Agrogenic thermoplastic compositions

Abstract

An agrogenic thermoplastic composition based on raw materials of agrogenic origin, in particular on roasted chicory root, optionally a heteropolysaccharide, and optionally a hydrocolloid, is produced through twin screw extrusion and are used for producing shaped biodegradable articles which are free of man-made or synthetically altered materials. These agrogenic thermoplastic compositions can be letdown in more traditional biobased thermoplastics to create compositions with improved mechanical properties.

Description

AGROGENIC THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 615,826 filed December 29, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to compositions and methods for making and using agrogenic thermoplastic composition which are wholly or substantially based on raw materials of agrogenic origin. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to agrogenic thermoplastic compositions which are created through extrusion and further processed into specific articles through molding. These compositions have an advantage over existing thermoplastic compositions since they are based wholly, or in majority, on raw materials of agrogenic origin.BACKGROUND

[0003] The industrial sector concerned with biopolymers is enjoying constantly increasing interest, due primarily to environmental factors.

[0004] Biopolymers, such as polysaccharides and proteins, are biocompatible materials and as such have the great advantage of fundamentally good biodegradability and biocompatibility. There are increasing reports of natural hydrophilic polymers (polysaccharides and proteins) being used in conjunction with biodegradable plastics for a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications and this is leading to considerable efforts to process compositions of this type, including thermoplastic starch compositions, using known plastics-processing techniques, e.g. injection molding or extrusion. However, productsproduced in this way, such as moldings or films, frequently have inadequate mechanical properties, for example insufficient modulus, and there is also frequently a lack of cost- effective starting materials to produce these types of agrogenic thermoplastic compositions.

[0005] Limited improvements can be made by modifying the biopolymers chemically. There are many and varied reactions used to modify, for example, starch. These include reactive extrusions, oxidative processes, polymer-analogous reactions, crosslinking reactions, and enzymatic modification. Even if these improvements are successful, they may also result in negative environmental consequences through the introduction of functionalities which are either hazardous or environmentally recalcitrant.

[0006] Further processing of biopolymer mixtures is often accomplished through conventional polymer-processing technology, most commonly melt processing of the thermoplastic composition (e.g. injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, coextrusion or extrusion with blowing). To achieve utility in these conventional polymer-processing techniques, the biopolymer compositions have a fundamental requirement of thermoplastic behavior.

[0007] Traditionally, substances are added to synthetic polymers to achieve the basic thermoplastic requirement, and modulation of the identities and loading levels of these substances gives rise to improvements in mechanical, thermal, electronic, or rheological behaviors. Indeed, there is a global proliferation of these types of traditional thermoplastic compositions, a vast majority of which are persistent in the environment. However, there are very limited reports of such compositions which exhibit thermoplastic behavior which are not based wholly, or in part on traditional thermoplastic polymers. In one such report WO2016093685A1, which is here by incorporated by reference in its entirety, Ortiz discloses the use of solution methods to create a biodegradable thermoplastic plastic material based onthe mucilaginous juice of vegetable origin.

[0008] Materials such as paper, paperboard, polymer resins, and metals are presently used in enormous quantity in printed materials and labels, and in the manufacture of other singleuse articles such as containers, separators, dividers, utensils, cutlery, lids, tops, closures, cans and bottles, and other packaging materials.

[0009] Single-use articles like containers and other packaging materials protect goods from environmental influences and damage, particularly from chemical and physical influences. These single-use articles serve to protect an enormous variety of goods from light, microorganisms, gases, moisture, vermin, physical damage, vibration, leaking, or spilling. Some of these single-use articles also provide a means to relay information to the consumer such as the origin and date of manufacture, contents, advertising, instructions, brand identification, and possibly pricing.

[0010] Typically, single-use articles are made from paper, paperboard, polymer resins, or more occasionally glass or metal materials. Each year over 100 billion aluminum cans, billions of plastic or glass bottles and thousands of tons of paper and polymer resins are used in storing, dispensing, and serving consumer goods like soft drinks, juices, processed foods, grains, beer, etc. Outside of the food and beverage industry, single-use articles like packaging containers and utensils made from such materials are ubiquitous.

[0011] Although there is significant debate as to which of these materials is most damaging to the environment many organizations have convinced many people to substitute one material for another in order to be more green, sustainable, or environmentally responsible and conscientious. The debate often misses the point that each material has its own unique environmental weaknesses in that one material may appear superior to another when viewed in light of a particular environmental problem, while ignoring different problems associated withthe supposedly preferred material. For example, paper is far more biodegradable than commodity polymers, but paper manufacturing is far more polluting to the environment.

[0012] While it is an important discussion regarding which of these materials is more, or less, harmful to the environment alternative materials can be developed from renewable raw materials, or better yet raw materials which are by-products of existing agricultural processes, which will solve various environmental problems associated with each of these presently used materials.

[0013] Based on the foregoing, what are needed are agrogenic thermoplastic compositions, and methods for manufacturing environmentally friendly articles having mechanical properties similar to, e.g., paperboard, other thermoplastic materials.

[0014] It would be an improvement in the art if such agrogenic thermoplastic compositions allowed for the formation of a variety of articles using existing manufacturing equipment and techniques presently used to form articles from paper, polymer films, or moldable plastic materials.

[0015] It would be a further advancement in the art if such environmentally friendly agrogenic thermoplastic compositions could be formed from compositions that are only agrogenic (e.g. natural) sources.

[0016] It would be an additional significant improvement in the art if such agrogenic thermoplastic compositions yielded articles that were readily biodegradable and / or degradable into substances commonly found in the earth (e.g. minimal environmental footprint).

[0017] From a practical point of view, it would be a significant improvement to provide agrogenic thermoplastic compositions and methods which allowed for the manufacture of sheets, containers, and other articles at a cost that was comparable to or even lower than the cost of existing methods of manufacturing articles from paper, plastics, or other materials.

[0018] It would be a further advancement in the art to provide agrogenic thermoplastic compositions and methods which allow for the inclusion of less synthetic organic polymer materials.

[0019] It would also be a tremendous advancement in the art to provide agrogenic thermoplastic compositions which allow for the optional inclusion of inorganic filler(s), fibrous material(s) to modify and tailor resulting properties.

[0020] In addition to these benefits, it would be an advancement in the art to provide agrogenic thermoplastic compositions which may be incorporated into more traditional thermoplastic materials (e.g. biobased polyesters) to improve physical properties, such modulus of elasticity.

[0021] As a naturally occurring polysaccharide, fructans are plentiful and renewable, raw materials of agrogenic origin and found in more than 36,000 species of plants and in many cases are left unrefined during food processing. A subset of fructans, namely fructooligosaccharides (“FOS”), are short chain polysaccharides which have a low degree of polymerization of typically 3-10 repeat fructose units. Inulin is an example of a fructooligosaccharide. However, these water-soluble dietary fibers (fructans, FOS, and more specifically inulin), are a readily usable energy source for many biota and therefore it is easily biodegradable and will not persist in the environment as a harmful material when disposed. Perhaps the only environmental harm from releasing inulin would be the discharge of unwanted nutrients into the water or soil into which it is discarded, which could attract and facilitate the proliferation of certain unwanted organisms. It is this quality as a nutrient, though, that greatly facilitates the breakdown and elimination of fructans and FOS from the environment.

[0022] Herein we report agrogenic thermoplastic compositions which are based wholly or substantially on raw materials of agrogenic origin.SUMMARY

[0023] One objective of this disclosure is to provide an agrogenic thermoplastic composition based wholly on raw materials of agrogenic origin, which has thermoplastic properties, and permits the production of shaped articles, additionally with improved mechanical properties.

[0024] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a process for preparing agrogenic thermoplastic compositions for extrudates or pelletized materials.

[0025] In a non-obvious extension of patent US 10,435,576, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, on saccharides, the presence of an effective amount of inulin (e.g. from roasted chicory root or refined) can result in a composition which exhibits thermoplastic behavior.

[0026] Due to its chemical nature, roasted chicory root and its refined counterpart inulin, can yield agrogenic thermoplastic composition themselves and may also be letdown into other biogenic thermoplastic materials, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), with improved properties.

[0027] These agrogenic thermoplastic compositions are capable of being manufactured and formed using conventional polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, injection molding, and 3D printing.

[0028] This disclosure therefore consists primarily in the use of roasted chicory root, and inulin, to create agrogenic thermoplastic compositions and modify the properties thereof through the use of other additives of natural origin such as peptides, hydrocolloids, polysaccharides, or heteropolysaccharides. Although inulin is common in the environment, there appears to be minimal technical consideration to using it as an agrogenic thermoplastic composition, or as a modifier of thermoplastic compositions in which biopolymers are present.

[0029] Another advantage of the present disclosure, besides the improvements mentioned, is that a rational use is provided for a renewable agricultural resource and wholly sustainable agrogenic thermoplastic composition.

[0030] Agrogenic thermoplastic compositions, including at least one raw material of agrogenic origin which is processable using a melt processing technique, optionally at least one heteropolysaccharide, and optionally at least one hydrocolloid, can solve several problems: such compositions are wholly based on renewable and sustainable raw materials, they may be processed through standard polymer process techniques, they may be converted to articles through various standard thermoforming processes, they have little to no persistent synthetic chemicals, and they are entirely biodegradable.

[0031] Additionally, agrogenic thermoplastic compositions can be combined with one or more traditional polymers to create compositions which require less man-made / synthetic chemicals, are more sustainable, have significantly lowered environmental consequences, exhibit improved biodegradability, improved mechanical properties, and enhanced rheological properties.

[0032] In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition includes at least one melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin, optionally at least one heteropolysaccharide, optionally at least one hydrocolloid, optionally at least one fiber of agrogenic origin, and optionally at least one mineral filler, and optionally at least one plasticizing agent of agrogenic origin. The melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin and optional additional additives can be combined using conventional melt processing techniques such as twin-screw extrusion.

[0033] In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition comprises at least one raw material of agrogenic origin containing a melt processable polysaccharide and, optionally, at least one additive of agrogenic origin. The melt processable polysaccharide canbe inulin and / or fructo-oligosaccharides.

[0034] In one embodiment, the agrogenic thermoplastic composition can be industrially compostable by EN 13432 (Packaging: requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation) or ASTM D6400 (Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities), home compostable by AS 5810 (Biodegradable plastics - Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting) or NF T 51-800 (Technical Specifications for Plastics Suitable for Home Composting), and marine biodegradable by ASTM D6691 (Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum) or ISO 16221 (Water quality — Guidance for determination of biodegradability in the marine environment) or OECD 306 (Biodegradability in Seawater).

[0035] The above summary is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation. The detailed description that follows more particularly exemplifies illustrative embodiments.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] FIG. 1 is an image of the strands of agrogenic thermoplastic composition which have been collected from the extrusion process before they were pelletized.

[0037] FIG. 2 is an image of a pelletized agrogenic thermoplastic composition.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an image of the injection molded agrogenic thermoplastic composition articles.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Unless the context indicates otherwise the following terms shall have the following meaning and shall be applicable to the singular and plural:

[0040] The terms “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition including “an” agrogenic thermoplastic composition means that the agrogenic thermoplastic composition may include “one or more” raw material of agrogenic origin.

[0041] The terms “agrogenic”, refers to a raw material, product, by-product, or feedstock which is produced or brought about by plants or animals.

[0042] The term “agrogenic origin” means a material naturally occurring or isolated (e.g., extracted) from a material that is naturally occurring that is not chemically altered from its naturally occurring or isolated state.

[0043] The term “agrogenic thermoplastic composition” refers to a composition that includes at least one raw materials of agrogenic origin that can be processed through a melt processing technique, and can optionally include additives of agrogenic origin such as heteropolysaccharides, hydrocolloids, fibers of agrogenic origin, or minerals.

[0044] The term “composition” refers to a multicomponent material.

[0045] The term “copolymer” refers to a polymer derived, actually (e.g., by copolymerization) or conceptually, from more than one species of monomer. A copolymer obtained from two monomer species is sometimes called a bipolymer; a copolymer obtained from three monomers is sometimes called a terpolymer; a copolymer obtained from four monomers is sometimes called a quatrapolymer; etc. A copolymer can be characterized based on the arrangement of branches in the structure, including, e.g., as a linear copolymer and a branch copolymer. A copolymer can also be characterized based on how the monomer units are arranged, including, e.g., as an alternating copolymer, a periodic copolymer, a statistical copolymer, a graft copolymer, and a block copolymer.

[0046] The term “feedstock” refers to the form of a material that can be utilized in amanufacturing process. Non-limiting feedstock examples include pellets, powders, billets, liquids, sheets, shaped profiles, etc.

[0047] The term “heteropolysaccharide” refers to a polysaccharide whose backbone consists of two or more types of monosaccharides linked together through glycosidic bonds.

[0048] The term “homopolysaccharide” refers to a polysaccharide whose backbone consists of only one type of monosaccharide linked together through glycosidic bonds.

[0049] The term “hydrocolloid” refers to a substance which forms a gel in the presence of water (e.g. starch, various gums, alginate, alginic acid salts, pectins, carrageenan, gelatin, and agar).

[0050] The term “melt processing technique” refers to a technique for applying thermal and mechanical energy to reshape, blend, mix, or otherwise reform a composition, such as compounding, extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, rotomolding, or batch mixing. 3D printing processes that are useful in printing thermoplastic and elastomeric melt processable materials are additional examples of a melt processing technique.

[0051] The term “mixing” means to combine or put together to form one single substance, mass, phase, composite, dispersion, or more homogenous state. This may include, but is not limited to, all physical blending methods, extrusion techniques, or solution methods.

[0052] The term “multilayer construction” refers to an article whose surface has been coated or treated with more than one layer of secondary material. Successive layers do not necessarily need to be the same material.

[0053] The terms “peptide” or “polypeptide” refer to a compound consisting of 2 to 100 amino acids linked in a chain with the carboxyl group of one acid covalently bonded to the amine group of the neighboring amino acid to form an amide bond (e.g. a peptide bond).

[0054] The terms “polymer” and “polymeric” refer to a molecule of high relative molecularmass, the structure of which essentially contains multiple repetitions of units derived, actually or conceptually, from molecules of low relative molecular mass (monomers). The term “polymer” can refer to a “copolymer.”

[0055] The term “polysaccharide” refers to a carbohydrate whose molecules consist of a number of monosaccharides linked together through glycosidic bonds.

[0056] The term “rheology” refers to the plastic flow of solids under stress, and results in a deformation which is permanent and persistent after the stress is removed.

[0057] The term “thermoplastic” refers to a material that exhibits a change in rheology (e.g. melting) at elevated temperature such as melt processing.

[0058] The term “traditional thermoplastic” refers to all polymers which are composed of man-made ingredients and created through industrially synthetic processes.

[0059] The recitation of numerical ranges using endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 3, 3.95, 4.2, 5, etc.).

[0060] The agrogenic thermoplastic compositions of the present disclosure comprise at least one raw material of agrogenic origin. In other embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition additionally employs a variety of additional additives, which can enhance processability, the melt phase rheology, or the mechanical properties of the resulting agrogenic thermoplastic composition, or other desirable attributes. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition can form a powder, granulate, pellet, or filament feedstock.

[0061] In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition includes at least one melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin, optionally at least one heteropolysaccharide, optionally at least one hydrocolloid, optionally at least one fiber of agrogenic origin, and optionally at least mineral filler, and optionally at least one plasticizing agent of agrogenic origin. The melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin and optional additional additivescan be combined using conventional melt processing techniques such as twin-screw extrusion.

[0062] A variety of raw materials of agrogenic origin may be employed in an agrogenic thermoplastic composition. The raw material of agrogenic origin contains a melt processable polysaccharide. The polysaccharide which leads to melt processability of the agrogenic thermoplastic composition can be inulin. Inulin is a homopolysaccharide because its backbone is comprised of fructose monomers, with a glucose end cap. A majority of polysaccharides are not melt processable (without significant degradation), inulin is an exception. Chicory root contains a very high fraction of inulin, and inulin is what can lead to successful melt processability of the agrogenic thermoplastic composition. Non-limiting examples include red cactus powder, green cactus powder, beet root powder, kelp powder, wheatgrass powder, roasted chicory root, chicory root, banana powder, carrot powder, sweet potato powder, cabbage powder, wheat gluten, zein, and jerusalum artichoke powder. The raw material of agrogenic origin can be substantially roasted or dried. In some embodiments, the raw material of agrogenic origin includes roasted chicory root, sold commercially by Monterey Herb Company.

[0063] A variety of additives of agrogenic origin may optionally be employed in an agrogenic thermoplastic composition. Non-limiting examples of additives of agrogenic origin include heteropolysaccharides, hydrocolloids, plasticizing agent, filler, lubricants, waxes, fibers of agrogenic origin, or minerals. Additives of agrogenic origin may be hydrophobic. Fillers may be, but not limited to, a fiber of agrogenic origin or mineral, or combination thereof. A hydrophobic additive of agrogenic origin may be, but not limited to, shellac, a wax, or combination thereof.

[0064] A variety of heteropolysaccharides may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of heteropolysaccharides include peptidoglycan(murein), agarose, agropectin, pectin, fruit pectin, glycosaminoglycans. In some embodiments, the heteropolysaccharide includes fruit pectin, sold commercially as fruit pectin mix by AllBulkFoods.

[0065] A variety of hydrocolloids may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of hydrocolloids include alginate, alginic acid, pectin, carrageenan, agar, xanthan gum, gelatin, guar gum, arabic gum, locust bean gum, natural gum, alginic acid salts, pullulan, and chitosan. In some embodiments, the hydrocolloid includes gelatin, sold commercially by Howdy Brewer.

[0066] A variety of plasticizing agents may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of plasticizing agents include glycerin, glycerol, ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glycol (TEG), tetraethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG), propylene glycol (PPG), water, organically modified esters of; citric acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and trimellitic acid.

[0067] A variety of lubricants may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of lubricants include stearic acid, waxes, fatty acids, vegetable oils, lecithin, and polyethylene glycol (PEG).

[0068] A variety of fibers of agrogenic origin may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of fibers of agrogenic origin include cotton, wool, jute, silk, sisal, ramie, hemp, flax, wood pulp, oat hulls, wood flour, linen, bamboo, mohair, coir, and kenaf.

[0069] A variety of minerals may be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. Non-limiting examples of mineral fillers include talc, wollastonite, asbestos, 1 : 1 phyllosilicates, 2: 1 phyllosilicates, 2: 1 : 1 phyllosilicates, mica, montmorillonite, smectite clays,metal oxides, volcanic ash, basalt, hectorite, chain silicates such as sepiolite and palygorskite, and zeolites.

[0070] A variety of different loading levels of raw materials of agrogenic origin and heteropolysaccharides, and hydrocolloids can be employed in agrogenic thermoplastic compositions. In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may, for example, include at least about 65 wt% melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin, or at least about 85 wt% melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin, or at least about 90 wt% melt processable raw material of agrogenic origin. In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may, for example, include between 5 to 15 wt% of a heteropolysaccharide. In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may, for example, include between 5 to 15 wt% of a hydrocolloid. In some embodiments, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may optionally include, for example, 0 to 5 wt% of a plasticizing agent.

[0071] Agrogenic thermoplastic compositions can be thermally stable at processing conditions of 100 °C, of 125 °C, or of 150 °C. The agrogenic thermoplastic compositions of this disclosure may include additional additives to impart additional functionality. Nonlimiting examples of suitable additional additives include stabilizers, carbohydrates, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, secondary antioxidants, fibers, blowing agents, foaming additives, antiblocking agents, heat reflective materials, heat stabilizers, impact modifiers, biocides, antimicrobial additives, compatibilizers, plasticizing agents, tackifiers, processing aids, slip agents, coupling agents, thermal conductors, electrical conductors, catalysts, flame retardants, oxygen scavengers, fluorescent tags, fillers, minerals, metals, moisture and colorants. Additional additives may be incorporated into an agrogenic thermoplastic composition as a powder, liquid, pellet, granule, or in any other extrudable form. The amount and type ofconventional additional additives in an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may vary depending upon the desired properties of the finished composition. In view of this disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that an additional additive and its amount can be selected in order to achieve desired properties in the finished material. Typical additional additive loading levels may be, for example, approximately 0.01 to 20 wt% of the composition formulation.

[0072] In another embodiment, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may itself be used as an additive in a traditional thermoplastic composition. When used as an additive in traditional thermoplastic composition, agrogenic thermoplastic compositions may impart specific mechanical properties which may be advantageous to those skilled in the art to tailor properties for specific end-use articles. Fillers can function to improve mechanical and thermal properties of the polymeric material. Non-limiting examples of fillers are mineral and organic fillers including carbonates, silicates, talc, mica, wollastonite, clay, silica, alumina, carbon black, graphite, volcanic ash, expanded volcanic ash, perlite, and conventional cellulosic materials including: wood flour, wood fibers, sawdust, wood shavings, newsprint, paper, flax, hemp, wheat straw, rice hulls, kenaf, jute, sisal, peanut shells, soy hulls, or any cellulose containing material. The amount of filler in an agrogenic thermoplastic composition after melt processing is typically between 1 to 40 wt%. In another embodiment, the filler loading level is between 1 to 30 wt%. In yet another embodiment, the filler loading level is between 1 to 10 wt%.

[0073] In yet another embodiment, an agrogenic thermoplastic composition may include additives which induce some degree of hydrophobicity or water resistance. Non-limiting examples of these include shellac, natural waxes, fatty acids, pine gum rosin, and oils.

[0074] Agrogenic thermoplastic compositions, or traditional thermoplastic compositionscontaining agrogenic thermoplastic compositions can be converted to specific end use articles through a variety of conversion techniques. Non-limited conversion methods may include injection molding, blow molding, rotomolding, melt spinning, compression molding, pultrusion, profile extrusion, and additive manufacturing (3D printing).

[0075] Articles of agrogenic thermoplastic compositions, or traditional thermoplastic compositions containing agrogenic thermoplastic compositions, may be surface treated to induce moisture resistance. These coatings may be applied as an organic solvent-based solution, aqueous solution, vapor, or as a powder. Multiple coatings may be necessary to impart moisture resistance or hydrophobicity to the article. Coatings in these multilayer constructions may have successive coatings which are the same, or successive layers may be different materials. Non-limiting examples of surface treatment methods include dip coating, spray coating, curtain coating, and vapor deposition. Non-limiting examples of surface coating materials may include waxes, fatty acids, pine gum rosin, organosilanes, epoxides, and azeridines. Such coated articles exhibit improved resistance to moisture uptake and increased disintegration times in aqueous media. The multilayer construction is resistant to moisture uptake for more than two hours at room temperature.

[0076] Agrogenic thermoplastic compositions and traditional composition including such compositions have broad utility in a number of industries, including, but not limited to, packaging, build and construction, single-use consumer products, and agricultural. These compositions may be converted to articles through standard thermoforming processes such as additive manufacturing, injection molding, and profile extrusion. These compositions and articles can provide significant value to plastics compounders and converters for sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions. The disclosed compositions and articles offer wholly sustainable compositions with tunable rheological and mechanical properties. Non-limiting examples of articles produced from such compositions include, but are not limited to; straws, plates, utensils, agricultural films, agricultural pots, construction materials, and a wide range of single use consumer products.

[0077] In the following examples, all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.EXAMPLESTABLE 1: AGROGENIC THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION MATERIALSTABLE 2: EXPERIMENTAL FORMULATIONSSAMPLE PREPARATION: FORMULATIONS 1-1 thru 1-25

[0078] Formulations 1-1 thru 1-25 were prepared according to the weight ratios in Table 2. Raw materials were gravimetrically fed, using separate feeders, into a 27 mm co-rotating twin screw extruder (52: 1 L:D, commercially available from Entek, Lebanon, Oregon, United States). Compounding operations were performed using the following temperature profile in zone 1 (throat) at 50 to 90 °F; zone 2 at 100 to 150 °F; zone 3 at 200 to 215 °F; zones 4 thru 13 at 225 to 250 °F; respectively, and a die temperature of 250 to 270 °F. The extruder’s screw speed was about 100 rpm, and the output rate was about 30 Ibs / hr. Die pressures were recorded at 175 to 300 psi, with extruder torque readings ranging from 20 to 45%. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition mixture was extruded onto an air-cooled belt conveyor, pelletized using a Bullet model 62 pelletizer available from Maag Group, Oberglatt, Switzerland, into approximately 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm cylindrical pellets, and collected in an aluminized bag.

[0079] Samples for testing were created through injection molding on an Arburg 70C Allrounder Gold Edition hydraulic injection molder. Barrel temperatures ranging from 120 to155 °C, and mold temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 °C, with an injection pressure of 15,000 to 20,000 psi, and a cooling time of 40 to 60 seconds.TRADITIONAL THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITIONSTABLE 3: TRADITIONAL THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITION MATERIALSTABLE 4: EXPERIMENTAL FORMULATIONSSAMPLE PREPARATION: FORMULATIONS 2-1 thru 2-11

[0080] Each of Formulations 2-1 thru 2-11 were prepared according to the weight ratios inTable 4. Formulations 2-1 thru 2-11 were gravimetrically fed, using separate feeders, into a 27 mm co-rotating twin screw extruder (52: 1 L:D, commercially available from Leistritz Extrusion Technologies, Allendale, New lersey, United States). Compounding operations for formulations 2-1 thru 2-11 were performed using the following temperature profile in zone 1 at 270 to 290 °F; zones 2 thru 4 at 325 to 340 °F; zone 5 at 300 to 325 °F; zones 6 thru 7 at 285 to 305 °F; zones 8 thru 9 at 270 to 300 °F; respectively and a die temperature of 270 to 300 °F. The extruder’s screw speed was about 200 rpm, and the output rate was about 30 Ibs / hr. Extruder torque readings ranged from 15 to 35%. The composite mixture was extruded andthe strand, as seen in FIG. 1, was deposited onto an air-cooled belt conveyor, pelletized using a Bullet model 62 pelletizer available from Maag Group, Oberglatt, Switzerland, into approximately 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm cylindrical pellets, as seen in FIG. 2, and collected in an aluminized bag.

[0081] As seen in FIG. 3, injection molded articles for testing were created through injection molding on an Arburg 70C Allrounder Gold Edition hydraulic injection molder. Barrel temperatures ranging from 140 to 170 °C, and mold temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 °C, with an injection pressure of 15,000 to 20,000 psi, and a cooling time of 50 to 75 seconds. MELT FLOW INDEX CHARACTERIZATION

[0082] Melt flow index (MFI) tests were performed on Formulations 1-1 thru 1-11, 1-13 thru 1-15, and 2-1 thru 2-11 using a Melt Flow Indexer (Commercially available from Ray- Ran, Warwick, United Kingdom). Formulations 1-1 thru 1-11, and 2-1 thru 2-11 were analyzed at 135 °C, using a 21.6 kg weight. Formulations 1-13 thru 1-15 were analyzed at 120 °C, using a 21.6 kg weight. Table 5 shows the results of this MFI testing. TABLE 5: MELT FLOW INDEXES FOR FORMULATIONS 1-1 thru 1-15, and 2-1 thru 2-11IMPACT CHARACTERIZATION

[0083] IZOD Impact (notched and unnotched) were performed on formulations 1-1 thru 1- 15, and 2-1 thru 2-11 using a Tinius Olsen IT 503 (commercially available from Tinius Olsen, Redhill, United Kingdom). The formulations were injection molded using Arburg All-Rounder 70C into ASTM D790 standard flex bars with measured dimensions of 3.175mm thickness, 12.7mm width, and 127.0 mm length. Impact samples were excised from the flex bars into approximately 50mm specimen length. For IZOD notched testing, the excised samples were notched in accordance with ASTM specifications using a Tinius Olsen Automatic Specimen Notcher (commercially available from Tinius Olsen, Redhill, United Kingdom). Notched and unnotched samples were mounted and tested in accordance with ASTM D256 (Notched IZOD Impact) and ASTM D4812 (Unnotched IZOD Impact). Table 6 shows the results of this characterization, specifically room temperature notched and unnotched IZOD Impact performance. TABLE 6: NOTCHED AND UNNOTCHED IZOD IMPACT PERFORMANCE FOR FORMULATIONS 1-1 thru 1-15 and 2-1 thru 2-11.TENSILE CHARACTERIZATION

[0084] Tensile tests were performed on formulations 1-1 thru 1-15, and 2-1 thru 2-11 using an MTS Universal Testing Machine (commercially available from MTS, Eden Prairie, Minnesota). The formulations were injection molded using Arburg All-Rounder 70C into ASTM D638 Type I tensile parts. The samples were placed into the tensile tester clamps and analyzed at a rate of 50 mm / min, and elongation was recorded using an electronic extensometer. Table 7 shows the results of this characterization, specifically Tensile Modulus, Tensile Strength, and Tensile Elongation at Yield. TABLE 7: TENSILE TESTING RESULTS FOR FORMULATIONS 1-1 thru 1-15, and 2-1 thru 2-11

[0085] Having thus described particular embodiments, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the teachings found herein may be applied to yet other embodiments within the scope of the claims hereto attached.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An agrogenic thermoplastic composition comprising: at least one raw material of agrogenic origin containing a melt processable polysaccharide; and optionally, at least one additive of agrogenic origin.

2. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the melt processable polysaccharide include inulin, and / or fructo-oligosaccharides.

3. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the raw material of agrogenic origin is, or is extracted from, chicory root, carrot, beet root, cactus, or Jerusalem artichoke, or a combination thereof.

4. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 3, wherein the raw material of agrogenic origin is substantially roasted or dried.

5. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more additional additives.

6. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the additive of agrogenic origin is a plasticizing agent.

7. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the additive of agrogenic origin is a filler.

8. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the additive of agrogenic origin is a lubricant.

9. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the additive of agrogenic origin is hydrophobic.

10. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the additive of agrogenic origin is a hydrocolloid.

11. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 6, wherein the plasticizing agent is glycerin, or water, or combination thereof.

12. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 7, wherein the filler is a fiber of agrogenic origin or mineral, or combination thereof.

13. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 8, wherein the lubricant is stearic acid, a wax, lecithin, or combination thereof.

14. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 9, wherein the hydrophobic additive of agrogenic origin is shellac, a wax, or combination thereof.

15. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 10, wherein the hydrocolloid may be selected from pectin, gelatin, agar, carrageenan, alginate, xanthan gum, guar gum, arabic gum, pullulan, chitosan, or combination thereof.

16. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition is industrially compostable by EN 13432 (Packaging: requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation) or ASTM D6400 (Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities), home compostable by AS 5810 (Biodegradable plastics - Biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting) or NF T 51-800 (Technical Specifications for Plastics Suitable for Home Composting), and marine biodegradable by ASTM D6691 (Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum) or ISO 16221(Water quality — Guidance for determination of biodegradability in the marine environment) or OECD 306 (Biodegradability in Seawater).

17. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 2, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition is thermally stable at processing conditions of 100 °C.

18. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 2, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition is thermally stable at processing conditions of 125 °C.

19. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 2, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition is thermally stable at processing conditions of 150 °C.

20. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 1, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition is an additive in a traditional thermoplastic composition.

21. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 2, wherein the agrogenic thermoplastic composition forms a powder, granulate, pellet, or filament feedstock.

22. The agrogenic thermoplastic composition of claim 2 is an article.

23. The article of claim 22, is treated with a hydrophobic additive of agrogenic origin comprising shellac, a wax, or combination thereof.

24. The article of claim 22, may be coated multiple times to create a multilayer construction.

25. The multilayer construction of claim 24, wherein the multilayer construction is resistant to moisture uptake for more than two hours at room temperature.

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