Patent ID: 6878199

Claim:
A process for forming a biodegradable material by comprising: (a) forming a pre-gelled starch suspension, “the pre-gel,”produced from approximately 2.5-15% potato starch by weight of the pre-gel, and approximately 75-97% water by weight of the pre-gel such that the pre-gelled suspension is maintained at temperatures between 0-60° C.; (b) mixing together wood fibers or wood flour having an aspect ratio between approximately 1:2 and 1:8, a pre-gelled starch suspension produced from approximately 15% corn starch by weight of the pre-gel and approximately 85% water by weight of the pre-gel, and a native starch to form a homogeneous mixture; (c) adding to the pre-gelled starch suspension the homogeneous mixture to form a final homogenous moldable composition; and (d) molding the homogenous moldable composition with heat to form a biodegradable material.