Patent ID: RE39339

Claim:
A starch-based composition for molding into an article having a starch-bound cellular matrix, the starch-based composition comprising water, a starch-based binder in a concentration greater than about 20% by weight of the starch-based composition, and a fibrous material having an average fiber length greater than about 2 mm and an aspect ratio greater than about 10:1, wherein the fibers are substantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the starch-based compositions, wherein the starch-based binder includes a substantially ungelatinized component comprising unmodified starch granules in an amount in a range from about 50% to about 90% by weight of the starch-based binder and a substantially gelatinized component comprising gelatinized starch in an amount in a range from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the starch-based binder prior to molding the composition into the article.