-layer suspended mechanical stirrer containing 4000-6000 g of deionized water and stirred at 250-500 rpm for 0-16 hours. After the holding time, the volume is centrifuged to separate the spherical microparticles. The microparticles are suspended in 1-2 L of water. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 93 / 133 / 100 deionized and centrifuged again. This washing process is repeated once.

[00274] The microparticles are placed in a sigma blade mixer and dried under vacuum (100-400 mmHg) at 50-100 °C for 16 hours. The recovered yield is about 75-85%. Typical / target particle size data are as follows: D(10) = 3.07 pm; D(50) = 8.20 pm; D(90) = 22.6 pm; the volume-based average particle size is about 11.3 pm. Characterization of microparticles

[00275] The microparticles were characterized by measuring particle size (PS), oil absorption, and surface area (SSA / BET). Particle Size

[00276] The particle size distribution and mean / average particle size were determined by analyzing the microparticles with light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 (HydroMV scattering unit) according to the following procedure: 1. Sample Preparation

[00277] a. Pour 1.5 ounces of isopropanol into a 2.5 ounce glass bottle.

[00278] b. Place 0.5 grams of sample in the vial and shake vigorously. 2. Initialization of the instrument

[00279] a. Completely fill the HydroMV dispersion unit with isopropanol and adjust the stirrer speed to 3,500 RPM.

[00280] b. Allow the isopropanol to circulate for about one minute, then open the drain valve to release the liquid into the waste bucket.

[00281] c. Repeat steps a and b (the dispersion unit needs to be rinsed twice). Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 94 / 133 / 100

[00282] d. Fill the HydroMV dispersion unit halfway with isopropanol and adjust the stirrer speed to 3,500 RPM. Allow the isopropanol to circulate for 5 minutes, until the energy in the detectors stabilizes.

[00283] e. Adjust the stirrer speed to 3,000 RPM, initialize the instrument and measure the bottom. 3. Sample measurement

[00284] a. Adjust the obscuration rate between 2 and 5%. Adjust the sample measurement time to 3 seconds for red and blue light measurements.

[00285] b. Add the sample suspension drop by drop until the desired obscuring rate (~4%) is reached.

[00286] c. Measure the sample.

[00287] d. After the first measurement, sonicate the sample at 50% power for 120 seconds.

[00288] e. After sonication, wait until the light energy stabilizes (usually less than a minute) and measure the sample again. 4. Clean

[00289] a. Open the drain valve to release the liquid containing the sample into the waste bucket.

[00290] b. Repeat steps 2a to 2c to rinse the dispersion unit.

[00291] c. After all cellulose ester samples have been measured, rinse the HydroMV dispersion unit twice with Millipore water.

[00292] d. Place the lid on the HydroMV dispersion unit and close the software.

[00293] The above procedure can be used to determine the particle size D10, D50 and D90, as well as the particle size Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 95 / 133 / 100 average D[4,3]. Unless otherwise specified in the examples, particle size (PS) refers to the average particle size D[4,3]. Oil absorption

[00294] Oil absorption was measured using an ASTM D281 standard test method to determine the oil absorption capacity of the microparticles tested. In this method, a known quantity of microparticles was weighed into a glass vial, and olive oil was carefully added drop by drop to the absorbent microparticle using a plastic pipette. The microparticles were thoroughly mixed with oil after the addition of all other droplets by rubbing with a sharp-edged steel spatula. The test is complete when exactly enough oil has been incorporated with the particle to produce a very rigid, dough-like paste that does not break or separate. The dropper bottle containing oil is precisely weighed.The oil absorption capacity or absorption of microparticles is calculated by the following equation: where A = initial weight of the oil drip bottle, B = final weight of the oil drip bottle, and W = weight of the initial microparticle sample in grams. Oil Absorption (g / g or g / 100g) = (A - B) / W.

[00295] SSA / BET

[00296] The surface area of ​​the microparticles was measured using a BET gas absorption method according to ISO 9277 using a Micrometrics ASAP 2020 instrument.

[00297] The measurement was performed using the following procedure: 1) Samples of 0.5-1 gram are degassed at 60 °C overnight. If degassing is insufficient, the temperature will be increased by 10 °C, but below 100 °C, to avoid irreversible changes to the surface.

[00298] 2) The sample mass is determined by the difference in weight between the empty test tube and the test tube filled with the sample after the Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 96 / 133 / 100 degassing.

[00299] 3) Krypton adsorption at 77K is used for specific surface area analysis.

[00300] 4) Seven relative pressures from 0.06 to 0.20 are collected and adjusted for BET specific surface area analysis.

[00301] The test results for PS, Oil Absorption and Surface Area for the microparticles tested are included in Table 1.2 below. Table 1.2: Microparticles _______________________________________ Exemplo CE usado Tipo de CE Mw (k) Níveis DS PS (micra) Absorção de Óleo (g / 100g) SSA / BET (m2 / g) Ex 2-1 Ex 1-2 CAB 45 DS-OH: 0,87 DS-Ac: 1,92 DS-Bu: 0,2 11,2 108 3,18 Ex 2-2 Ex 1-3 CAB 81 DS-OH: 0,9 DS-Ac: 1,9 DS-Bu: 0,2 9,7 76 4 Ex 2-3 Ex 1-4 CAB 73 DS-OH: 0,93 DS-Ac: 1,87 DS-Bu: 0,19 7,88 89 3,17 Ex 2-4 Ex 1-4 CAB 73 DS-OH: 0,93 DS-Ac: 1,87 DS-Bu: 0,19 9,75 82 4,27 Ex 2-5 Ex 1-4 CAB 73 DS-OH: 0,93 DS-Ac: 1,87 DS-Bu: 0,19 14,4 80 2,93 Ex 2-6 Ex 1-5 CAB 18 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,98 DS-Bu: 0,2 6,2 79 3,31 Ex 2-7 Ex 1-5 CAB 18 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,98 DS-Bu: 0,2 9,3 69 2,54 Ex 2-8 Ex 1-5 CAB 18 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,98 DS-Bu: 0,2 14,3 81 2,05 Ex 2-9 Ex 1-6 CAB 14 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,97 DS-Bu: 0,22 5,2 75 3,59 Ex 2-10 Ex 1-6 CAB 14 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,97 DS-Bu: 0,22 10,6 76 2,42 Ex 2-11 Ex 1-6 CAB 14 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,97 DS-Bu: 0,22 14,8 77 1,82 Ex 2-12 Ex 1-7 CAB 76,7 DS-OH: 0,83:0,75 8,0 43 2,1 Ex 2-13 Ex 1-8 CAB 72 DS-OH: 0,8 DS-Ac: 1,99 DS-Bu: 0,2 11,2 79 1,67 Comp.Ex 1 CA 398-6 CA 55 DS-OH: 0.6 DS-Ac: 2.4 10 108 6.53. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 97 / 133 / 100 Example EC used EC Type Mw (k) DS Levels PS (microns) Oil Absorption (g / 100g) SSA / BET (m2 / g) Comp. Ex 2 CA 394-60S CA 115 DS-OH: 0.6 DS-Ac: 2.4 10.9 113 13.84 Comp. Ex 3 CA 394-60S* CA 115 DS-OH: 0.6 DS-Ac: 2.4 10.8 101 13.6 *Pre-ground in a mechanical mill to 300 microns before jet grinding. Biodegradability test

[00302] Certain cellulose esters and microparticles from the examples above were tested to determine their biodegradability according to OECD test method 301B or OECD 301F. Description of the OECD 301B test

[00303] A specific volume of a mineral medium is inoculated with a known concentration of the test substance, which serves as the nominal source of organic carbon. The medium is then aerated with carbon dioxide-free air at a controlled rate, either in the dark or under diffused light conditions.

[00304] Over a period of 60 days, the degradation of the test substance is monitored by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide produced. The carbon dioxide is captured using barium or sodium hydroxide and quantified by titrating the remaining hydroxide or by measuring the inorganic carbon.

[00305] The amount of carbon dioxide generated from the test substance, after adjusting for any carbon dioxide produced by the blank inoculum, is expressed as a percentage of Theoretical Carbon Dioxide (ThCO2). Additionally, the extent of biodegradation can be calculated by analyzing the change in Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) levels at the beginning and end of the incubation period. Description of the OECD 301F test

[00306] A measured volume of a mineral medium is inoculated with a known concentration of the test substance, which serves as the nominal source of organic carbon. The medium is placed in a closed flask and stirred at a constant temperature (within a range of +1 °C or more). Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 98 / 133 / 100 next) for a maximum of 60 days.

[00307] Oxygen consumption is determined using one of two methods: measuring the amount of oxygen required (produced electrolytically) to maintain a constant gas volume in the respirometer canister or monitoring changes in volume or pressure (or a combination of both) in the device.

[00308] Any carbon dioxide produced during the process is absorbed using a potassium hydroxide solution or other suitable absorbent. The amount of oxygen used by the microbial population during the biodegradation of the test substance is calculated by subtracting the oxygen consumption by the blank inoculum (which is run in parallel). This value is expressed as a percentage of the Theoretical Oxygen Demand (ThOD) or, less ideally, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).

[00309] These tests were performed on cellulose ester samples 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6 and CA-398-6; and on microparticle samples 2-1, 2-2 and Comparative Sample 1. The results are listed below in Table 1.3. Table 1.3: Biodegradability test Example Form Test Method Biodegradation (%) Ex. 2-1 Microparticles OECD 301B 83.4 Ex. 2-2 Microparticles OECD 301F 67.9 Ex. 1-3 CAB OECD 301F 60 Ex. 1-4 CAB OECD 301F 67 Ex. 1-5 CAB OECD 301F 62.7 Ex. 1-6 CAB OECD 301F 62.9 Comp. Ex. 1 Microparticles OECD 301F 76 CA-398-6 CA OECD 301F 32.5

[00310] A review of Table 1.3 reveals that the percentage of biodegradability is higher for the microparticles compared to the cellulose ester source used to produce the microparticles and that Ex. 1-4 had the highest percentage of biodegradability of the cellulose esters tested. Cosmetic Formulations

[00311] The cosmetic formulations that have been prepared and tested Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 99 / 133 / 100, includes a water / oil (W / O) liquid foundation, W / O sunscreen, lipstick, and W / O lotion. Water / Oil (W / O) Liquid Foundation

[00312] The ingredients used for the preparation of the liquid A / O base formulation are listed in Table 2. Table 2: Ingredients of the A / O Liquid Base Phase Ingredients Composition (% by weight) A Titanium dioxide (and) Octyldodecanol (and) Jojoba esters (and) Trihydroxystearin 11.00% A CI 77492 (dye / pigment) 1.20% A CI 77491 (dye / pigment) 0.20% A CI 77499 (dye / pigment) 0.17% A Polyhydroxystearic acid 1.00% A Cococaprylate / caprate 2.00% B Isododecane 6.00% B Squalane 9.00% B Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate 2.20% B Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate 3.30% B Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (and) caprylic / capric triglycerides 3.00% B Isododecane (and) Distearidinium hectorite (and) Propylene carbonate 4.00% C Deionized water 42.43% C Magnesium sulfate 1.00% C Propylene glycol 2.00% C Glycerin 1.50% D Capryloyl Glycerin / Sebacic Acid Copolymer 4.00% D Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin 1.00% D Microparticle 5.00% Preparation of the A / O Liquid Base

[00313] The formulation for the liquid A / O base was prepared according to the following process: 1. Combine phase A (melt the polyhydroxystearic acid first) and pass it through 3 roller mills 3 times; 2. Combine phase B and mix with the suspended stirrer (large solvent / 400 RPM); 3. Add phase A to phase B and homogenize with Ultra Turax (5k RPM) for 5 minutes; 4. Combine phase C and stir with the magnetic stir bar until dissolved; 5. Slowly add phase C to phase AB while mixing. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 100 / 133 / 100 with Ultra Turax (10k RPM); 6. Homogenize for 10 minutes at 10,000 rpm; 7. Add the ingredients from phase D, one by one, to the emulsion while mixing at 5k RPM; 8. Add the microparticles while mixing with Ultra Turax at 10,000 rpm. Test

[00314] The liquid base A / O test included optical effect testing and sensory panel evaluation.

[00315] Optical effects were evaluated using substrates that mimic skin in vitro in the form of synthetic textured leather with topographic patterns. The procedures for applying formulation products to the substrates are as follows.

[00316] 1. Cut a large piece of synthetic leather into a small square shape measuring 5x5 cm2 using scissors; 2. Gently mix the cosmetic formulation with a pipette or wooden stick; 3. Weigh out a total quantity of 0.05g of cosmetic formulation using an analytical balance and drop it evenly onto 9 different points on the textured leather substrate; 4. Rub and spread the product with a gloved finger (for safety reasons) using a circular motion for 1 minute; 5. Allow the cosmetic product to dry for 5 minutes, visually assess the samples (at an angle of ~45 degrees) and rate (1-5) for optical effects and coverage, ensuring that the lighting conditions are the same for all assessments; 6. Taking photos for record-keeping purposes. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 101 / 133 / 100 Table 3: Microparticles in Liquid Water / Oil Base Microparticles Optical Effect Classification (1-5) No microparticles 2.5 5% by weight Nylon-12 3.5 Polymethyl Methacrylate 5% by weight 3.5 5% by weight Ex. 2-2 4 Cellulose 5% by weight 3.25 Cellulose Acetate 5% by weight 3.75 5% by weight Boron Nitride 3 Silica 5% by weight 3.75

[00317] The optical effect test was also performed on commercial liquid-based products. The results are shown below in Table 4. Table 4: Microparticles in Commercial Products_____________________ Microparticles Liquid Foundation Optical Effect Classification (1-5) None Dior Forever Natural Nude 3 5% by weight of Ex. 2-2 Dior Forever Natural Nude 3.75 None bareMinerals Original 3 5% by weight of Ex. 2-2 bareMinerals Original 3.5 None NARS Light Reflecting 3 5% by weight of Ex. 2-2 NARS Light Reflecting 4

[00318] The sensory panel test was conducted by 5-10 panelists. Products were randomly assigned numbers or letters for blind testing. A small amount (10-30 mg) of product was applied to the back of the hand and then gently massaged in with a fingertip to spread it using a circular motion. Each person was asked to rate each of the following sensory attributes from 1 to 5 in ascending order of intensity: Spreadability: an assessment of how well the sample spreads and continues to provide consistent coverage while still wet and being applied to the skin, with 1 being difficult to spread consistently and 5 being very easy to spread consistently; Slipperiness: Assessment of how slippery or easily movable (or sliding) the sample is when applied to the skin, with 1 being difficult to move and 5 being very easy to move; Smoothness: Evaluation of how smooth the sample feels after being applied and allowed to dry, with 1 being rough and 5 being very smooth; Coverage: Assessment of how uniform the color / pigmentation is. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 102 / 133 / 100 after the sample is applied and allowed to dry, with 1 being non-uniform and 5 highly uniform; Soft focus: Evaluation of how diffuse the covered area appears and how well it optically blurs / hides blemishes / defects by manipulating light scattering to conceal imperfections, with 1 being poor blurring / concealing ability and 5 being very good blurring / concealing effect; Mattifying: Evaluation of how well the applied sample reduces shine and has less contrast with the skin, with 1 being bright or shiny and a high-contrast appearance, and 5 being very flat (not bright) and low-contrast.

[00319] After each evaluation, residual products on the skin were removed with moistened wipes and the next product was evaluated. The results, as an average rating for each attribute, are shown below in Table 5. Table 5: Effect of particle size on sensory attributes: Classification 1-5 ___________________________________________________ Spreadability, Glide, Smoothness, Soft Focus / Mattifying, Liquid Foundation, O / W 3, 2.87, 2.87, 2.25, 5% by weight of Ex. 2-3, 2.5, 2.56, 2.75, 3.06, 5% by weight of Ex. 2-4, 3.25, 2.68, 3.25, 2.93, 5% by weight of Ex. 2-5, 3.25, 3.18, 3.62, 3.18

[00320] The shape of certain microparticles was identified and listed in Table 6 below. The effect of shape on the sensory test was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 7 below. Table 6: Shape: Spherical vs. Spheroid Microparticles INCI Shape Ex. 2-2 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Non-spherical (spheroid) Comp. Ex. 2 Cellulose Acetate Non-spherical (spheroid) Ex. 2-12 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Spherical Ex. 2-13 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate Spherical Table 7: Effect of shape on sensory attributes: Rating 1-5 Spreadability, Glide, Smoothness, Coverage, Soft focus (blurring), Mattifying, Liquid Foundation, O / W 3 3 3 3 3 3 5% by weight Ex. 2-2 3 2.71 3.14 3.85 4 3.91 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 103 / 133 / 100 Spreading Smoothness Coverage Soft focus (blurring) Mattifying 5% by weight Comp. Ex. 2 3.28 3.14 3.71 3.71 4.16 3.91 5% by weight Ex. 2-12 3 3.57 3.57 3.42 3.5 3.91 5% by weight Ex. 2-13 3.28 3.14 3.57 2.85 3.5 3.75

[00321] A review of Tables 5 to 7 reveals that the larger particle size generally provided higher ratings for spread, glide, and smoothness, but had less effect on ratings for soft focus and mattifying effects (see Table 5), and the spherical shape provided higher ratings for spread, glide, and smoothness, but generally provided lower ratings for coverage, soft focus, and mattifying effects (see Tables 6 and 7). Water / Oil (W / O) Sunscreen

[00322] The ingredients used to prepare the O / W sunscreen formulation are listed in Table 8. Table 8: Ingredients of the A / O Sunscreen Phase Ingredient Description Base Formula Microparticle Formula Source A Zinc Oxide Dispersion, Paste Zinc oxide, caprylic / capric triglyceride, polyhydroxystearic acid, isostearic acid, lecithin, polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate 21.98 21.98 Making Cosmetics B Cetiol C5C Coco caprylate caprate 10.66 10.66 BASF B CCT Caprylic / Capric Triglyceride 5.33 5.33 Making Cosmetics B Emullium Illustro Polyglyceryl-6 Polyhydroxystearate (and) Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate 5.33 5.33 Gattefossé C Demi water Aqua 49.24 46.24 Demi water C Magnesium sulfate Magnesium sulfate 2.13 2.13 Merck C Propanediol Propanediol 2.13 2.13 Gova C Glycerin Glycerin 2.13 2.13 Gova D Euxyl PE9010 Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin 1.07 1.07 Ashland E Microparticle 0.00 3.00 See Table 9 TOTAL (% weight) 100.00 100.00 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 104 / 133 / 100 Preparing A / O Sunscreen

[00323] The formulation for O / W Sunscreen was prepared according to the following process: 1. Combine phase B (oil phase) and mix with the suspended stirrer using a large solvent at 400 RPM; 2. Heat the oil phase to 50 °C; 3. Combine phase C (aqueous phase) and stir with the magnetic stir bar until well mixed; 4. Add zinc oxide dispersion (phase A) to the oil phase; 5. Once Phase A is thoroughly mixed into Phase B, transfer to a Silverson mixer and mix at 5K RPM for 5 minutes; 6. Slowly add the CD phase to the AB phase while mixing with a Silverson (10K RPM); 7. Homogenize for 10 minutes at 10,000 RPM; 8. Post-add phase E (microparticles) while mixing with a Silverson at 10K RPM. Test

[00324] The A / O Sunscreen test included determining the sun protection factor (SPF) and light absorbance at different wavelengths. The SPF was determined according to industry standard practice for measuring SPF in vitro. Additional formulations were prepared similar to the above, but without including the zinc oxide dispersion paste (UV filter) in the formulation, to test light absorbance with and without the UV filter present. Light absorbance was measured using a spectrophotometer. The formulations tested and the results are shown in Tables 9 and 10 below. Table 9: In-vitro SPF Results Description SPF Sunscreen base 18 Base with 3% Ex. 2-1 21 Base with 3% silica (Solesphere H-53 from AGC Chemicals) 26 Base with 3% microcrystalline cellulose (SunSpheres Bio SPF Booster from Dow Chemicals) 31 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 105 / 133 / 100 Description: SPF Base with 3% Nylon-12 (Kobo SP-10) 15 Base with 3% PMMA (Kobo MSP-822) 17 Table 10: Absorbance Sunscreen / Foundation 3% Ex.2-1 without UV Foundation 3% Ex. 2-1 with UV filter Test without UV filter with UV filter UV Filter Wavelength (nm) Absorbance Absorbance Absorbance Absorbance 290 0.18 0.14 1.19 1.30 295 0.21 0.18 1.24 1.32 300 0.22 0.19 1.26 1.34 305 0.21 0.19 1.27 1.33 310 0.20 0.18 1.27 1.35 315 0.19 0.17 1.25 1.35 320 0.18 0.16 1.23 1.35 325 0.17 0.15 1.24 1.35 330 0.16 0.14 1.24 1.35 335 0.15 0.14 1.24 1.35 340 0.15 0.13 1.23 1.35 345 0.14 0.12 1.23 1.35 350 0.13 0.12 1.24 1.35 355 0.13 0.11 1.25 1.37 360 0.12 0.11 1.26 1.40 365 0.12 0.10 1.27 1.41 370 0.11 0.10 1.27 1.41 375 0.10 0.10 1.23 1.28 380 0.10 -0.09 1.04 0.91 385 -0.09 -0.09 0.74 0.54 390 0.08 0.08 0.55 0.40 395 0.08 0.08 0.48 0.36 400 0.08 0.07 0.46 0.35

[00325] A review of Tables 9 and 10 reveals that the formulation with Ex. 2-1 microparticles had a higher SPF than the formulations with Nylon-12 or PMMA, and including Ex. 2-1 microparticles increased UV absorption when UV filters were present. Lipstick

[00326] The ingredients used for the preparation of the formulation of Lipsticks are listed in Table 11. Ta bela 11: Lipstick Ingredients Phase Ingredient Description % by weight A Cetiol SN Cetearyl isononanoate 27 A Castor oil Ricinus communis oil 20 A Triglycerides Caprylic / capric triglycerides 16 A Ozokerite Ozokerite 11.6 A Carnauba wax T1 Copernicia cerifera cera 4 A Beeswax Cera alba 5 B SW50R40A Synthetic wax (e) Red 40 Lake (e) Titanium Isopropyl Triisostearate 15 C Euxyl PE 9010 Phenoxyethanol 0.9 C Vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) Tocopherol, Tocopherol acetate 0.5 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 106 / 133 / 100 Lipstick Preparation

[00327] The lipstick formulation was prepared according to the following process: Lipstick base: 1. Heat Part A to 80 °C under the propellant mixture.

[00328] 2. Add part B. Mix for 10 minutes until smooth.

[00329] 3. Add part C. Mix until smooth.

[00330] 4. Let cool. Incorporating different microparticles / powder into the lipstick base:

[00331] 1. Weigh the required amount of lipstick base; 2. Heat Part A to 80 °C under the propellant mixture; 3. Add the microparticles to the melted lipstick base and mix for 10 minutes until combined; 4. Pour the mixture into a lipstick mold and let it cool. Test

[00332] The Lipstick test included determining the lipstick's ability to color a substrate by measuring the color change as a function of the microparticle / powder load. Tested microparticles / powders:

[00333] Lipstick samples were made with loads of 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9% of microparticles / powders incorporated into the lipstick base. The microparticles / powders used are listed in Table 12. Table 12: Microparticles / Powders used in the Lipstick Test________ Microparticle / Powder Description Ex. 2-1 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate KOBO SP-10 Nylon-12 KOBO MSP-822 PMMA Sunsphere H53 Silica KOBO Cellulobeads D10 Cellulose Tapioca starch Starch Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 107 / 133 / 100 Color testing procedure:

[00334] Lipsticks are applied to a silicone substrate (to mimic skin). A consistent application method on substrate samples is used to compare different formulations. The L* a * b* color values ​​of the colored samples are measured with a portable spectrophotometer (Konica Minolta 2600d). From these values, delta L* and delta a * are calculated with 0% load being the initial value. A decreasing L* value reflects the samples becoming darker (or more intensely colored), an increasing delta a * value reflects an increase in red color (the pigment used for the lipstick base is a red40 lake). Coverage uniformity is rated on a scale of 0 to 5 (5 = best color uniformity) by visually assessing the samples. The results are shown in Tables 13 to 15 below. Table 13: Delta L* as a loading function_______________ Microparticle / Powder Delta L* (% Filling) 1 3 6 9 Ex. 2-1 -6.08 -8.74 -10.16 -10.61 KOBO SP-10 -4.88 -7.89 -10.17 -10.10 KOBO MSP-822 -3.05 -5.43 -7.96 -8.13 Sunsphere H53 -4.09 -5.99 -6.98 -7.39 KOBO Cellulobeads D10 -5.46 -10.24 -12.08 -14.13 Tapioca starch -3.54 -4.54 -9.56 -8.71

[00335] A review of Table 13 reveals that the addition of Ex. 2-1 microparticles results in a decrease in delta L* values, similar to Nylon-12, with both materials leading to a darker color of the applied lipstick (or a more intense color and desired effect). The best performance was achieved with 6% loading. Ex. 2-1 performed better compared to silica, PMMA, and starch in color intensity, and cellulose increased color intensity. Table 14: Delta a * as a loading function Microparticle / Powder Delta a* (% Loading) 1 3 6 9 Ex. 2-1 8.49 11.94 13.35 13.67 KOBO SP-10 7.11 10.62 13.11 13.01 KOBO MSP-822 4.67 7.59 10.95 10.49 Sunsphere H53 5.83 8.39 9.55 10.20 KOBO Cellulobeads D10 8.13 13.35 15.05 16.94 tapioca starch 4.90 6.29 12.13 9.89 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pages 108 / 133 / 100

[00336] A review of Table 14 reveals that the addition of Ex. 2-1 microparticles results in an increase in red color (or an increase in delta a* values), similar to Nylon-12. The best performance was achieved with a 6% loading. Ex. 2-1 performed better compared to silica, PMMA, and starch in increasing red color, and cellulose increased red color most significantly. Table 15: Visual Assessment of Coverage Balance .________________ Loading Ex. 2-1 Nylon-12 PMMA Silica Cellulose Starch 1% 4 4 3 4 3 4 3% 4 3 2 4 2 3 6% 4 3 3 4 1 2 9% 4 3 3 4 1 1

[00337] A review of Table 15 reveals that Ex. 2-1 and Silica exhibited the best pigment distribution and coverage uniformity, followed by Nylon-12 and PMMA. Cellulose and Starch exhibited the worst coverage uniformity. Oil / Air Lotion

[00338] The ingredients used for the preparation of a non-polar oil-based simplex O / W lotion formulation are listed in Table 16. Table 16: Ingredients of the A / O Lotion Phase Trade Name INCI % by weight A Cetiol LC Coco caprylate / caprate 5.00% A Squalane Squalane 7.50% A Isododecane Isododecane 7.50% A Lameform TGI Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate 3.00% A Dehymuls PGPH Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate 2.00% A Bentone ISD V Isododecane (and) Distearidinium hectorite (and) Propylene carbonate 6.00% A Euxyl PE9010 Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin 1.00% B Deionized Water Deionized Water 56.00% B Magnesium Sulfate Magnesium Sulfate 1.00% B Sodium Chloride Sodium Chloride 1.00% B Glycerin Glycerin 5.00% E **granules** Microgranules / Microparticles 5.00% Preparation of the A / O Lotion

[00339] The formulation for the A / O lotion was prepared according to the following process: 1. Combine phase A and stir with the suspended mixer (500 Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 109 / 133 / 100 rpm) until homogeneous; 2. Combine phase B and stir until dissolved (using the magnetic stirring bar); 3. Add phase B to phase A while mixing with a high-shear mixer (Ultra Turax mixer, 10k rpm); 4. Homogenize for 5 minutes at 10,000 rpm. Test

[00340] The A / O lotion test included a shine reduction test. Shine reduction was assessed using a BYK micro-TRI shine meter. Sample preparation and shine reduction measurements were performed according to the following procedures.

[00341] 1. Cut out a template to match the bottom of the gloss meter using adhesive tape and adhere it to the bottom of the meter before taking any measurements (to prevent seepage into parts of the meter); 2. Take a sample of the formulation on Leneta paper using a 4 mil square bar, pulling the bar from top to bottom at a constant speed / pressure while lowering the Leneta paper; 3. Measure the gloss at three angles (20°, 60° and 85°) initially and then every 5 minutes for 30 minutes, as high-gloss surfaces with a gloss unit (GU) of 70 or higher should be measured using a 20° angle and semi-gloss surfaces with a GU range of 10-70 should be measured using a 60° angle; 4. After the initial measurement, ensure that the gloss meter is placed back in the same location for subsequent measurements to ensure accurate data, noting that the meter will leave an impression on the extraction film showing where the previous measurement was taken; 5. Take three readings on each sample and obtain an average reading, without moving the brightness meter, and perform 2 reductions per Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 110 / 133 / 100 sample material; 6. For comparison and reporting, use the GU value at a 60° angle and report the data every 30 minutes.

[00342] The gloss reduction values ​​are calculated with 0% filler (or base lotion) as the initial value and the gloss reduction reported as the percentage change (reduction) in GU. The microparticles used in the test formulations and in the gloss reduction are shown in Table 17. Table 17: Shine results for the A / O Lotion_______________________ Microparticles Reduction of brightness (%) Ex. 2-1 85 Cellulose (e) Zinc stearate 54 Nylon-12 31 Boron nitrite 16 Silica 83

[00343] A review of Table 17 reveals that the lotion formulation containing the microparticles from Ex. 2-1 had the greatest reduction in shine. Cellulose ester solubility test

[00344] CE dopes were prepared as shown in TABLE 18 below to determine the solubility of CE, such as cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), Example 1-1, in a solvent system containing ethyl acetate (EA), n-propanol (nPrOH), and water. The preparation of Ex 3-1 is shown below. Preparation of CE Dopes

[00345] The CE dopes were prepared by loading a 250 mL dry-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer with the respective amounts of solvent systems, as shown in Table 18. The solvent systems were stirred and the flask was then loaded with the respective amount / type of CAB. The CAB was loaded into the flask by slowly measuring the solids at a rate such that the stirring vortex was able to move the solid particles into the solvent system without forming a large mass of powder on top of the liquid phase. This Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 111 / 133 / 100 The solvent and CAB mixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes. If the mixture became homogeneous within this time period, the Dope was determined to be soluble. If solid particles remained undissolved in the solvent system after 60 minutes, the Dope was determined to be insoluble.

[00346] In Dopes 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3, the solvent system contained ethyl acetate and n-propanol in varying amounts, but no water. In Dopes 3-1a, 3-2a, and 3-3a, water was added to the solvent system. That is, the solvent systems of Dopes 3-1 and 3-1a, 3-2 and 3-2a, and 3-3 and 3-3a contained the same amount of ethyl acetate and n-propanol, and the only difference between the respective Dopes was the addition of water.

[00347] In Dope 3-4, the amount of CAB contained in the CE dope was increased to match its % CAB by mass to the % CAB by mass of the Dopes that did not contain water (i.e., Dopes 3-1, 3-2 and 3-3). TABLE 18 Dope EA (g) nPrOH (g) Water (g) CAB (g) EtOAc (%) nPrOH (%) Water (%) CAB (%) Solubility 3-1 80.0 5.0 0 15.0 80.0 5.0 0 15.0 NO 3-1a 80.0 5.0 8.0 15.0 74.1 4.6 7.4 13.9 NO 3-2 75.0 10.0 0 15.0 75.0 10.0 0 15.0 NO 3-2a 75.0 10.0 8.0 15.0 69.4 9.3 7.4 13.9 YES 3-3 70.0 15.0 0 15.0 70.0 15.0 0 15.0 NO 3-3a 70.0 15.0 8.0 15.0 64.8 13.9 7.4 13.9 YES 3-4 70.0 15.0 8.0 16.2 64.8 13.9 7.4 15.0 YES

[00348] Notably, the EC dopes that did not contain water were unable to solubilize the EC contained within them. For example, Dope 3-1 yielded a bulky, non-homogeneous mixture, Dopes 3-2 and 3-3 initially yielded fluid, agitable pastes, but became bulky and non-homogeneous after several minutes.

[00349] In comparison, Dope 3-1a provided a fluid, agitated paste, rather than a thick one. Dopes 3-2a and 3-3a provided homogeneous mixtures in which the CE was dissolved in the solvent system within 3 minutes.

[00350] As shown in Dope 3-4, increasing the mass of CE contained in Dope CE also provided a homogeneous mixture in which the CE Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 112 / 133 100 / 100 dissolved in the solvent system in 3 minutes. That is, increasing the % CAB of the CE dope did not appear to negatively impact the solubility of CE in the solvent system. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 113 / 133

Claims

1 / 5 CLAIMS 1. Cosmetic composition, characterized in that it comprises biodegradable microparticles, wherein the biodegradable microparticles comprise a blended cellulose ester, wherein the biodegradable microparticles exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods, wherein the blended cellulose ester comprises - (a) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSac) in the range of 0.1 to 2.3, (b) an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) or an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSbu) in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, and (c) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSoh) in the range of 0.6 to 2.

8.

2. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the cosmetic composition comprises at least 0.5 percent by weight of biodegradable microparticles.

3. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles have an average sphericity of less than 50 percent, wherein the biodegradable microparticles exhibit a monomodal particle size distribution with a spacing of at least 0.5 and / or less than 3.0, and wherein the biodegradable microparticles have a particle size D[4,3] in the range of 1 to 50 microns.

4. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the cosmetic composition is a base, a sunscreen, a lipstick, a mascara, an eyeshadow, a lotion, a dry shampoo, a liquid shampoo, a body lotion, a lotion, a hair conditioner, a skin moisturizer, a facial lotion, a tablet, a foot powder, a baby powder, a shaving cream or a shaving gel.

5. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the cosmetic composition comprises at least 1 and less than 60 percent by weight of at least one cosmetic additive, wherein the at least one cosmetic additive comprises a dye, an oil, a wax, a fatty acid, an alcohol, an ester, a hydrocarbon, a silicone oil, a surfactant, a metallic soap, a moisturizer, a thickener, a UV absorber, an antioxidant, an oil absorbent, an exfoliant, water or a combination thereof.

6. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles have a butyric acid content of less than 100 ppmw, and / or in that the biodegradable microparticles have an acetic acid content of less than 500 ppmw.

7. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the blended cellulose ester exhibits at least 45 percent biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods.

8. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the DSac is from 1.5 to 2.

3.

9. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the DSPr is from 0.1 to less than 0.

5.

10. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the DSbu is from 0.1 to 0.

3.

11. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, page 130 / 133 3 / 5 characterized in that the DSoh is from 0.7 to less than 1.

2.

12. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles comprise at least 75 percent by weight of blended cellulose ester.

13. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles have a polydispersity index of less than 0.8 and a sphericity of at least 10 percent.

14. Cosmetic composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles exhibit an oil absorption of at least 50 mL per 100 g, as measured using the ASTM D281 test method, wherein mineral oil is used instead of castor oil.

15. Cosmetic composition, characterized in that it comprises 0.5 to 15 percent by weight of biodegradable microparticles, wherein the biodegradable microparticles comprise a blended cellulose ester, wherein the biodegradable microparticles exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability in 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods, wherein the biodegradable microparticles have an average BET surface area in the range of 0.1 to 15 m² / g, wherein the blended cellulose ester comprises - (a) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) in the range of 1.5 to 2.3, (b) an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) in the range of 0.1 to 0.3, and (c) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents. 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, p. 131 / 133 4 / 5 (DSOH) in the range of 0.7 to 1.

1.

16. Cosmetic composition according to claim 23, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles consist essentially of mixed cellulose ester.

17. Process for forming a cosmetic composition, the process being characterized in that it comprises: (a) providing a plurality of biodegradable microparticles comprising a blended cellulose ester, wherein the biodegradable microparticles exhibit at least 50 percent biodegradability within 60 days according to at least one of the OECD 301B, OECD 301C or OECD 301F test methods, wherein the blended cellulose ester comprises - (i) an average degree of substitution by acetyl substituents (DSAc) in the range of 1.5 to 2.3, (ii) an average degree of substitution by propionyl substituents (DSPr) or an average degree of substitution by butyryl substituents (DSBu) in the range of 0.1 to 0.3, and (iii) an average degree of substitution by hydroxyl substituents (DSOH) in the range of 0.7 to 1.1; and (b) combine the biodegradable microparticles with one or more cosmetic additives to thereby form a pre-cosmetic mixture;and (c) forming the cosmetic composition from the pre-cosmetic mixture, wherein the cosmetic composition comprises at least 2 percent by weight of biodegradable microparticles.

18. Process according to claim 26, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles are produced by jet milling and have an average sphericity in the range of 5 to 30 percent. Petition 870250084745, dated 09 / 19 / 2025, pp. 132 / 133 5 / 5 19. Process according to claim 27, characterized in that the cosmetic composition is a base, a sunscreen, a lipstick, a mascara, an eyeshadow, a lotion, a dry shampoo, a liquid shampoo, a body lotion, a lotion, a hair conditioner, a skin moisturizer, a facial lotion, a tablet, a foot powder, a baby powder, a shaving cream or a shaving gel.

20. Process according to claim 28, characterized in that the biodegradable microparticles have an average particle size D[4,3] in the range of 1 to 10 microns. Petition 870250084745, dated 19 / 09 / 2025, p. 133 / 133

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