Solid articles from poly alpha-1,3-glucan and wood pulp

1. A solid article comprising:

(a) from 50 to 90% by wt. poly alpha-1,3-glucan; and

(b) from 10 to 50% by wt. wood pulp.

2. The solid article of claim 1 , further comprising: plasticizers, tougheners and/or fibrillar strengthening agents.

3. The solid article of claim 2 , wherein the plasticizer is glycerol.

4. The solid article of claim 1 , in the form of sheets, composites, laminates and molded parts.

5. A process for making a solid article comprising:

(a) preparing a poly alpha-1,3-glucan wet cake comprising;

(i) heating an enzyme reaction solution comprising an aqueous basic buffered solution of S. salivarius gtfJ enzyme, sucrose and, optionally, antimicrobial agent to make a slurry containing poly alpha-1,3-glucan;

(ii) filtering the slurry to isolate the poly alpha-1,3-glucan in the form of a wet cake; and

(iii) washing the wet cake with water;

(b) preparing a mixture from the wet cake with wood pulp, water and, optionally, plasticizers, tougheners and/or fibrillar strengthening agents;

(c) homogenizing the mixture;

(d) removing some water to form a flowable or malleable material;

(e) forming the flowable or malleable material into a shape; and

(f) drying the shape to form a solid article.

6. A solid article prepared according to claim 5 .