Polymer compositions containing destructurized starch

• US 5,095,054 A
• Filed: 06/18/1990
• Issued: 03/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Novamont S.p.a.
• Original Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Rehm, Johannes, Thoma, Markus, Lay, Gustav, Stepto, Robert F., Sachetto, Jean-Pierre, Lentz, David J., Silbiger, Jakob
• Primary Examiner(s): Nutter, Nathan M.
• Application Number:
  US07/539,846
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 524/47, 524/52, 524/53, 264/328.14, 424/451, 427/2
• US Class Current: 524/47
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/10 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: C08B 31/04 of organic acids , e.g. alkenyl-succinated starch
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 29/04 Polyvinyl alcohol; Partially hydrolysed homopolymers or copolymers of esters of unsaturated alcohols with saturated carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 3/02 Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 31/04 Homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl acetate

Abstract

A thermoplastic polymer composition comprising:

(a) a destructurized starch, and either

(b) an effective amount of at least one compound selected from the following: (1) a polymer which contains at least two different types of functional groups, one of said types of these groups being hydroxyl groups; (2) at least one polymer which does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers which contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule one type of these groups being carboxylate groups; (3) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers which contain tertiary amino groups and/or salts thereof and/or quaternary ammonium groups; (4) at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides which have been chemically modified to contain added hydroxyalkyl groups and/or contain alkyl ether groups, and/or contain ester groups; (5) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone; (6) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides; (7) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides; (8) at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units as are obtained by copolymerization of vinyl esters, preferably vinyl acetate, with unsaturated monomers containing no functional group with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group; (9) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives; (10) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers; (11) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymers, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof; and (12) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers which contain carboxylic groups which partially or wholly are present in the form of their salts and wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups; or

(c) At least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer. combinations of (a), (b) and (c) are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A composition of matter capable of being formed into articles having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch; and

(b) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefines, vinylpolymers, polyacetals (POM), polycondensates, thermoplastic polyesters, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene therephthalates), polyarylethers, thermoplastic polymides, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), high molecular weight essentially water-insoluble polyalkylene oxides and copolymers and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polyisobutylenes, polypropylenes, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly (vinyl acetates), polyvinylalcohols, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles (PAN), polyvinylcarbazols (PVK), polyamides (PA), essentially water-insoluble poly (acrylic acid esters) and essentially water-insoluble poly (methacrylic acid esters) and their copolymers and mixtures thereof.

4. The composition of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate-copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid-copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate-copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methyl acrylate-copolymers (EMA), ABS-copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile-copolymers (SAN), polyacetals and mixtures thereof.

5. The composition of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the ratio of destructurized starch to synthetic polymer is 0.1:

99.9 to 99.9;

0.1, and wherein the starch is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the entire composition.

6. The composition of claims 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the ratio of the synthetic polymer to the starch/water component is about 0.5-5% to about 99.5-95% by weight.

7. The composition of claim 5 wherein said starch is selected from the group consisting of chemically essentially non-modified starch being carbohydrates of natural, vegetable origin composed mainly of amylose, amylopectin and mixtures thereof, physically modified starch, starch with a modified acid value (pH), starch in which the divalent ions bridging the phosphate groups have been eliminated and the eliminated ions have been replaced partially or wholly by the same or different mono- or polyvalent ions, pre-extruded starches, chemically modified starches, biologically modified starches and mixtures thereof.

8. The composition of claim 7 wherein said composition is heated in a closed volume for a time sufficient to effect destructurization and at a temperature within the range of about 105°

C. to about 190°

C.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein pressure is applied in the range of from about zero to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the starch has a water content in the range of about 10 to about 20% by weight of the starch/water component.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the starch/ synthetic polymer mixture contains a material selected from the group consisting of extenders, fillers, lubricants, plasticizers, coloring agents and mixtures thereof.

12. The composition of claim 11, characterized in that there is added at least one extended within the range of up to about 50% based on the weight of all components.

13. The composition of claim 12, characterized in that there is added at least one inorganic filler in a concentration of about 0.02 to about 3%.

14. The composition of claim 11, wherein there is added a plasticizer within the range of about 0.5 to about 15%.

15. The composition of claim 14, wherein a coloring agent is added in a concentration of about 0.001 to about 10%.

16. The composition of claim 14, wherein the sum of the plasticizer and water content does not exceed 25%.

17. The composition of claims 1 or 16, further comprising at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, agriculturally active compounds and combinations and mixtures thereof.

18. The composition of claim 1 in the form of a melt blend.

19. The composition of claim 1 cooled to obtain a solid.

20. A thermoplastic destructurized starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture of destructurized starch and at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer;

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

21. The product of claim 20, wherein the substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefines, vinylpolymers, polyacetals (POM), polycondensates, thermoplastic polyesters, polycarbonates, poly (alkylene therephthalates), polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyamides, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), high molecular weight essentially water-insoluble polyalkylene oxides and copolymers and mixtures thereof.

22. The product of claim 21, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polyisobutylenes, polypropylenes, poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly (vinyl acetates), polyvinylalcohols, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles (PAN), polyvinylcarbazols (PVK), polyamides (PA), essentially water-insoluble poly (acrylic acid esters) and essentially water-insoluble poly (methacrylic acid esters) and copolymers and mixtures thereof.

23. The product of claim 21, wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate-copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid-copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate-copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methyl acrylate-copolymers (EMA), ABS-copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile-copolymers (SAN), polyacetals and mixtures thereof.

24. The product of claim 20 wherein there is added a plasticizer in the range of about 0.5 to about 15% by weight.

25. The product of claim 20, wherein said shaping process is selected from the group consisting of injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, coextrusion, compression molding, vacuum forming and thermoforming.

26. The product of claim 20 wherein said articles have been shaped as bottles, sheets, films, packaging materials, pipes, rods, laminates, sacks, bags, pharmaceutical capsules, granules or powders.

27. A thermoplastic substantially destructurized homogeneous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture of starch and at least one substantially water-insoluble synthetic thermoplastic polymer;

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to substantially destructurize said starch and form said melt.

28. A carrier for pharmaceutically or agriculturally active ingredients made from a homogenous thermoplastic melt comprising destructurized starch and a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

29. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer containing at least two different types of functional groups, one of said functional groups being a hydroxyl group, wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

30. The composition of claim 29, wherein component (b) comprises vinyl alcohol.

31. The composition of claim 30, wherein component (b) comprises a poly(vinyl ester) having partially hydrolyzed ester groups.

32. The composition of claim 30, wherein component (b) comprises a copolymer comprising vinyl alcohol and at least one monomer selected rom the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl ethers, acrylonitrile, acryl amide, omega-octadecene, vinyl butyl ether, vinyl-octadecyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and mixtures and combinations thereof.

33. The composition of claim 32, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinylacetate), ethylene/vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl chloride/vinyl alcoholvinyl acetate graft copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride/diacryl amide copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl butyral copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers, and mixtures or combinations thereof.

34. The composition of claim 32, wherein component (b) comprises a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl ethers and mixtures and combinations thereof, with subsequent partial or complete hydrolysis of the vinyl ester.

35. The composition of claim 29, wherein component (b) is a polymer or a copolymer obtained from polymerizing or copolymerizing monomers of the formula:

##STR31## wherein R₂ is hydrogen or methyl,

X does not form a vinyl alcohol and is an organic moiety with up to 8 carbon atoms substituted by 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups or 1 to 2 carboxylate groups or mixtures or combinations thereof, or an ester derivative of maleic acid or fumaric acid.

36. The composition of claim 35, wherein component (b) comprises a polymer or copolymer of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula CH₂ ═

C(R₂)X₁, wherein X₁ is --CH₂ OH, --O--CH₂ --CH₂ --OH, --C(O)OCH₂ --CH₂ OH, --C₆ H₄ --O--CH₂ --CH₂ OH, or mixtures or combinations thereof and cis or trans compounds of the formula

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">HOCH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O(O)C--HC═

HC--C(O)O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 OH.

37. The composition of claim 35, wherein component (b) comprises a copolymer of a monomer of a compound of formula CH₂ ═

C(R₂)X or a derivative of maleic or fumaric acid copolymerized with one or more vinyl esters, ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl esters, acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid esters, maleic acid esters, acrylamide, omega-octadecene, vinyl butyl ether, vinyl-octadecyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and mixtures and combinations thereof.

38. The composition of claim 37, wherein the weight percent of the hydroxyl moiety (--OH) is from 4.5 to 35 weight percent of component (b).

39. The composition of claim 29, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

40. The composition of claim 39, wherein destructurized starch comprises between about 50 percent and about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

41. The composition of claim 29, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

42. The composition of claim 29, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

50. The composition of claim 40, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

51. The composition of claim 50, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

52. The composition of claim 29, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

53. The composition of claim 29, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

54. The composition of claim 29, in the form of a melt blend.

55. The composition of claim 29, in the form of a cooled, solidified blend.

56. The composition of claim 29, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

355. The composition of claim 351 or 35, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide is co-substituted by hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl or alkylether groups.

43. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer containing at least two different types of functional groups, one of said functional groups being a hydroxyl group, and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b),

wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

44. The composition of claim 43, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

45. The composition of claim 44, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, ethylene oxide polymers, propylene oxide polymers, polystyrenes and combinations and mixtures thereof.

46. The composition of claim 44, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetate), polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

47. The composition of claim 43, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

48. The composition of claim 47, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

49. The composition of claim 47, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

57. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer that contains at least two different types of functional groups, one of said types being hydroxyl groups (component b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

58. The product of claim 57, wherein component (b) comprises vinyl alcohol units.

59. The product of claim 58, wherein component (b) is a partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl ester).

60. The product of claim 58, wherein component (b) is a copolymer comprising vinyl alcohol and monomeric units obtained by polymerization of vinyl esters with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl ethers, acrylonitrile, acryl amide, omega-octadecene, vinyl butyl ether, vinyl-octadecyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and combinations and mixtures thereof with subsequent hydrolysis of at least some of the vinyl-ester groups.

61. The product of claim 60 wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate), ethylene/vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl chloride/vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate graft copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride/diacryl amide copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl butyral copolymers, vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers, and mixtures and combinations thereof.

62. The product of claim 60, wherein component (b) is a copolymer obtained by polymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene and vinyl ethers, with subsequent hydrolysis of at least some of the vinyl ester groups.

63. The product of claim 57, wherein component (b) is a polymer or a copolymer obtained from polymerizing or copolymerizing monomers of the formula:

##STR32## wherein R₂ is hydrogen or methyl,

X does not form a vinyl alcohol and is an organic moiety with up to 8 carbon atoms substituted by 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups or containing 1 or 2 carboxylate groups or both, or of an ester derivative of maleic acid or fumaric acid which optionally contain hydroxyl groups.

64. The product of claim 63, wherein component (b) is a polymer or a copolymer of at least one compound of the formula CH₂ ═

C(R₂)X₁, wherein X₁ is --CH₂ OH, --O--CH₂ --CH₂ --OH, --C(O)OCH₂ --CH₂ OH or --C₆ H₄ --O--CH₂ --CH₂ OH, or a compound of the formula

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">HOCH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O(O)C--HC═

HC--C(O))--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 OH

space="preserve" listing-type="equation">(cis or trans)

65. The product of claim 63, wherein the polymer of component (b) is a copolymer of (i) a compound of formula CH₂ ═

C(R₂)X or derivatives of maleic or fumaric acid and (ii) at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl ethers, acrylic acid esters, acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid esters, maleic acid esters, acryl amide, omega-octadecene, vinyl butyl ether, vinyl-octadecyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and combinations and mixtures thereof.

66. The product of claim 65, wherein the hydroxyl moiety (--OH) comprises about 4.5 to about 35 weight percent of component (b).

67. The product of claim 57, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

68. The product of claim 57, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

69. The product of claim 57, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature of about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

70. The product of claim 68, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature of about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

71. The product of claim 68, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

72. The product of claim 71, wherein heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

76. The product of claim 57, in granulate form.

77. The product of claim 57, in pellet form.

78. The product of claim 57, in powder form.

79. The product of claim 57, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

80. The product of claim 78, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

81. The product of claim 57, wherein said mixture further comprises (c) a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

82. The product of claim 57, formed into an article by foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming or combinations or mixtures thereof.

73. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer that contains at least two different types of functional groups, one of said types being hydroxyl groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in an closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

74. The product of claim 73, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

75. The product of claim 74, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

83. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising (a) starch and (b) at least one polymer that contains at least two different types of functional groups, one of said types being hydroxyl groups; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

84. The melt of claim 83, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

85. The melt of claim 84, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

86. The melt of claim 85, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

87. The melt of claim 86, formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor at the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

88. The melt of claim 87, wherein said starch undergoes the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

89. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer containing at least two different types of functional groups, one of said functional groups being a hydroxyl group; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

90. The melt of claim 89, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

91. The melt of claim 90, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

92. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule, one of said groups being a carboxylate group;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness, resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

93. The composition of claim 92, wherein component (b) further comprises alkoxy, carboxyalkyl, alkyl carboxy, halo or pyrrolidono groups or combinations or mixtures thereof.

94. The composition of claim 92, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid or itaconic acid or combinations or mixtures thereof, with at least one comonomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl esters, acrylic acid esters, acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid esters, maleic acid esters, acryl amide, vinylene carbonate, omega-octadecene, vinyl-butyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and combinations and mixtures thereof.

95. The composition of claim 92, wherein component (b) is a polymer derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of:

acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, methylacrylate, methylmethacrylate, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, methylvinyl ether and combinations and mixtures thereof.

96. The composition of claim 92, wherein component (b) comprises from about 5 mole percent to about 50 mole percent carboxyl and carboxylate containing moieties.

97. The composition of claim 92, wherein the degree of neutralization of the carboxyl groups is from about 30 percent to about 100 percent.

98. The composition of claim 92, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyacrylic acid-co-vinyl-acetate;

ethylene/acrylic acid/vinyl acetate copolymers;

ethylene/vinyl chloride/acrylic acid/vinyl acetate graft copolymers;

acylic acid/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers;

acrylic acid/vinylmethylether copolymers;

vinyl acetate/ acrylic acid/acrylic acid methylester copolymer;

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers;

vinyl acetate/maleic acid copolymers;

methacrylic acid/vinyl acetate/vinylpyrrolidone copolymers;

ethylene/acrylic acid/methylacrylate copolymer;

acrylic acid/acrylonitrile copolymer;

ethylene/propylene/acrylic acid polymer; and

styrene/acrylic acid copolymer, and combinations and mixtures thereof.

99. The composition of claim 92, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

100. The composition of claim 99, wherein destructurized starch comprises about 50 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

101. The composition of claim 92, wherein the destructurized starch comprises about 5 percent to about 40 percent water by weight.

102. The composition of claim 92, wherein the destructurized starch comprises about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight water.

111. The composition of claim 92, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

112. The composition of claim 92, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

113. A melt blend comprising the composition of claim 92.

114. A cooled solidified blend comprising the composition of claim 92.

115. The composition of claim 92 in particular, granulated or pelletized form.

103. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule, one of said groups being a carboxylate group; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

104. The composition of claim 103, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble and crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

105. The composition of claim 104, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetate), polystyrene, polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

106. The composition of claim 103, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers;

ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers;

alkylene/acrylates or methacrylate copolymers;

ABS-copolymers;

styrene/acrylonitrile-copolymers;

styrene-butadiene-copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers;

partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates;

partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates;

acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof;

acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers; and

combinations and mixtures thereof.

107. The composition of claim 105, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate-copolymers, ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers, ethylene/acrylic acid-copolymers, ethylene/ethyl acrylate-copolymers, ethylene/methacrylate-copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile-copolymers;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters; and

mixtures and combinations thereof.

108. The composition of claim 104, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

109. The composition of claim 103, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

110. The composition of claim 109, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

116. The composition of claim 103, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

117. The composition of claim 103, in a form selected from the group consisting of:

a melt blend, a cooled solidified blend, a plurality of particles, a plurality of granules and a plurality of pellets.

118. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by the process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers which contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule one type of these groups being carboxylate groups (component (b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

119. The product of claim 118, wherein component (b) further comprises at least one alkoxy, carboxylalkyl, alkyl carboxy, halo or pyrrolidono group.

120. The product of claim 118, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid or itaconic acid, with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, vinyl chloride, vinyl esters, acrylic acid esters, acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid esters, maleic acid esters, acryl amide, vinylene carbonate, omega-octadecene, vinyl-butyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone and combinations and mixtures thereof.

121. The product of claim 118, wherein component (b) is a polymer derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of:

acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, methylacrylate, methylmethacrylate, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, methylvinyl ether and combinations and mixtures thereof.

122. The product of claim 121, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing moieties within the copolymer is from about 5 mole percent to about 50 mole percent.

123. The product of claim 121, wherein the degree of neutralization of the carboxyl groups is from about 30 percent to about 100 percent.

124. The composition of claim 118, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyacrylic acid-co-vinyl-acetate;

ethylene/acrylic acid/vinyl acetate copolymers;

ethylene/vinyl chloride/acrylic acid/vinyl acetate graft copolymers;

acrylic acid/vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride copolymers;

acrylic acid/vinyl methylether copolymers;

vinyl acetate/acrylic acid/acrylic acid methyl ester copolymer;

vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers;

vinyl acetate/maleic acid copolymers;

methacrylic acid/ vinyl acetate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers;

ethylene/ acrylic acid/methylacrylate copolymer;

acrylic acid/ acrylonitrile copolymer;

ethylene/propylene/acrylic acid copolymer;

styrene/acrylic acid copolymer and mixtures and combinations thereof.

125. The product of claim 118, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

126. The product of claim 118, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

127. The product of claim 126, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

128. The product of claim 126, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

129. The product of claim 126, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

130. The product of claim 129, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

134. The product of the claim 118, in granulate form.

135. The product of the claim 118, in pellet form.

136. The product of the claim 118, in powder form.

137. The product of claim 134, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

138. The product of claim 135, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

139. The product of claim 136, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

140. The product of claim 134, further comprising:

(c) a polymer selected from the group consisting of;

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), combinations and mixtures thereof.

141. The product of claim 135, further comprising:

(c) a polymer selected from the group consisting of;

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), combinations and mixtures thereof.

142. The product of claim 136, further comprising:

(c) a polymer selected from the group consisting of;

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

143. The shaped articles of claim 118, formed by foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming or combinations thereof.

131. A thermoplastic destructurized starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain at least two types of functional groups and (c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

132. The product of claim 131, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble and crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

133. The product of claim 132, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

144. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule, one type of these groups being carboxylate groups (component (b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt.

145. The melt of claim 144, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

146. The melt of claim 145, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

147. The melt of claim 146, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

148. The melt of claim 147, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

149. The melt of claim 148, wherein heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

150. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer that does not contain hydroxyl groups and is selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain at least two types of functional groups bound to the same molecule, one type of the groups being carboxylate groups and (c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b); and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

151. The melt of claim 150, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

152. The melt of claim 151, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

153. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers containing tertiary amino groups or salts thereof or quaternary ammonium groups;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of ;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

154. The composition of claim 153, wherein component (b) further comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of :

hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkyl carboxy, halo, pyrrolidono and combinations and mixtures thereof;

said groups being selected from those that will not react with the amino groups present and that will not degrade the starch.

155. The composition of the claim 153, wherein component (b) is obtained by the polymerization of at least one monomer containing at least one tertiary amino group or salt thereof or a quaternary ammonium group.

156. The composition of claim 153, wherein component (b) is obtained by the polymerization or copolymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of poly(2-vinyl pyridine), poly(4-vinyl pyridine), polyvinyl carbazole, 1-vinyl imidazole, salts thereof and quaternized derivatives and combinations and mixtures thereof.

157. The composition of claim 156, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of said monomer with a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile, butylmethacrylate and styrene.

158. The composition of claim 153, wherein the polymer of component (b) contains repeating units of the formula:

##STR33## wherein R=NR₁ R₂ ;

--NR₁ R₂ R₃ A, wherein R₁ and R₂ together represent a pyridine residue;

a carbazyl residue;

or an imidazolyl residue,

R₃ is H or alkyl (C₁ -C₂₁), and A is an anion.

159. The composition of claim 158, wherein component (b) is derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of:

2-vinyl- pyridine;

4-vinyl pyridine; and

vinyl carbazole.

160. The composition of claim 153, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

161. The composition of claim 160, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 50 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

162. The composition of claim 153, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight.

163. The composition of claim 153, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight.

173. The composition of claim 153, further comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

174. The composition of claim 153, further containing an agriculturally active compound.

175. The composition of claim 153, in the form of a melt blend.

176. The composition of claim 153, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

177. The composition of claim 153 in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

164. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers containing tertiary amino groups or salts thereof or quaternary ammonium groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

165. The composition of claim 164, wherein component (c) is elected from the group consisting of polyoelfins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyaraylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

166. The composition of claim 165, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, ethylene oxide polymers, propylene oxide polymers, polystyrenes and combinations and mixtures thereof.

167. The composition of claim 165, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polyamides, thermoplastic polyesters, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and mixtures and combinations thereof.

168. The composition of claim 164, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester/copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers;

styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers;

acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers;

block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters; and

combinations and mixtures thereof.

169. The composition of claim 168, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers;

block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters; and

combinations and mixtures thereof.

170. The composition of claim 164, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of said composition.

171. The composition of claim 170, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of said composition.

172. The composition of claim 171, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of said composition.

178. The composition of claim 164, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend.

179. The composition of claim 164, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

180. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by the process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers containing tertiary amino groups or salts thereof or quaternary ammonium groups;

said polymer being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture (component (b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and to form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

181. The product of claim 180, wherein component (b) further comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of:

hydroxy, alkoxy, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkyl carboxy, halo, pyrrolidono;

said groups being selected from those that will not react with the amino groups present and that do not degrade the starch.

182. The product of claim 181, wherein component (b) is a polymer obtained by polymerization of at least one monomer containing a tertiary amino group or a salt thereof or a quaternary ammonium group.

183. The product of claim 181, wherein component (b) is obtained by the polymerization of copolymerization of a monomer selected from the group consisting of:

poly(2-vinyl pyridine);

poly(4-vinyl pyridine);

polyvinyl carbazole, 1-vinyl imidazole, salts thereof, quaternized derivatives thereof and combinations and mixtures thereof.

184. The product of claim 183, wherein said monomer is copolymerized with a copolymer selected from the group consisting of:

acrylonitrile, butylmethacylate and styrene.

185. The product of claim 183, wherein component (b) contains repeating units of the formula:

##STR34## wherein R is NR₁ R₂ ;

or --NR₁ R₂ R₃ A, wherein R₁ and R₂ together represent a pyridine residue;

a carbazyl residue;

or an imidazolyl residue,

R₃ is H or alkyl (C₁ -C₂₁), and A is an anion.

186. The product of claim 183, wherein component (b) comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of:

2-vinyl pyridine;

4-vinyl pyridine; and

vinyl carbazole.

187. The product of claim 180, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

188. The product of claim 180, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

189. The product of claim 180, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

190. The product of claim 188, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

191. The product of claim 188, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

192. The product of claim 191, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

194. The product of claim 188, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

196. The product according to the claim 180, in the form of a granulate.

197. The product according to the claim 180, in the form of a pellet.

198. The product according to the claim 180, in the form of a powder.

200. The product of claim 180, in a form selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

201. The product of claim 180, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

202. The product of claim 180, formed into an article by a method selected from the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

193. A thermoplastic destructurized starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers containing tertiary amino groups or salts thereof or quaternary ammonium groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

195. The product of claim 193, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

199. The product of claim 195, in a form selected from the group consisting of:

granules, pellets and powders.

203. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain tertiary amino groups, salts thereof and quaternary ammonium groups;

said polymer being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article formed from said melt (component (b)), and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and to form said melt.

204. The melt of claim 203, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above the melting point and glass transition temperature of said starch.

205. The melt of claim 203, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

206. The melt of claim 205, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

207. The melt of claim 206, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

208. The melt of claim 207, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

209. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers that contain tertiary amino groups, salts thereof and quaternary ammonium groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

210. The melt of claim 209, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly-acrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

211. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides that have been modified to contain added hydroxylalkyl groups or alkyl ether groups, or ester groups;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness, resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

212. The composition of claim 211, wherein the modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of:

celluloses, starches and hemi-celluloses.

213. The composition of claim 211, wherein the polymer of component (b) is an alkoxylated polysaccharide that comprises hydroxy alkyl groups.

214. The composition of claim 213, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide further comprises an alkyl ether group or an alkyl ester group.

215. The composition of claim 213, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide further comprises a hydroxy ethyl group or a hydroxy propyl group.

216. The composition of claim 213, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide has a degree of substitution within the range from about 0.05 to about 2.5.

217. The composition of claim 213, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide has a degree of substitution within the range from about 0.1 to about 1.5.

218. The composition of claim 211, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

219. The composition of claim 218, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 50 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

220. The composition of claim 211, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

221. The composition of claim 211, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

230. The composition of claim 211, further comprising of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

231. The composition of claim 211, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

232. The composition of claim 211, in the form of a melt blend.

233. The composition of claim 211, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

234. The composition of claim 211, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

222. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides that have been modified to contain added hydroxyalkyl groups or alkyl ether groups, or ester groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

223. The composition of claim 222, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

224. The composition of claim 223, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

225. The composition of claim 222, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

226. The composition of claim 225, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters, block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

227. The composition of claim 222, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

228. The composition of claim 227, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

229. The composition of claim 228, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

235. The composition of claim 222, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

agriculturally active compounds, adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

236. The composition of claim 222, in a form selected from the group consisting of:

melt blends, cooled solidified blends, particles, granules and powders.

237. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides modified to contain added hydroxylkyl groups, alkyl ether groups, or contain ester groups or combinations and mixtures thereof.

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

238. The product of claim 237, wherein the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of celluloses, starches and hemi-celluloses.

239. The product of claim 238, wherein the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of celluloses and starches.

240. The product of claim 239, wherein the polysaccharide is a starch.

241. The product of claim 237, wherein component (b) is an alkoxylated polysaccharide comprising at least one hydroxy alkyl group.

242. The product of claim 241, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide further comprises at least one alkyl ether group or at least one alkyl ester group or a combination thereof.

243. The product of claim 241, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide comprises a hydroxy ethyl group or a hydroxy propyl group or a combination thereof.

244. The product of claim 241, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide has a degree of substitution from about 0.05 to about 2.5.

245. The product of claim 241, wherein the alkoxylated polysaccharide has a degree of substitution from about 0.1 to about 1.5.

246. The product of claim 237, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

247. The product of claim 237, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

248. The product of claim 237, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

249. The product of claim 247, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

250. The product of claim 247, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

251. The product of claim 250, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

255. The product of claim 237, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

256. The product of the claim 237, in the form of a granule.

257. The product of the claim 237, in the form of a pellet.

258. The product of the claim 237, in the form of a powder.

261. The product of claim 256, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

262. The product of claim 257, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

263. The product of claim 258, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

267. The product of claim 261, 262 or 263, wherein said processing comprises at least one step selected from foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations and mixtures thereof.

252. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides modified to contain added hydroxyalkyl groups, alkyl ether groups, or contain ester groups or combinations and mixtures thereof; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

253. The product of claim 252, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

254. The product of claim 252, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester/copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

259. The product of claim 252, in granular, pellet or powder form.

260. The product of claim 259, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottle, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags, and pharmaceutical capsules.

264. The product of claim 252, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

265. The product of the claim 252, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate and methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/ acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

266. The product of claim 260, wherein said processing comprises at least one step selected from:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations and mixtures thereof.

268. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of;

polysaccharides that have been chemically modified to contain added hydroxyalkyl groups or alkyl ether groups, or contain ester groups (component (b)); and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

269. The melt of claim 268, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of:

stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

270. The melt of claim 268, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

271. The melt of claim 270, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

272. The melt of claim 271, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

273. The melt of claim 272, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

278. The melt of claim 268, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

274. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides that have been chemically modified to contain added hydroxyalkyl groups or alkyl ether groups, or contain ester groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressures for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

275. The melt of claim 274, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

276. The melt of claim 274, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

277. The melt of claim 274, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

279. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone;

wherein said compound is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

280. The composition of claim 279, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with one or more monomers selected from the group of vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, allyalcohol, ethylene, propylene, butylene, isoprene, butadiene, styrene, vinyl ethers, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and combinations and mixtures thereof.

281. The composition of claim 279, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, styrene and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and combinations and mixtures thereof.

282. The composition of claim 279, wherein said copolymer has a molar content of vinyl pyrrolidone from about 5 percent to about 95 percent.

283. The composition of claim 279, wherein said copolymer has a molar content of vinyl pyrrolidone from about 10 percent to about 30 percent.

284. The composition of claim 279, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

285. The composition of claim 284, wherein component (b) is a poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl ester) copolymer.

286. The composition of claim 284, wherein component (b) is poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate) copolymer.

287. The composition of claim 279, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 99:

1 to about 99;

1.

288. The composition of claim 287, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 60 percent to about 90 percent of the total composition.

289. The composition of claim 279, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

290. The composition of claim 279, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

299. The composition of claims 279 or 291, further comprising one or more materials selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

300. The composition of claim 279 or 291, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

301. The composition of claim 279, in the form of a melt blend.

302. The composition of claim 279, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

303. The composition of claim 279, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

291. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combines amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

292. The composition of claim 291, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

293. The composition of claim 292, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

294. The composition of claim 291, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

295. The composition of claim 294, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethylacrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

296. The composition of claim 291, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

297. The composition of claim 296, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

298. The composition of claim 297, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

304. The composition of claim 291, in a form selected from the group consisting of:

melt blends, cooled solidified blends, particulates, powders, granules, pellets and combinations and mixtures thereof.

305. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture;

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

306. The product of claim 305, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with one or more monomers selected from the group consisting of:

vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, allyl alcohol, ethylene, propylene, butylene, isoprene, butadiene, styrene, vinyl ethers, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and combinations and mixtures thereof.

307. The product of claim 305, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone with a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl esters, vinyl alcohol, styrene, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and combinations and mixtures thereof.

308. The product of claim 307, wherein said copolymer has a molar content of vinyl pyrrolidone from about 5 percent to about 95 percent.

309. The product to claim 305, wherein said copolymer has a molar content of vinyl pyrrolidone from about 10 percent to about 30 percent.

310. The product of claim 305, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

311. The product of claim 305, wherein component (b) is a poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl ester) copolymer.

312. The product of claim 305, wherein component (b) is poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone-vinyl acetate) copolymer.

313. The product of claim 305, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

314. The product of claim 305, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

315. The product of claim 305, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

316. The product of claim 314, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

317. The product of claim 314, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

318. The product of claim 317, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

322. The product of claim 305, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

323. The product of the claim 305, in the form of a granulate.

324. The product of the claim 305, in the form of a pellet.

325. The product of the claim 305, in the form of a powder.

329. The product of claim 323 or 324, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags, and pharmaceutical capsules.

330. The product of claim 325, further melted and processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

334. The product of claim 329, wherein the further processing is selected from the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

319. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

320. The product of claim 319, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates. polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizabel poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

321. The product of claim 319, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/ acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethanbe-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

326. The product of claim 319, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

327. The product of claim 319, in powder, pelletized or granulate form.

328. The product of claim 327, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags, and pharmaceutical capsules.

331. The product of claim 319, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

332. The product of claim 319, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester/copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

333. The product of claim 328, wherein the further processing is selected from the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

336. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone;

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article formed from said melt; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

337. The melt of claim 336, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

338. The melt of claim 336, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

339. The melt of claim 336, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

340. The melt of claim 339, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

341. The melt of claim 340, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

345. The melt of claim 336, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

342. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressures for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

343. The melt of claim 342, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrates, high molar-mass essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

344. The melt of claim 342, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

346. The melt of claim 342, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

347. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides;

wherein said polysaccharide is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

335. The product of claim 360, wherein the further processing is selected form the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

348. The composition of claim 347, wherein said cationically modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starches, celluloses, hemicelluloses, xylanes, gums, alginates, pectins and pullulans and combinations and mixtures thereof.

349. The composition of claim 348, wherein said cationically modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of:

starch and cellulose.

350. The composition of claim 347, wherein said cationically modified polysaccharide is obtained by chemical reaction of a polysaccharide with a compound containing an amino, imino, ammonium, sulfonium or phosphonium group.

351. The composition of claim 350, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide comprises a tertiary amino group.

352. The composition according to claim 350, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide comprises a quaternary ammonium group.

353. The composition of claim 350, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide comprises a tertiary amino group obtained by chemical reaction with 2-dialkylaminoethyl chloride.

354. The composition of claim 350, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide carries a quaternary ammonium group obtained by chemical reaction with 2,3-(epoxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride.

356. The composition of claim 352, wherein the cationically modified polysacchardide is co-substituted by hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl or alkylether groups.

357. The composition of claim 347, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.5.

358. The composition of claim 347, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 1.5.

359. The composition of claim 347, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 0.5.

360. The composition of claim 347, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

361. The composition of claim 360, wherein destructurized starch is present in an amount from about 50 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

362. The composition of claim 347, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

363. The composition of claim 347, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

372. The composition of claims 347, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

373. The composition of claim 347 or 364, further containing an agriculturally active compound.

374. The composition of claim 347 or 364, in the form of a melt blend.

375. The composition of claim 347 or 364, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

376. The composition of claim 347 or 364, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

364. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

365. The composition of claim 364, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbozols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

366. The composition of claim 365, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

367. The composition of claim 364, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and and combinations and mixtures thereof.

368. The composition of claim 367, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

369. The composition of claim 364, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

370. The composition of claim 369, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

371. The composition of claim 370, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

395. The product of claim 371, in the form of a granulate.

400. The product of claim 395, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

406. The product of claim 400, 401 or 402, wherein the further processing is selected from the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

377. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides (component(b)),

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

378. The product of claim 377, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starches, celluloses, hemicelluloses, xylanes, gums, alginates, pectins and pullulans and combinations and mixtures thereof.

379. The product of claim 377, wherein said cationically modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starch and cellulose.

380. The product of claim 377, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide comprises a tertiary amino group.

381. The product to claim 377, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide comprises a quaternary ammonium group.

382. The product of claim 377, wherein the cationically modified polysaccharide is co-substituted by at least one of the group consisting of:

hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl and alkylether groups.

383. The product of claim 377, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.5.

384. The product of claim 377, wherein the degree of substitution of the cationically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 1.5.

385. The product of claim 377, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

386. The product of claim 377, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

387. The product of claim 377, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

388. The product of claim 386, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

389. The product of claim 386, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

390. The product of claim 377, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

394. The product of claim 377, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

396. The product of claim 377, in the form of a pellet.

397. The product of claim 377, in the form of a powder.

401. The product of claim 396, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

402. The product of claim 397, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

491. The melt of claim 384, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrates, high molar-mass essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

391. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

392. The product of claim 391, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

393. The product of claim 391, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

398. The product of claim 391, in a form selected from the group consisting of granules, powders and pellets.

399. The product of claim 391, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

403. The product of claim 398, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

404. The product of the claim 398, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

405. The product of claim 399, wherein the further processing is selected from the group consisting of:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermoforming and combinations thereof.

407. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides (component (b)); and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

408. The melt of claim 407, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

409. The melt of claim 407, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

410. The melt of claim 407, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

411. The melt of claim 410, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

412. The melt of claim 411, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

413. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising (a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cationically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

414. The melt of claim 413 where component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrates, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

415. The melt of claim 413 wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

416. The melt of claim 413, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

417. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides;

said modified polysaccharide being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of said article.

418. The composition of claim 417, wherein said polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starches, celluloses, hemicelluloses, xylanes, gums, alginates, pectins, pullulans and combinations and mixtures thereof.

419. The composition of claim 418, wherein said anionically modified polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starch, cellulose and combinations and mixtures thereof.

420. The composition of the claim 417, wherein said polysaccharide comprises at least one phosphate group, sulfate group or carboxyl group in the form of its free acid or a salt thereof.

421. The composition of claim 420, wherein the polysaccharide comprises a sulfate group.

422. The composition of claim 420, wherein the polysaccharide comprises an ammonium salt, an alkali salt or an organic base salt of a sulfate group.

423. The composition of claim 420, wherein the polysaccharide comprises at least one carboxyl group.

424. The composition of claim 420, wherein the polysaccharide comprises an ammonium or alkali salt or organic base salt of a carboxyl group.

425. The composition of the claim 421, wherein the polysaccharide further comprises a hydroxyalkyl group or an alkylether group.

426. The composition of claim 417, wherein the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.9.

427. The composition of claim 417, wherein the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.5

428. The composition of claim 417, wherein the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide is from about 0.05 to about 1.5.

429. The composition of claim 417, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

430. The composition of claim 429, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 50 percent to about 99 percent of the total composition.

431. The composition of claim 417, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

432. The composition of claim 417, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content of from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

441. The composition of claim 417, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

443. The composition of claim 417, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

444. The composition of claim 417, in the form of a melt blend.

445. The composition of claim 417, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

446. The composition of claim 417, in particulate, granulated, powdered or pelletized form.

433. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

434. The composition of claim 433, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

435. The composition of claim 434, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

436. The composition of claim 433, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

437. The composition of claim 436, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

438. The composition of claim 433 wherein components (b) and (c) comprise form about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

439. The composition of claim 438, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

440. The composition of claim 439 wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

442. The composition of claim 433, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

447. The composition of claim 433, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

448. The composition of claim 433, in the form of a melt blend.

449. The composition of claim 433, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

450. The composition of claim 433, in particulate, granulated, pelletized or powdered form.

451. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides in an amount sufficient to enhance at least one property of said product,

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to form a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

452. The product of claim 451, wherein the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of starches, celluloses, hemicelluloses, xylanes, gums, alginates, pectins and pullulans and combinations and mixtures thereof.

453. The product of claim 451, wherein said polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of:

starch, cellulose and combinations and mixtures thereof.

454. The product of claim 451, wherein the polysaccharide further comprises at least one phosphate group, sulfate group or carboxyl group in the form of a free acid or a salt thereof.

455. The product of claim 451, wherein the polysaccharide further comprises at least one carboxyl group in the form of an ammonium or alkali salt or in the form of an organic base salt.

456. The product of claim 451, wherein the polysaccharide further comprises at least one hydroxyalkyl group or alkylether group.

457. The product of claim 451, wherein the degree of substitution of the polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.9.

458. The product of claim 451, wherein the degree of substitution of the anionically modified polysaccharide is from about 0.01 to about 2.5

459. The product of claim 451, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

460. The product of claim 451, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

461. The product of claim 451, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

462. The product of claim 461, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

463. The product of claim 460, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

464. The product of claim 453, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

468. The product of claim 451, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

469. The product of claim 451, in granular form.

470. The product of claim 451, in pelletized form.

471. The product of claim 451, in the form of a powder.

474. The product of claim 469, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles pipes, rods packaging material, sheets, foams, films sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

475. The product of claim 470, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

476. The product of claim 471, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

480. The product of claim 474, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

481. The product of claim 475, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

482. The product of claim 476, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo forming and combinations thereof.

465. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

466. The product of claim 465 wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

467. The product of claim 465, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

472. The product of claim 465, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

473. The product of claim 465, in granular, pelletized, or powdered form.

477. The product of claim 473, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

478. A product of claim 473, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

479. The product of claim 473 further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags, and pharmaceutical capsules.

483. The product of claim 479, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

484. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides (component (b)); and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

485. The melt of claim 484, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

486. The melt of claim 484, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

487. The melt of claim 484, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature form about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

488. The melt of claim 487, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

489. The melt of claim 488, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

492. The melt of claim 484, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

493. The melt of claim 484, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and combinations and mixtures thereof.

490. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of anionically modified polysaccharides; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

494. A composition of matter capable of being formed int an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group, with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

495. The composition of claim 494, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with at least one selected from the group consisting of:

ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, and styrene, with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

496. The composition of claim 495, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethylene or propylene, with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

497. The composition of claim 496, wherein component (b) is a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethylene with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

498. The composition of claim 496, wherein the molar ratio of vinyl alcohol units to alkylene units is from about 10:

90 to about 90;

10.

499. The composition of claim 496, wherein the molar ratio of vinyl alcohol units to alkylene units is from about 50:

50 to about 85;

15.

500. The composition of claim 496, wherein the molar ratio of vinyl alcohol units to alkylene units is from about 60:

40 to about 81;

19.

501. The composition of claim 496, wherein component (b) further comprises about 5 to 20 percent styrene units based on the total weight of the polymer.

502. The composition of claim 494, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

503. The composition of claim 502, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 50 percent to about 99 percent of the total composition.

504. The composition of claim 496, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

505. The composition of claim 494, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

514. The composition of claim 494, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

515. The composition of claim 494, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

516. The composition of claim 494, in the form of a melt blend.

517. The composition of claim 494, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

518. The composition of claim 494, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

506. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group,

(c) with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

507. The composition of claim 506 wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly-acrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

508. The composition of claim 507, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

509. The composition of claim 506, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

510. The composition of claim 509, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

511. The composition of claim 506, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

512. The composition of claim 511, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise form about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

513. The composition of claim 512, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

519. The composition of claim 506, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and combinations and mixtures thereof.

520. The composition of claim 506, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

521. The composition of claim 506, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend.

522. The composition of claim 506, in particulate, granular or pelletized form.

523. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising a starch and at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of vinyl esters with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group (component (b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and to form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

524. The product of claim 523, wherein component (b) is a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, or styrene with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

525. The product of claim 523, wherein component (b) is a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethylene or propylene with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

526. The product of claim 523, wherein component (b) is a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of vinyl acetate with ethylene with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group.

527. The product of claim 523, wherein the molar ratio of vinyl alcohol units to alkylene units is form about 50:

50 to about 85;

15.

528. The composition of claim 527, wherein component (b) further comprises from about 5 percent to about 20 percent polystyrene units based on the total weight of the polymer.

529. The product of claim 523, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

530. The product of claim 523, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

531. The product of claim 523, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

532. The product of claim 530, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to bout 190°

C.

533. The product of claim 530, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure form the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

534. The product of claim 533, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

538. The product of claim 523, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming gents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

539. The product of claim 523, in granulate form.

540. The product of claim 523, in pellet form.

541. The product of claim 523, in powder form.

544. The product of claim 539, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

545. The product of claim 540, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

546. The product of claim 541, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

550. The product of claim 539, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

551. The product of claim 540, wherein the further processing comprises:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

552. The product of claim 541, wherein the further processing comprises:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

535. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with alyphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group, with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

536. The product of claim 535, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

537. The product of claim 535, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/.maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers or amide-ethers, amide-esters;

bloc copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

542. The product of claim 535 wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

543. The product of claim 535, in granulate, pellet or powder form.

547. The product of claim 542, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags, and pharmaceutical capsules.

548. The product of claim 543, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

549. The product of claim 543, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

553. The product of claim 543, wherein the further processing comprises:

foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo forming and combinations thereof.

554. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of vinyl esters with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

555. The melt of claim 554, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

556. The melt of claim 554, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

557. The melt of claim 554, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

558. The melt of claim 557, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

559. The melt of claim 558, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

561. The melt of claim 554, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly-acrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

562. The melt of claim 554, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

560. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one polymer selected from the group of copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units together with aliphatic chain units obtained by copolymerization of a vinyl ester with at least one unsaturated monomer containing no functional group, with subsequent hydrolysis of the vinyl ester group; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of(b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

563. The melt of claim 560, wherein the mixture additionally contains one or more materials selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

564. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

565. The composition of claim 564, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of:

polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene;

butadiene;

isoprene;

acrylonitrile;

alkylacrylates;

alkylmethacrylates;

acrylic acid;

methacrylic acid, alkyl vinyl ether, and acrylamide and combinations and mixtures thereof.

566. The composition of claim 564, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of isoprene;

acrylonitrile;

methyl acrylate;

methyl methacrylate;

acrylic acid;

methyl vinyl ether and acrylamide and combinations and mixtures thereof.

567. The composition of claim 564, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate and combinations and mixtures thereof.

568. The composition of claim 564, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of beta-propiolactone, ethyleneimine, propyleneimine and caprolactam and combinations and mixtures thereof.

569. The composition of claim 564, wherein component (b) is a graft copolymer of cellulose or starch.

570. The composition of claim 564, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

571. The composition of claim 570, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 60 percent to about 95 percent of the total composition.

572. The composition of claim 564, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

573. The composition of claim 564, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

582. The composition of claim 564, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

583. The composition of claim 564, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

584. The composition of claim 564, in the form of a melt blend.

585. The composition of claim 564, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

586. The composition of claim 564, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

574. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

575. The composition of claim 574, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

576. The composition of claim 574, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

577. The composition of claim 574, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

578. The composition of claim 577, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

579. The composition of claim 574, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

580. The composition of claim 579, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

581. The composition of claim 580, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

587. The composition of claim 574, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

588. The composition of claim 574, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

589. The composition of claim 574, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend.

590. The composition of claim 574, in particulate, granulated or pelletized form.

591. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected form the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical properties of an article made from said mixture;

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to form a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

592. The product of claim 591, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene;

butadiene;

isoprene;

acrylonitrile;

alkylacrylates;

alkylmethacrylates;

acrylic acid;

methacrylic acid, alkyl vinyl ether, acrylamide and combinations and mixtures thereof.

593. The product of claim 591, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of isoprene;

acrylonitrile;

methyl acrylate;

methyl methacrylate;

acrylic acid;

methyl vinyl ether and acrylamide and combinations and mixtures thereof.

594. The product of claim 593, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with methyl acrylate or methyl methacrylate.

595. The product of claim 591, wherein component (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides grafted with a monomer or with monomers selected from the group consisting of beta-propiolactone, ethyleneimine, propyleneimine and caprolactam and combinations and mixtures thereof.

596. The product of claim 591, wherein component (b) is a grafted copolymer of cellulose or starch.

597. The product claim 591, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

598. The product of claim 591, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

599. The product of claim 591, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

600. The product of claim 599, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature form about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

601. The product of claim 591, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

602. The product of claim 601, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

606. The product of claim 591, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

607. The product of claim 591, in granular form.

608. The product of claim 591, in pelletized form.

609. The product of claim 591, in powder form.

613. The product of claim 607, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

614. The product of claim 608, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

615. The product of claim 609, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

618. The product of claim 607, 608, 609 or 611, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum forming, thermo forming and combinations thereof.

603. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

604. The product of claim 603, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

605. The product of claim 603, wherein component (c) is selected form the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane=esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

610. The product of claim 603, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

611. The product of claim 603, in granular, pelletized or powdered form.

612. The product of claim 611, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of:

containers, bottles, pipes rods, packaging material, sheets forms, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

616. The product of claim 611, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

617. The product of claim 611, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

619. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

620. The melt of claim 619, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

621. The melt of claim 619, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

622. The melt of claim 619, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

623. The melt of claim 619, wherein the melt is formed of a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

624. The melt of claim 623, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

626. The melt of claim 619, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

627. The melt of claim 619, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

625. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide graft copolymers and graft copolymers of polysaccharide derivatives; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixtures in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

628. The melt of claim 625, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

629. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers;

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of said article;

wherein said polymer is present in an mount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

630. The composition of claim 629, wherein component (b) is derived from unsubstituted or substituted ethyleneimines.

631. The composition of claim 630, wherein component (b) is derived from ethyleneimines that correspond to the formula ##STR35## wherein R₁ is hydrogen or methyl.

632. The composition of claim 631, wherein component (b) is a polyalkyleneimine derived from a compound selected from the group consisting of ethyleneimine, N-acetyl-ethyleneimine and N-propionyl-ethyleneimine.

633. The composition of claim 631, wherein component (b) is derived from ethyleneimine and has an average molecular weight from about 25,000 to about 430,000.

634. The composition of claim 629, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

635. The composition of claim 634, wherein destructurized starch is present in an amount from about 60 percent to about 99 percent of the total composition.

636. The composition of claim 629, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

637. The composition of claim 629, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

646. The composition of claim 629, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

647. The composition of claim 629, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

648. The composition of claim 629, in the form of a melt blend.

649. The composition of claim 629, in the form of a cooled solidified blend.

650. The composition of claim 629, in particulate, granulate or pelletized form.

638. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

639. The composition of claim 638, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combination and mixtures thereof.

640. The composition of claim 639, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combination and mixtures thereof.

641. The composition of claim 638, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

642. The composition of claim 641, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers a(EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

643. The composition of claim 638, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

644. The composition of claim 643, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 10 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

645. The composition of claim 644, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total composition.

651. The composition of claim 638, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, filler, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, forming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

652. The composition of claim 638, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

653. The composition of claim 638, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend.

654. The composition of claim 638, in particulate, granulate or pelletized form.

655. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture,

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

656. The product of claim 655, wherein component (b) is derived from unsubstituted or substituted ethyleneimines.

657. The product of claim 655, wherein component (b) is derived from ethyleneimines which correspond to the formula ##STR36## wherein R₁ is hydrogen or methyl.

658. The product of claim 655, wherein component (b) is a polyalkyleneimine as derived from a compound selected from the group consisting of ethyleneimine, N-acetyl-ethyleneimine and N-propionyl-ethyleneimine.

659. The product of claim 655, wherein component (b) is derived from ethyleneimine and has an average molecular weight from about 25,000 to about 430,000.

660. The product of claim 655, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

661. The product of claim 655, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

662. The product of claim 655, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at temperatures from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

663. The product of claim 661, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

664. The product of claim 661, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

665. The product of claim 661, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to is endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

669. The product of claim 655, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

670. The product of claim 655, in the form of a granulate.

671. The product of claim 655, in the form of a pellet.

672. The product of claim 655, in the form of a powder.

676. The product of claim 670, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

677. The product of claim 671, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

678. The product of claim 672, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

681. The product of claim 670, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

682. The product of claim 671, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

683. The product of claim 672, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

666. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

667. The product of claim 666, wherein component (c) is selected form the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

668. The product of claim 666, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

673. The product of claim 666, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

674. The product of claim 666, in granulate, powder or pelletized form.

675. The product of claim 674, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

679. The product of claim 674, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

680. The product of the claim 674, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/ acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and mixtures thereof.

684. The product of claim 674 wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

685. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

686. The melt of claim 685, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

687. The melt of claim 685, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

688. The melt of claim 685, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature form about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

689. The melt of claim 688, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

690. The melt of claim 689, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

692. The melt of claim 685, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, poly(vinyl carbazols), polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

693. The melt of claim 685, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

694. The melt of claim 685, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

691. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine polymers and polyalkyleneimine copolymers; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixtures in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

695. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymers, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof;

said compound being present in an mount effective to enhance at least one physical property of said article wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatability with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

696. The composition of claim 695, wherein component (b) has a molecular weight from about 2,000 to about 1,500,000.

697. The composition of claim 695, wherein component (b) is a block copolymer of sulfonated styrene with an unsaturated monomer or a salt thereof.

698. The composition of claim 697, wherein said unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butylene, isobutylene, propylene, butadiene, isoprene and styrene.

699. The composition of claim 695, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and ethylene or a salt thereof.

700. The composition of claim 695, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and butadiene or a salt thereof.

701. The composition of claim 695, wherein component (b) is a metal salt or ammonium salt.

702. The composition of claim 701, wherein said salt is a sodium, potassium, magnesium or zinc salt.

703. The composition of the claim 701, wherein said salt is a sodium or zinc salt.

704. The composition of claim 701, wherein the average molecular weight of component (b) is from about 10,000 to about 400,000.

705. The composition of claim 701, wherein the compound of component (b) has a degree of substitution from about 5 percent to about 100 percent.

706. The composition of claim 701, wherein the degree of substitution is from about 10 percent to about 50 percent.

707. The composition of claim 695, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

708. The composition of claim 707, wherein destructurized starch comprises form about 60 percent to about 95 percent of the total composition.

709. The composition of claim 695, wherein the destructurized starch has a water content form about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

710. The composition of claim 695, wherein the destructurized starch ha a water content from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

719. The composition of claim 695, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

720. The composition of claim 695, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

721. The composition of claim 695, in the form of a melt blend.

722. The composition of claim 695, in the form of a cooled solidified blend..

723. The composition of claim 695, in particulate, granular or pelletized form.

711. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymer, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

712. The composition of claim 711, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

713. The composition of claim 712, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

714. The composition of claim 711, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

715. The composition of claim 714, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAM), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

716. The composition of claim 711, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

717. The composition of claim 716, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise form about 20 percent to about 80 percent by weight of the total composition.

718. The composition of claim 717, wherein the sum of components (b) and (c) comprises from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight of the total composition.

724. The composition of claim 711, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extruders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

725. The composition of claim 711, further comprising an agriculturally active agent.

726. The composition of claim 711, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend..

727. The composition of claim 711, in particulate, granulate or pelletized form.

728. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymers, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof (component (b));

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance the physical properties of an article made from said mixture;

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

729. The product of claim 728, wherein component (b) has a molecular weight form about 2,000 to about 1,500,000.

730. The product of claim 728, wherein component (b) is a block copolymer of sulfonated styrene with an unsaturated monomer.

731. The product of claim 730, wherein said unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butylene, isobutylene, propylene, butadiene, isoprene and styrene.

732. The product of claim 728, wherein component (b) is a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and ethylene or a salt thereof.

733. The product of claim 728, wherein component (b) is a metal salt or an ammonium salt.

734. The product of claim 728, wherein said salt is a sodium or zinc salt.

735. The product of claim 728, wherein component (b) has a degree of substitution from about 5 percent to about 100 percent.

736. The product of claim 728, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

737. The product of claim 728, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

738. The product of claim 728, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

739. The product of claim 738, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

740. The product of claim 738, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure form the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

741. The product of claim 740, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

745. The product of claim 728, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

746. The product of claim 728, in the form of a granulate, pellet or powder.

749. The product of claim 746, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

753. The product of claim 749, wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

754. The product of claim 746, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

757. The product of claim 749, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

758. The product of claim 728, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

759. The product of claim 729, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

742. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymers, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

743. The product of claim 742, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

744. The product of claim 742, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and mixtures thereof.

747. The product of claim 742, wherein said mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agent, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

748. The product of claim 742, in the form of a granulate, a pellet or a powder.

750. The product of claim 748 further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

751. The product of claim 747 wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

752. The product of the claims 747, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/ acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/ acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

755. The product of claim 747, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

756. The product of claim 748, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

760. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid polymers, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof;

said compound being present in an amount effective to enhance the physical properties of an article made from said mixture; and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

761. The melt of claim 760 wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

762. The melt of claim 760, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 205°

C. to about 240°

C.

763. The melt of claim 760, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature form about 130°

C. to about 90°

C.

764. The melt of claim 763, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure form the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

765. The melt of claim 764, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

767. The melt of claim 760, wherein said component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass essentially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

766. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of styrene sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid copolymers, and salts thereof; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

768. The melt of claim 766, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of:

alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

769. The melt of claim 766, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

770. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups, said polymers and copolymers being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of said article;

wherein said polymer is present in an amount sufficient to modify in a desired manner at least one of the properties of;

toughness;

resistance to deformation in humid atmosphere; and

compatibility with a substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer.

771. The composition of claim 770, wherein component (b) is obtained by polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, itaconic acid, itaconic acid anhydride and combinations and mixtures thereof, with subsequent salt formation of a part or of all the carboxyl groups.

772. The composition of claim 770, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid an combinations and mixtures thereof, with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butylene, isobutylene, propylene, isoprene, butadiene and styrene and combinations and mixtures thereof, with subsequent salt formation.

773. The composition of claim 772, wherein said copolymer is a salt of an ethylene-acrylic-acid copolymer or a salt of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.

774. The composition of claim 770 wherein the component (b) comprises carboxylate groups of the formula

775. The composition of claim 774, wherein said cation M is an alkali, magnesium or zinc cation.

776. The composition of claim 775, wherein said cation is sodium.

777. The composition of claim 770, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 5 percent to about 80 percent based on the total amount of monomeric moieties in component (b).

778. The composition of claim 770 wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 3 mole percent to about 40 mole percent based on the total amount of monomeric moieties in component (b).

779. The composition of claim 770, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 3.5 mole percent to about 30 mole percent based on the total amount of monomeric moieties.

780. The composition of claim 777, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 3.5 mole percent to about 20 mole percent, based on, the total amount of monomeric moieties in component (b).

781. The composition of claim 777, wherein the degree of neutralization of component (b) is from about 40 percent to about 90 percent.

782. The composition of claim 770, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

783. The composition of claim 777, wherein destructurized starch comprises from about 50 percent to about 99 percent of the total composition.

784. The composition of claim 770, wherein destructurized starch has a water content from about 5 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the total starch content.

785. The composition of claim 770, wherein destructurized starch has a water content from about 10 percent to about 22 percent by weight of the total starch content.

794. The composition of claim 770, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

795. The composition of claim 770, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

796. The composition of claim 770, in the form of a melt blend.

797. The composition of claim 770, in the form of a cooled, solidified blend.

798. The composition of claim 770, in particulate, granulate or pelletized form.

786. A composition of matter capable of being formed into an article having substantial dimensional stability comprising:

(a) destructurized starch, and

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups, and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of component (b), wherein (b) and (c) are present in a combined amount sufficient to effectuate dimensional stability and enhance at least one desired physical property of said article.

787. The composition of claim 786, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

788. The composition of claim 787, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisobutylenes, poly(vinyl chlorides), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes;

polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

789. The composition of claim 786, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

790. The composition of claim 789, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methacrylate copolymers (EMA), styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

clock copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane=esters and mixtures thereof.

791. The composition of claim 786, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise form about 1 percent to about 99 percent by weight of the total composition.

792. The composition of claim 791, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 80 percent to about 10 percent by weight of the total composition.

793. The composition of claim 792, wherein components (b) and (c) comprise from about 40 percent to about 10 percent by weight of the total composition.

799. The composition of claim 786, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

800. The composition of claim 786, further comprising an agriculturally active compound.

801. The composition of claim 786, in the form of a melt blend or a cooled solidified blend.

802. The composition of claim 786, in particulate, granulate or pelletized form.

803. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups, said polymers and copolymers being present in an amount effective to enhance at least one physical property of an article made from said mixture (component (b));

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effectuate destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

804. The product of claim 803, wherein component (b) is obtained by polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic acid anhydride, itaconic acid, itaconic acid anhydride and combinations and mixtures thereof, with subsequent salt formation of at least part of the carboxyl groups.

805. The product of claim 803, wherein component (b) is obtained by copolymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid and combinations and mixtures thereof, with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of ethylene, butylene, isobutylene, propylene, isoprene, butadiene and styrene and combinations and mixtures thereof, with subsequent salt formation.

806. The product or claim 803, wherein said copolymer is a salt of an ethylene-acrylic-acid copolymer or a salt of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer.

807. The product of claim 803, wherein component (b) comprises carboxylate groups of the formula

808. The product of claim 803, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 5 percent to about 80 percent based the total amount of component (b).

809. The product of claim 803, wherein the amount of carboxyl and carboxylate containing monomer in component (b) is from about 3 mole percent to about 40 mole percent, based on the total amount of component (b).

810. The product of claim 803, wherein the degree of neutralization is from about 40 percent to about 90 percent.

811. The product of claim 803, wherein the weight percent ratio of destructurized starch to component (b) is from about 1:

99 to about 99;

1.

812. The product of claim 803, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature above its melting point and glass transition temperature.

813. The product of claim 803, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

814. The product of claim 812, wherein the destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature form about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

815. The product of claim 812, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

816. The product of claim 815, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

820. The product of claim 803, further comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

821. The product of claim 803, in the form of a granulate.

822. The product of claim 803, in the form of a pellet.

823. The product of claim 803, in the form of a powder.

826. The product of claim 821, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

827. The product of claim 822, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

828. The product of claim 823, further processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

832. The product of claim 821, 822, or 823 wherein the further processing comprises foaming, filming, compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extruding, co-extruding, vacuum-forming, thermo-forming and combinations thereof.

817. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch product having substantial dimensional stability formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to effect destructurization of said starch and form a substantially homogenous melt;

3) shaping said melt into an article; and

4) allowing said shaped article to cool to a substantially dimensionally stable thermoplastic product.

818. The product of claim 817, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

819. The product of claim 817, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

824. The product of claim 817, further comprising at least one material selected form the group consisting of:

adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

825. The product of claim 817, in the form of a granulate, pellet or powder.

829. The product of claim 825, further melted and processed to form a shaped article selected from the group consisting of containers, bottles, pipes, rods, packaging material, sheets, foams, films, sacks, bags and pharmaceutical capsules.

830. The product of claim 825, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides), and combinations and mixtures thereof.

831. The product of claim 825, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates or polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers, block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane-esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

833. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by a process comprising the steps of:

1) providing a mixture of starch and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups, said polymers and copolymers being present in an amount effective to enhance the physical properties of an article made from said mixture (component (b)); and

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

834. The melt of claim 833, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out in the presence of at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, fillers, lubricants, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, chemical modifiers, flow accelerators, coloring agents, pigments and mixtures thereof.

835. The melt of claim 833, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 240°

C.

836. The melt of claim 833, wherein destructurization of the starch is carried out at a temperature from about 130°

C. to about 190°

C.

837. The melt of claim 836, wherein the melt is formed at a pressure from the minimum pressure necessary to avoid formation of water vapor under the applied temperature to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

838. The melt of claim 837, wherein the heat and pressure are maintained until the starch has undergone the specific narrow endothermic transition just prior to its endothermic change characteristic of oxidative and thermal degradation.

839. A thermoplastic destructurized-starch substantially homogenous melt formed by the process comprising:

1) providing a mixture comprising;

(a) starch;

(b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polymers and copolymers that contain carboxylic groups at least partially present in the form of salts, wherein said polymers or copolymers do not contain further functional groups; and

(c) at least one substantially water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer that does not fall within the definition of (b);

2) heating said mixture in a closed volume under sufficient temperature and pressure for a time long enough to destructurize said starch and form said melt.

840. The melt of claim 839, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinyl polymers, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyacetals, thermoplastic polycondensates, polyarylethers, thermoplastic polyimides, polyhydroxybutyrate, high molar-mass substantially water-insoluble or crystallizable poly(alkylene oxides) and combinations and mixtures thereof.

841. The melt of claim 839, wherein component (c) is selected from the group consisting of alkylene/vinyl ester-copolymers, alkylene/acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, ABS copolymers, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, alkylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates of polymethacrylates, partially hydrolyzed copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid esters/acrylonitrile copolymers and hydrolysates thereof, acrylamide/acrylonitrile copolymers block copolymers of amide-ethers, amide-esters;

block copolymers of urethane-ethers, urethane=esters and combinations and mixtures thereof.

842. The melt of claim 839, wherein the mixture further comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of adjuvants, lubricants, flow accelerators, mold release agents, plasticizers, foaming agents, stabilizers, extenders, coloring agents, pigments, chemical modifiers and mixtures thereof.

843. A blended polymeric material obtained from a melt comprising a water-containing destructurized starch and at least one essentially water-insoluble synthetic thermoplastic polymer.

844. The polymeric material of claim 843, wherein thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, vinylpolymers, polyacetals (POM);

polycondensates, thermoplastic polyesters, polycarbonates, poly(alkylene terephthalates) polyarylethers;

thermoplastic polyimides;

polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and high molecular weight essentially water-insoluble polyalkylene oxides, and combinations and mixtures thereof and copolymers comprises thereof.

845. The polymeric material of claim 844, wherein said thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylene (PE), polyisobutylenes, polypropylenes, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly(vinyl acetates), polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles (PAN), polyvinylcarbazols (PVK), polyamides (PA), essentially water-insoluble poly(acrylic acid esters) and essentially water-insoluble poly(methacrylic acid esters), copolymers, combinations and mixtures thereof.

846. The polymeric material of claim 844, wherein said thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene/vinyl acetate-copolymers (EVA), ethylene/vinyl alcohol-copolymers (EVAL), ethylene/acrylic acid-copolymers (EAA), ethylene/ethyl acrylate-copolymers (EEA), ethylene/methyl acrylate-copolymers (EMA), Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-copolymers (ABS), styrene/acrylonitrile-copolymers (SAN), polyacetals and copolymers, combinations and mixtures thereof.

847. The polymeric material of claim 843, wherein the ratio of the water-containing destructurized starch to synthetic polymer is from about 0.1:

99.9 to about 99.9;

0.1, wherein the water-containing starch comprises at least about 50 percent by weight of the entire composition.

848. The polymeric material of claim 847, wherein the ratio of the synthetic polymer to the starch/water component is from about 0.5 to about 5% and about 99.5 to about 95% by weight.

849. The polymeric material of claim 848, wherein said starch is selected from the group consisting of chemically substantially non-modified starch in the form of carbohydrates of natural, vegetable origin composed mainly of amylose or amylopectin or amylose and amylopectin.

850. The polymeric material of claim 849, wherein said starch is mixed with at least one synthetic polymer and heated for destructurization in a closed volume for a time long enough to effect destructurization at a temperature from about 105°

C. to about 190°

C.

851. The polymeric material of claim 850, wherein destructurization is carried out at a pressure form about zero to about 150×

10⁵ N/m².

852. The polymeric material of claim 851, wherein the pressure is less than or equal to about 75×

10⁵ N/m².

853. The polymeric material of claim 852, wherein the pressure is less than or equal to about 50×

10⁵ N/m².

854. The polymeric material of claim 843, wherein the starch has a water content in the range from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of the starch/water component.

855. The polymeric material of claim 854, wherein the starch/synthetic polymer mixture contains extenders, fillers, lubricants, plasticizers or coloring agents.

856. The polymeric material of claim 855, comprising up to about 50% by weight of the total composition of at least one extender.

857. The polymeric material of claim 856, comprising from about 0.02 percent to about 3 percent, by weight of at least one organic filler.

858. The polymeric material of claim 857, comprising from about 0.5 weight percent to about 15 weight percent plasticizer.

859. The polymeric material of claim 858, comprising from about 0.001 weight percent to about 10 weight percent coloring agent.

860. The polymeric material of claim 859, wherein the plasticizer and water content does not exceed about 25% by weight of the total composition.

861. The polymeric material of claim 860, wherein the blended starch contains at least one active ingredient selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, agriculturally active compounds and combinations and mixtures thereof.

862. The polymeric material of claim 843, in the form of a melt.

863. The polymeric material of claim 862, in the form of a cooled, solidified melt.

865. The polymeric material of claim 843, in the form of a carrier for active ingredients.

864. A method of producing a polymeric material comprising a modified destructurized starch and a substantially water-insoluble synthetic thermoplastic polymer comprising the steps of heating a starch having a water content from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight based on the starch/water component in a closed volume to elevated temperatures thereby at elevated pressures for a time long enough to form a melt;

and mixing into said starch at least one essentially water-insoluble synthetic thermoplastic polymer before or during melt formation to make a blend.

866. The process of claim 864, further comprising the step of shaping said blend by injection molding, blow molding, extrusion or coextrusion, compression molding or vacuum forming.

867. Shaped articles produced by the process of claim 866.

868. The articles of claim 867, in the form of bottles, sheets, films, packaging materials, pipes, rods, laminates, sacks, bags or pharmaceutical capsules, granules or powders.