Method for removing additives from polymer materials

Abstract

A second aspect relates to a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained or obtainable by the process of the first aspect. The third aspect relates to the second aspect of the use of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers for textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, plastic applications, automotive applications, electronic applications, and the fourth aspect relates to a method for producing a product, the method comprises (I) providing a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of a second aspect; (II) preparing textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive parts, electronic parts from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer provided in (I). In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a process comprising a further step of converting a re-obtained polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained by the process according to the first aspect to obtain a polymer product. A sixth aspect relates to a process comprising a further step of converting a residue obtainable or obtained by a first aspect process, and / or converting an elastic fiber residue obtainable or obtained by a first aspect process to obtain one or more monomers, polymers or polymer products.

Description

[0001] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing additives from a polymeric material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and additives, the method comprising: (a) providing the polymeric material and providing a first solvent system and / or a second solvent system; (b) contacting the polymeric material with the first solvent system at a temperature T1 <170°C to obtain a first solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymeric material depleted of said additives and containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, wherein the first solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein (s1.1) the solvent system has energy (δD) with respect to the dispersion forces from intermolecular forces. ss ), the energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ) and the energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss The Hansen solubility parameter of ) satisfies equation 1 (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)² [Equation 1]; (s1.2) Each solvent in the solvent system has a boiling point of at least 150°C at 1013 hPa; and / or (c) contacting the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) with the second solvent system at a temperature T2, wherein T2 > T1 and T2 is at least 1 K, preferably at least 7 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the second solvent system, thereby obtaining a second solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally rich in additives compared to the second solvent system provided in (a); and regenerating the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer from the obtained second solvent system; wherein the second solvent system comprises one or more solvents, and (s2.1) has energy (δD) with respect to the dispersion forces from between molecules. ss ), the energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ) and the energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss The Hansen solubility parameter of ) satisfies equation 2 (8.8)² ≥ 4(δD) ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² +(δH ss-4.5)² [Equation 2], (s2.2) Each solvent in the solvent system has a boiling point of at least 160°C at 1013 hPa; and (s2.3) does not include solvents having functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0002] The second aspect relates to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based polymer obtained or available by the method of the first aspect. The third aspect relates to the use of the PET-based PET polymer of the second aspect for textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, plastic applications, automotive applications, and electronic applications. The fourth aspect relates to a method for preparing a product, the method comprising (I) providing the PET-based PET polymer of the second aspect; and (II) preparing textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive parts, and electronic parts from the PET-based PET polymer provided in (I). In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a method comprising the additional step of converting a re-obtained PET-based polymer according to the method of the first aspect to obtain a polymer product. The sixth aspect relates to a method comprising the additional steps of converting residues obtainable or available by the method of the first aspect, and / or converting resilient fiber residues obtainable or available by the method of the first aspect to obtain one or more monomers, polymers, or polymer products.

[0003] The demand for polymer materials has increased dramatically over the past few decades. However, poor biodegradability has led to a large amount of plastic waste, which is often incinerated in Europe, losing valuable materials and generating huge CO2 emissions. Even worse, some materials end up in landfills due to poor biodegradability. Polymer materials have been widely used in packaging, such as beverage or food packaging. Today, the vast majority of food and beverages are packaged in plastic bottles and containers made of polymer materials, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is also a major component of clothing today. Given that these materials typically have poor biodegradability and are still valuable products, the recycling and reuse of these plastics is highly desirable.

[0004] Although recycling processes have been employed to transform waste materials into new production materials, many issues remain related to the recycling and recovery of polymer materials. Waste packaging often includes mixtures of different polymer materials that also contain additives. The same applies to textiles that also contain significant amounts of polymer materials supplemented with additives.

[0005] To date, no known process exists for removing additives from polymeric materials containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET), particularly since PET does not degrade by removal. Another disadvantage is the need for toxic solvents and / or the requirement to use large quantities of solvent.

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem behind this invention is to provide an economical process for recycling polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers that overcomes these disadvantages and, in particular, enables the precise removal of additives and / or additional polymers on the one hand, and the recovery of undegraded polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers on the other hand, while using a relatively small amount of solvent.

[0007] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for removing additives from a polymer material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and additives.

[0008] The method includes:

[0009] (a) Provide the polymer material and provide a first solvent system and / or a second solvent system;

[0010] (b) The polymer material is contacted with a first solvent system at a temperature T1 < 170°C to obtain a first solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate.

[0011] The first solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein

[0012] (s1.1) This solvent system has the following Hansen solubility parameters.

[0013] -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ),

[0014] -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as

[0015] -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ),

[0016] It satisfies equation 1

[0017] (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)²

[0018] [Equation 1];

[0019] (s1.2) Each solvent in the solvent system has a boiling point of at least 150°C at 1013 hPa;

[0020] and / or

[0021] (c) Contacting the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) with a second solvent system at a temperature T2, wherein T2 > T1 and T2 is at least 1 K, preferably at least 7 K, lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the second solvent system, thereby obtaining a second solvent system rich in dissolved PET and optionally rich in additives compared to the second solvent system provided in (a); and re-obtaining a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate from the obtained second solvent system;

[0022] The second solvent system comprises one or more solvents, and

[0023] (s2.1) has the following Hansen solubility parameters.

[0024] -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ),

[0025] -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as

[0026] -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ),

[0027] It satisfies equation 2

[0028] (8.8)² ≥ 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)²

[0029] [Equation 2],

[0030] (s2.2) Each solvent in this solvent system has a boiling point of at least 160°C at 1013 hPa; and

[0031] (s2.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0032] Surprisingly, all solvent systems having the Hansen parameters satisfying Equation 1 (s1.1) and meeting requirements (s1.2) and optionally (s1.3) were found to efficiently remove the additive from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer in step (b) without negatively impacting the regenerated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, i.e., at least the number-average molecular weight Mn of the regenerated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer was not adversely affected—the Mn of the regenerated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer was always greater than or at least equal to the Mn of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer contained in the initially provided material. This also applies to the dissolution in step (c) using solvent systems satisfying (s2.1), (s2.2), and (s2.3), i.e., this also results in an undegraded regenerated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer. This provides the significant advantage of being able to directly reuse the regenerated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer. Obtaining undegraded polyalkylene terephthalate (PPT)-based polymers enables further processing of PPT-based polymers in a preferably closed-loop recycling process. Preferably, this allows for the recycling or recyclability of colored polymer materials, preferably derived from textiles, fibers, and / or packaging. Of course, the reclaimed material can also be used for any further applications, and there are no limitations in this regard.

[0033] Regarding the first solvent system, 4(δD) ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)² is equal to or less than (11) 2 Any solvent system of (i.e., 121) is suitable for dissolving the additive while leaving the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate almost completely insoluble. Regarding the second solvent system, 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)² is greater than (8.8) 2 (i.e., 77.44) Any solvent system is unsuitable for dissolving additives and / or polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate, and 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)² is equal to or less than (8.8) 2Any solvent system (i.e., 77.44) is suitable for dissolving additives and polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate. In the case where two or more solvents are part of the first or second solvent system, i.e., n solvents, where n is an integer, n ≥ 2 and i = 1…n, the resulting mixture is calculated with respect to δD. ss δH ss and δP ss The Hansen solubility parameter for each item (the percentage of each solvent in the solvent system is known) is used as δD for each S(i) from n solvents. si δH si and δP si The weighted arithmetic mean. The Hansen parameter is available in BIOVIA COSMOquick 2022.

[0034] Considering the three-dimensional form given by, for example, Equation 2 in three-dimensional Hansen space, it forms a structure centered at δD. c =20, δP c = 11.8 and δH c A sphere with a radius r of 8.8 and a distance of 4.5. According to Charles Hansen, the dispersion parameter value needs to be doubled to achieve the spherical form. Since negative values ​​are impossible for δH, the Hansen sphere can also be considered as a dome, i.e., a hemisphere. The same principle applies to the three-dimensional form given by Equation 1 in three-dimensional Hansen space.

[0035] Regarding step (b), "rich in dissolved additives" means that the total additives contained in the material provided in (a) and the total polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, respectively, are 100% by weight, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, and more preferably at least 95% by weight, of the additives contained in the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate contained therein, dissolved in a solvent system. Regarding step (c), “rich in dissolved poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer and optionally rich in additives” means that the total additives and total poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer contained in the material provided in (a) are 100% by weight, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, and more preferably at least 95% by weight, respectively, dissolved in the solvent system. Generally, “rich in components” with respect to the solvent system means that the respective components, which were 100% by weight, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, and more preferably at least 95% by weight in the material before contact with the solvent system, are no longer present in the material (the solvent system has been in contact with the material) but are dissolved in the solvent system. The same considerations also apply to residues of polymeric materials that are depleted of additives and contain polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate. Depleted in relation to residues of polymeric materials means that each of the additives originally included in the polymeric material provided in (a) is 100% by weight, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, more preferably at least 70% by weight, more preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, and more preferably at least 95% by weight, of the additives, preferably the colorants in the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer contained therein, which are removed therefrom.

[0036] In some embodiments of the method, in the first solvent system used for step (b)

[0037] (s1.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0038] In some embodiments of the method, in the first solvent system used for step (b)

[0039] (s1.3a) Solvents that do not include those having functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), secondary amine (-NH-), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH);

[0040] And / or, preferably and,

[0041] In the second solvent system used in step (i)

[0042] (s2.3a) Solvents that do not include those having functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), secondary amine (-NH-), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0043] temperature

[0044] In some embodiments of the method, the contact in (b) is performed at a temperature T1 in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 100°C to < 170°C, more preferably in the range of 110°C to < 170°C, more preferably in the range of 110°C to 165°C, and even more preferably in the range of 120°C to 150°C.

[0045] In some embodiments of the method, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2 in the range of 160°C to temperature T, which is at least 1 K, preferably at least 7 K, lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the solvent system.

[0046] additive

[0047] In some embodiments of the method, the additive is selected from the group consisting of softeners, waterproofing agents, flame retardants, UV filters, plasticizers, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0048] The softener is preferably selected from the group consisting of: silicone-based softeners, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amino acids, fatty acid derivatives, fatty amino acid derivatives, polyethylene, alkyl imidazoline onion salts, bisquaternary ammonium salts, and mixtures of two or more thereof, wherein "fatty" refers to an alkyl chain having 8 to 22 carbon atoms; more preferably selected from the group consisting of: polydiorganosiloxanes (preferably polydimethylsiloxane and / or derivatives of polydimethylsiloxane), fatty alcohols, condensation products of fatty amino acids and ethylene oxide, ethoxylated fatty acids, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, paraffin wax, oxidized polyethylene wax, optionally combined with a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is preferably selected from N + R 1 R 2 R3 R 4 The group, where R 1 and R 2 Independently selected from C1 to C3 alkyl groups and optionally substituted with hydroxyl groups, and R 3 and R 4 The ammonium compound is independently selected from C8 to C22 alkyl and C2 to C4 alkyl-C(=O)-O-C8 to C22 alkyl; wherein the ammonium compound is more preferably selected from dimethyl (dihydrotallow) ammonium, dimethyl distearate ammonium and mixtures thereof, wherein the positive charge of the quaternary ammonium compound is preferably compensated by one or more anions, which are preferably selected from chloride ions, methyl sulfate ions and mixtures thereof.

[0049] The waterproofing agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of: siloxanes (preferably unsaturated (e.g., vinyl-terminated) polydialkylsiloxanes, hexamethyldisiloxane, or mixtures of two or more thereof), silanes (preferably hexamethoxysilane), paraffins (preferably in dispersions with aluminum salts, more preferably stearic acid in aluminum or zirconium salts), aliphatic modified melamines (preferably stearic acid-melamine derivatives), silicones, tin octanoate, fluorocarbons (preferably selected from perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), or mixtures of two or more thereof), acrylic polymers containing perfluoroalkyl chains, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO), or mixtures of two or more thereof. Regarding acrylic polymers containing perfluoroalkyl chains, the length of the perfluoroalkyl side chain is in the range of 8 to 10 carbon atoms. Small spacer groups (primarily ethylene) can be modified to improve the emulsification and solubility of the polymer. Comonomers such as stearyl methacrylate or lauryl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, hydroxymethyl functional or epoxy functional acrylates, and block copolymers derived from α,ω-dihydroxydimethylpolysiloxane.

[0050] The flame retardant is preferably selected from the group consisting of: halogenated flame retardants (preferably hexabromocyclododecane, decabromodiphenyl ether, bis(hexachlorocyclopentadiene)cyclooctane, tridibromopropyl phosphate, decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO) and mixtures of two or more thereof), non-halogenated flame retardants, phosphorescent flame retardants, phosphorless flame retardants (preferably selected from the group consisting of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and mixtures of two or more thereof), halogen-free compounds and phormol compounds, compounds having halogens or phormol compounds, metal hydroxides and mixtures of two or more thereof; more preferably selected from the group consisting of: oligomerization reaction products of urea with hydroxymethylphosphonium chloride, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0051] UV filters are preferably selected from the group consisting of: hydroxybenzophenone derivatives (preferably from the group consisting of hydroxyphenyltriazine), benzotriazole (preferably 2-(2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)), oxaloaniline, hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole, derivatives of hindered amine UV stabilizers (HALS derivatives), benzothiazide, salicylates, cinnamic acid esters, resorcinol monobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, cyanoacrylate, benzophenone, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0052] The plasticizer is preferably selected from the group consisting of phthalates, adipates, terephthalates, trialkyl trimellitate, 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0053] In some embodiments of the method, colorants and optical brighteners are not included as additives.

[0054] In some embodiments of the method, the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) that is depleted of the additive and contains a polymer based on a polyalkylene terephthalate and / or the re-obtained polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer in (c) consists of at least 95% by weight of a polymer based on a polyalkylene terephthalate, preferably in the range of 97% to 98% by weight.

[0055] solvent system

[0056] In some embodiments of the method, a first solvent system and / or a second solvent system are based on a total weight of 100 wt%, at least 90 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, and more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, each solvent system consisting of one or more solvents.

[0057] In some embodiments of the method, the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system, based on a total weight of 100 wt%, at least 90 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, and more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, are composed of a solvent that satisfies Equation 1.

[0058] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylphenylacetamide, 1,4-benzoquinone, acetophenone, dimethyl terephthalate, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, 2-phenylacetophenone, N-methylcaprolactam, methyl benzoate, methyl-4-methoxybenzoate, butylene carbonate, and propylene glycol dibenzoic acid. Esters, N-ethylpyrrolidone, benzophenone, dibenzyl malonate, N-ethyl-caprolactam, methyl 2-(5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)acetate (FAME), acetone, N-methoxypropylpyrrolidone, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, cyclohexane carbonate, N-methoxyethylpyrrolidone, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide, phenyl acetate, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidone-2-one acetate (HEPAc) N,N-Diethylbenzamide, Isopropyl benzoate, Cyclohexylphenyl ketone, Ethyl phenylacetate, Phenylacetate, N-Methylmorpholine, Benzyl propionate, Benzyl acetate, Neopentyl glycol dibenzoate, Tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, N-Methylimidazolium, Benzyl butyrate, 2-Pyrrolidone, 2-Phenoxyethanol propionate, 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, N,N-Dipropylbenzamide, N,N-Dimethylacetamide N,N-Diethylacetamide, Cyrene, Propylene carbonate, Caprolactone, Dimethyl isosorbide, N-Butylpyrrolidone, Tert-Butylpyrrolidone, Methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), Gamma-valerol (GVL), δ-valerol, Gamma-butyrolactone, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxyvalerate (Rhodiasolv Polarclean), Caprolactam, Phenylacetyl acetate, Methyl phenylacetate, Benzyl benzoate, N,N-Dimethyllacticamide (Agnique AMD 3L), and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0059] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of dihydro-L-glucanone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), γ-valerolactone (GVL), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxyvalerate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0060] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyranoate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and GVL.

[0061] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyranoate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

[0062] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), phenethyl acetate and GVL.

[0063] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), and phenethyl acetate.

[0064] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cyrene, and mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), acetophenone, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0065] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cyrene, and mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), acetophenone, and mixtures of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP) and acetophenone.

[0066] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least N-butylpyrrolidone, and based on the total weight of the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100 wt%, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably at least 99 wt%, more preferably at least 99.5 wt%, more preferably at least 99.9 wt%, are N-butylpyrrolidone, and more preferably, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is N-butylpyrrolidone. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 101 K to 81 K lower than the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone, preferably in the range of 91 K to 81 K lower than the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone), preferably in the range of 180°C to 200°C, more preferably in the range of 185°C to 195°C, or the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 61 to 41 K lower than the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone, preferably in the range of 56 to 46 K lower than the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of N-butylpyrrolidone at the temperature T at which the method is operated. The autogenous pressure can be determined and / or adjusted by a technician based on the vapor pressure profile of N-butylpyrrolidone at a given temperature T. The vapor pressure profile of N-butylpyrrolidone is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging (e.g., via a purge valve) to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower of 2000 hPa, and preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself within a closed system, for example, a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0067] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least propylene carbonate, and based on the total weight of the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, and more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is propylene carbonate. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 102 K to 82 K lower than the boiling point of propylene carbonate, preferably in the range of 92 K to 82 K lower than the boiling point of propylene carbonate. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling point of propylene carbonate), preferably in the range of 185°C to 205°C, more preferably in the range of 190°C to 200°C, or the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 57 to 37 K lower than the boiling point of propylene carbonate, preferably in the range of 52 to 42 K lower than the boiling point of propylene carbonate. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of propylene carbonate at the temperature T at which the method is operated. Those skilled in the art can determine and / or adjust the autogenous pressure based on the vapor pressure profile of propylene carbonate at a given temperature T. The vapor pressure profile of propylene carbonate is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging (e.g., via a purge valve) to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower of 2000 hPa, and more preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself within a closed system, for example, a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0068] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least acetophenone, and based on the total weight of the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, is acetophenone, and more preferably, the solvent is acetophenone. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to <170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 62 K to 42 K lower than the boiling point of acetophenone, preferably in the range of 52 K to 42 K lower than the boiling point of acetophenone. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling point of acetophenone), preferably in the range of 165°C to 185°C, more preferably in the range of 170°C to 180°C, or the contact in (c) can be carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 37 to 17 K lower than the boiling point of acetophenone, preferably in the range of 32 to 22 K lower than the boiling point of acetophenone. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of acetophenone at the temperature T at which the method is operated. A person skilled in the art can determine and / or adjust the autogenous pressure based on the vapor pressure profile of acetophenone at a given temperature T. The vapor pressure profile of acetophenone is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging (e.g., via a purge valve) to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower of 2000 hPa, and more preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself within a closed system, for example, a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0069] In some embodiments of the method, the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and based on the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system, 100% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, is DMSO, and more preferably, the solvent is DMSO. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 49 K to 29 K lower than the boiling point of DMSO, preferably in the range of 39 K to 29 K lower than the boiling point of DMSO. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 1 K lower than the boiling point of DMSO), preferably in the range of 170°C to 188°C, more preferably in the range of 175°C to 188°C, or the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 19 to 1 K lower than the boiling point of DMSO, preferably in the range of 14 to 1 K lower than the boiling point of DMSO. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of DMSO at the temperature T at which the method is operated. Those skilled in the art can determine and / or adjust the autogenous pressure based on the vapor pressure profile of DMSO at a given temperature T. The vapor pressure profile of DMSO is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower of 2000 hPa, and preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging (e.g., via a purging valve). The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself in a closed system, for example, pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0070] In some embodiments of the method, one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least dihydro-L-glucanone (Cyrene), and based on the total weight of the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100 wt%, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably at least 99 wt%, more preferably at least 99.5 wt%, more preferably at least 99.9 wt%, is Cyrene, and more preferably the solvent is Cyrene. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 86 K to 66 K lower than the boiling point of Cyrene, preferably in the range of 76 K to 66 K lower than the boiling point of Cyrene. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling point of Cyrene), preferably in the range of 160°C to 180°C, more preferably in the range of 160°C to 170°C, or the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 66 to 46 K lower than the boiling point of Cyrene, preferably in the range of 66 to 56 K lower than the boiling point of Cyrene. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of Cyrene at the temperature T at which the method is operated. A person skilled in the art can determine and / or adjust the autogenous pressure based on the vapor pressure profile of Cyrene at a given temperature T. Cyrene's vapor pressure profile is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging (e.g., via a purge valve) to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower 2000 hPa, and more preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself within a closed system, for example, pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0071] In some embodiments of this method, ethyl benzoate and butyl benzoate are not included as solvents.

[0072] GVL

[0073] In some embodiments of the method, the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system comprises GVL, wherein the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system is 100 wt% respectively, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, and more preferably the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system consists of GVL. In some embodiments, the contact in (b) is performed at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 10°C to <170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 140°C to 160°C, more preferably in the range of 150°C to 160°C, or the contact in (b) is performed at a temperature T1, which can be in the range of 65 K to 45 K lower than the boiling point of GVL, preferably in the range of 55 K to 45 K lower than the boiling point of GVL. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 160°C to temperature T (which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling point of GVL), preferably in the range of 175°C to 195°C, more preferably in the range of 180°C to 190°C, or the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2, which can be in the range of 30 to 10 K lower than the boiling point of GVL, preferably in the range of 25 to 15 K lower than the boiling point of GVL. The contact in (b) and / or, preferably, and in (c), is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the method is operated at an autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of GVL at the temperature T at which the method is operated. A person skilled in the art can determine and / or adjust the autogenous pressure based on the vapor pressure profile of GVL at a given temperature T. The vapor pressure profile of the GVL is known to those skilled in the art. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging (e.g., via a purge valve) to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and a lower 2000 hPa, and more preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure generated by the production system itself within a closed system, for example, pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0074] Polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate

[0075] In some embodiments of the method, based on a total weight of 100 wt% of the polymer material provided in (a), at least 40 wt% of the polymer material provided in (a), more preferably at least 50 wt%, more preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 80 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably at least 99 wt% is a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and additives.

[0076] In some embodiments of the method, based on a total weight of 100 wt% of the polymer material provided in (a), at least 50 wt% of the polymer material, preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 80 wt%, and more preferably at least 90 wt% is a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, and the polymer material is an additive in the range of 0.01 wt% to 20 wt%, preferably in the range of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%.

[0077] "Polyalkyl terephthalate-based polymers" consist of oxyethylidene units or oxybutylidene units and oxyterephthaloyl units, wherein, in the case of oxyethylidene units, the oxyterephthaloyl units in the range of 0 to 5 mol-% are replaced by oxyisophthaloyl units and / or the oxyethylidene units in the range of 0 to 49 mol-% are replaced by oxymethylenecyclohexylmethylene units. Preferably, the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate is selected from the group consisting of: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-1,4-cyclohexyldimethyl terephthalate)), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and mixtures of two or more of these polymers, or the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate is selected from the group consisting of: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and mixtures of two or three of these polymers. In some embodiments, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises at least 80 wt% of the total weight of the 100 wt% alkylene terephthalate-based polymer, more preferably at least 85 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 96 wt%, more preferably at least 97 wt% PET, and / or, preferably and at most 20 wt% of the total weight of the 100 wt% alkylene terephthalate-based polymer, more preferably at most 15 wt%, more preferably at most 10 wt%, more preferably at most 5 wt%, more preferably at most 4 wt%, more preferably at most 3 wt%, more preferably at most 2 wt%, more preferably at most 1 wt% PETI.

[0078] In some embodiments, "polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers" are polyesters based on 1,4-butanediol or 1,2-ethylenediol, more preferably polyesters selected from the group consisting of: polymers based on 1,4-butanediol and terephthalic acid (polybutylene terephthalate, PBT), polymers based on 1,2-ethylenediol and terephthalic acid (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), copolymers of 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid and terephthalic acid (polybutylene adipate terephthalate, PBAT), polymers of 1,2-ethylenediol and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (polyethylene furandicarboxylate, PEF), and mixtures of two or more of these (co)polymers.

[0079] More preferably, the "polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate" contains at least PET and / or PBT, and more preferably the polyester is PET or PBT or a mixture of PET and PBT.

[0080] More preferably, polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate include or are PET.

[0081] In some embodiments of the method, the residue obtained in (b) and / or the re-obtained residue in (c) have a number-average molecular weight Mn ≥ that of the polymer based on poly(alkylene terephthalate) contained in the material provided in (a).

[0082] In some embodiments of the method, the residue obtained in (b) and / or the re-obtained polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer in (c) have a dispersibility Mw / Mn (mass-average molecular weight Mw divided by number-average molecular weight Mn) of 70% to 95%, preferably 75% to 90%, of the dispersibility Mw / Mn (100%) of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer contained in the polymer material provided in (a).

[0083] ratio

[0084] In some embodiments of the method, a polymeric material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and additives and a solvent system are brought into contact in (b) at a mass-based solvent-to-material ratio in the range of 1:1 to 100:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 50:1, more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 20:1, and even more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 10:1.

[0085] In some embodiments of the method, the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) is brought into contact with the material in (c) in a mass-based solvent system at a ratio in the range of 1:1 to 100:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 50:1, more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 20:1, and even more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 10:1.

[0086] pressure

[0087] In some embodiments of the method, (b) and / or (c) are performed at pressures ranging from 800 to 200,000 hPa. In some embodiments, (b) and / or (c) are performed at pressures ranging from 800 to 1200 hPa.

[0088] Additional steps

[0089] In some embodiments of the method, (b) includes:

[0090] (b.1) Contact the polymer material with the solvent system at a temperature T1 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of polymer material depleted of said additives and containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate;

[0091] (b.2) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate compared to the solvent system provided in (a).

[0092] In some embodiments, the method, (b) includes

[0093] (b.3) Optionally wash away the residues of polymeric material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.2);

[0094] (b.4) Residues of polymeric materials containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.2) or residues of washing polymeric materials containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.3).

[0095] The washing in optional step (b.3) is preferably performed using a solvent system having characteristics (s1.1), (s1.2), and optionally (s1.3) as described above, or a solvent system having characteristics (s2.1), (s2.2), and optionally (s2.3), preferably using one or more solvents or solvent mixtures comprising any one of the groups described above. In some embodiments, the washing is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. In some embodiments, the washing in optional step (b.3) is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, GVL, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. The drying in step (b.4) is preferably carried out under one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: a pressure in the range of 1 to 1013 mbar; a temperature in the range of 50°C to 210°C, preferably in the range of 60°C to 180°C, more preferably in the range of 80°C to 160°C; a drying time in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours; and drying in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, preferably in an atmosphere having at least 90% by volume, more preferably 95% by volume, and more preferably at least 98% by volume of nitrogen. The drying is carried out by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of contact drying, convection drying, and radiation drying.

[0096] In some embodiments of the method, the polymer material provided in (a) additionally comprises elastic fibers. The elastic fibers comprise one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastic fibers, preferably composed thereof, more preferably comprising one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers, wherein the total weight of each elastic fiber is 100 wt% more preferably at least 40 wt%, more preferably at least 45 wt%, more preferably at least 50 wt%, more preferably at least 55 wt%, more preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 65 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 75 wt%, more preferably at least 80 wt%, more preferably at least 85 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 99.9 wt% of the elastic fibers are polyurethane-based elastic fibers.

[0097] In some embodiments of the method, (b.2) includes:

[0098] (b.2.1) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and rich in dissolved elastic fibers compared with the solvent system provided in (a), and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and said elastic fibers and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate;

[0099] (b.2.2) Separate the elastic fiber from the solvent system.

[0100] The separation of elastic fibers (if present in polymer materials) and additives is carried out, for example, by distillation, in which the solvent system is removed and the remaining residue is put into further use.

[0101] In step (c), i.e., when in contact with the second solvent system at temperature T2, the polymer material provided in (a), the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b), the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.2), the washing residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.3), or the drying residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.3) is used.

[0102] In some embodiments of the method, (c) includes:

[0103] (c.1) Contact the residue of the polymer material provided in (a) or the polymer material obtained in (b), (b.2), (b.3) or (b.4) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives;

[0104] (c.2) The solvent system obtained in (c.1) is enriched with dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives compared to the solvent provided in (a), and is cooled to a temperature below T2, preferably below 150°C, more preferably below 140°C, and even more preferably below 120°C, thereby obtaining a precipitated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and a solvent system with poor dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives.

[0105] Optionally, (c) includes heated filtration of a solvent system obtained in (c.1) and (c.2), more preferably in the range of T2 ± 20°C, and more preferably in the range of T2 ± 10°C, enriched with dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally enriched with additives. In heated filtration, the solution, filter, and funnel are heated, preferably to a temperature of T2 ± 20°C or T2 ± 10°C. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the heated filtration is carried out at a pressure of ≥1 bar, more preferably in the range of 1 to 30 bar, preferably in the range of 1 to 10 bar, and more preferably in the range of 1 to 6 bar (heated pressure filtration). Other means and methods for separation are known to those skilled in the art, such as non-heated filtration or centrifugation. In some embodiments, preferably after a solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymers and optionally rich in additives has passed through the filter, the filter is rinsed once or multiple times with a first solvent system, preferably with the same composition as provided in (a) and used in (b), wherein the first solvent system preferably has a temperature T2 ± 20°C or T2 ± 10°C. In some embodiments, preferably, the solvent system to which cooling is applied in (c.2) comprises the solvent system obtained in (c.1) rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymers and optionally rich in additives, which has subjected it to filtration and rising load.

[0106] The cooling temperature is preferably below 160°C, preferably below 150°C, more preferably below 140°C, more preferably below 120°C, and in each case above 0°C, preferably above 5°C, more preferably above 10°C.

[0107] In some embodiments of the method, (b) and / or (c) are performed in a countercurrent mode. For example, if the contact of steps (b) and / or (c) takes place within a container, the solvent system enters the container from one direction (side or top / bottom) and the colored polymer material enters from another, preferably opposite, direction. In a preferred embodiment where a vertically arranged container is used, the solvent system enters the container from the bottom and the colored polymer material enters from the top. In some embodiments of the method, (b) and / or (c) are performed under mechanical mixing, wherein mechanical mixing preferably comprises one or more methods selected from stirring, blending, and sonication.

[0108] In some embodiments, where the polymer material provided in (a) comprises a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, additives, and at least one polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, the polymer material provided in (a) is considered a polymer blend, wherein the at least one polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected in some embodiments from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), natural polymers such as cotton, viscose fiber, and / or flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof. "Polymer blend" means a combination of at least one polymer with at least one additional component (which is at least another polymer), these components being combined with each other in any suitable manner. For example, in the case of at least two polymers, the polymers are mixed, or one or more polymers are embedded in one or more other polymers and / or interwoven with one or more other polymers, or the polymers are arranged in separate layers, and there are also mixed forms of these combinations. PP, PE, PA, and natural polymers such as cotton, viscose fiber, and / or flax largely do not dissolve with the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers, but remain insoluble; however, in some embodiments, the content of PA6, which is a polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, is reduced, and preferably, the polymer material containing the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer provided in (a) contains only less than 10% by weight of PA6. Under the conditions of step (b) as defined above, in the solvent system as defined above, all polymers that do not dissolve with the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, preferably all polymers that do not dissolve with the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, are referred to herein as “insoluble polymers.” In some embodiments, the polymer material is derived from textiles such as clothing, wherein the textiles are preferably subjected to a sorting process before the polymer material is subjected to the method according to the invention. The sorting process preferably includes one or more NIR sorting steps, wherein the textiles are analyzed by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and sorting is performed based on the analysis results and on their composition. Therefore, the polymeric material subjected to the method according to the invention is preferably a pre-sorted, more preferably NIR-pre-sorted textile. The textile has preferably undergone size reduction, more preferably cutting and / or shredding steps. Therefore, the polymeric material subjected to the method according to the invention is preferably a pre-sorted, more preferably NIR-pre-sorted, and / or size-reduced, more preferably shredded textile.In some embodiments, the polymeric material subjected to the method according to the invention is preferably pre-sorted, more preferably NIR pre-sorted, and / or size-reduced, more preferably shredded textile, having a PA6 content of less than 10% by weight, more preferably less than 5% by weight, more preferably less than 4% by weight, more preferably less than 3% by weight, more preferably less than 2% by weight, and more preferably less than 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymeric material. Reducing the PA content in the textile can provide improved quality of the obtained polyester, particularly the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate.

[0109] In some embodiments of the method, if at least one insoluble polymer is present in the polymer material provided in (a), then (c.1) includes:

[0110] (c.1.1) Contact the polymer material provided in (a), the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b), (b.2), (b.3) or (b.4) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer.

[0111] (c.1.2) Optionally, the solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives is separated from the residue to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives, free of insoluble polymers, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer.

[0112] The separation is preferably carried out by heating and filtration.

[0113] The separation in (c.1.2) is preferably carried out by heated filtration, more preferably by heated filtration at a temperature preferably in the range of T2 ± 20°C, and even more preferably at a temperature in the range of T2 ± 10°C. In heated filtration, the solution, filter, and funnel are heated, preferably to a temperature of T2 ± 20°C or T2 ± 10°C. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the heated filtration is carried out at a pressure of ≥ 1 bar, more preferably in the range of 1 to 30 bar, preferably in the range of 1 to 10 bar, and even more preferably in the range of 1 to 6 bar (heated pressure filtration). Other means and methods for separation are known to those skilled in the art, such as non-heated filtration or centrifugation. In some embodiments, preferably after a solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymers and optionally rich in additives has passed through a filter, the filter and the residue containing at least one insoluble polymer (which remains on the filter) are rinsed once or more with a first solvent system, preferably with the same composition as provided in (a) and used in (b), wherein the first solvent system preferably has a temperature T2 ± 20°C or T2 ± 10°C. In some embodiments, preferably, the solvent system to which cooling is applied in (c.2) comprises the solvent system obtained in (c.1) rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymers and optionally rich in additives, which has subjected it to filtration and rising load.

[0114] In some embodiments, the method includes

[0115] (c.1.3) Optionally, wash the residues obtained in (c.1.2) that contain at least one insoluble polymer; and / or

[0116] (c.1.4) Optionally, the residue containing at least one insoluble polymer obtained in (c.1.2) or the residue containing at least one insoluble polymer obtained in (c.1.3) is dried.

[0117] The washing in optional step (c.1.3) is preferably performed using a solvent system having characteristics (s1.1), (s1.2), and optionally (s1.3) as described above, or a solvent system having characteristics (s2.1), (s2.2), and optionally (s2.3), preferably using one or more solvents or solvent mixtures comprising any one of the groups described above. In some embodiments, the washing is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. In some embodiments, the washing in optional step (c.1.3) is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, GVL, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. The drying in step (c.1.4) is preferably carried out under one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: a pressure in the range of 1 to 1013 mbar; a temperature in the range of 50°C to 210°C, preferably in the range of 60°C to 180°C, more preferably in the range of 80°C to 150°C; a drying time in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours; and drying in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, preferably in an atmosphere having at least 90% by volume, more preferably 95% by volume, and even more preferably at least 98% by volume of nitrogen. The drying is carried out by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of contact drying, convection drying, and radiation drying.

[0118] In some embodiments of the method, each of the following is based on a polymer material comprising a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate: the total weight of the polymer material is 100 wt%; at least 40 wt% of the material comprising a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate is a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate, more preferably at least 50 wt%; more preferably at least 60 wt%; more preferably at least 70 wt%; more preferably at least 80 wt%; more preferably at least 90 wt% of the material comprising a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate is a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate; and at most 60 wt% of the material comprising a polymer based on alkylene terephthalate is a polymer different from that based on alkylene terephthalate and at least one additive.

[0119] In some embodiments, the method includes

[0120] (d) Separate the precipitated poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer obtained in (c.2) from the solvent system to obtain the precipitated poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer and the solvent system containing a lean-dissolved poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer and optionally an additive.

[0121] In some embodiments, the method includes

[0122] (e) Optionally wash the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained in (d);

[0123] (f) The precipitate of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained in drying (d) or the precipitate of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained in washing (e).

[0124] The washing in optional step (e) is preferably performed using a solvent system having characteristics (s1.1), (s1.2), and optionally (s1.3) as described above, or a solvent system having characteristics (s2.1), (s2.2), and optionally (s2.3), preferably using one or more solvents or solvent mixtures comprising any one of the groups described above. In some embodiments, the washing is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. In some embodiments, the washing in optional step (e) is performed using a solvent selected from the group consisting of: methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, acetone, water, GVL, or a mixture of two or more of these solvents. The drying in step (f) is preferably carried out under one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of: a pressure in the range of 1 to 1013 mbar; a temperature in the range of 50°C to 210°C, preferably in the range of 60°C to 180°C, more preferably in the range of 80°C to 160°C; a drying time in the range of 30 minutes to 24 hours; and drying in an atmosphere containing nitrogen, preferably in an atmosphere having at least 90% by volume, more preferably 95% by volume, and more preferably at least 98% by volume. The drying is carried out by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of contact drying, convection drying, and radiation drying.

[0125] In some embodiments, the method includes, optionally, after one or more post-processing steps, at least partially recycling the separated solvent system obtained in (b.2) and / or (d) to (b) and / or (c).

[0126] The second aspect - polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate.

[0127] The second aspect of the invention relates to a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained or obtainable by the method of the first aspect, preferably by steps (b), (b.2), (c), (c.2), (d), (e), or (f) of the method of the first aspect, more preferably by step (f). All the details and examples disclosed above with respect to the first aspect also apply to the second aspect.

[0128] Third aspect - Application

[0129] The third aspect of the invention relates to the use of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of the second aspect for applications in textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive, and electronics, preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, footwear, wires, and cables, and more preferably for textiles, fibers, packaging, and plastics, and more preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, and footwear. All the details and embodiments disclosed above with respect to the first aspect also apply to the third aspect.

[0130] Preferably, the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate is used for:

[0131] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0132] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0133] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0134] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0135] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0136] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0137] Aspect 4 - Methods for preparing products

[0138] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for preparing a product, the method comprising:

[0139] (I) Providing a second aspect of a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate;

[0140] (II) Prepare textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive parts, and electronic parts from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers provided in (I).

[0141] All the details and embodiments disclosed above with respect to the first aspect also apply to the fourth aspect.

[0142] Preferably, the following items are prepared in (II).

[0143] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0144] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0145] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0146] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0147] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0148] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0149] Aspect 5 – Methods for conversion (based on polyalkylene terephthalate polymers)

[0150] The fifth aspect of the invention relates to a method preferably according to the first aspect, which includes the following additional steps:

[0151] - The conversion of polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained or re-obtainable according to the method of the first aspect;

[0152] To obtain polymer products.

[0153] All the details and embodiments disclosed above with respect to the first aspect also apply to the fifth aspect. The polymer product to be obtained is as described above with respect to the fourth aspect.

[0154] Aspect 6 – Methods for conversion (residual polymers)

[0155] A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a method preferably according to the first aspect, comprising the following additional steps:

[0156] - The residue obtained or acquired by the method according to the first aspect, preferably obtained or available by step (c.1.2), more preferably by the residue obtained or acquired by the method according to the first aspect, preferably obtained or available by step (c.1.2), comprising at least one insoluble polymer selected from PP, PE, PA, natural polymers, viscose fiber and flax, is converted, and / or

[0157] - The elastic fiber residue that is obtainable or acquireable by the method according to the first aspect, preferably obtainable or acquireable by step (b.2.2);

[0158] To obtain one or more monomers, polymers, or polymer products.

[0159] All the details and embodiments disclosed above with respect to the first aspect also apply to the sixth aspect.

[0160] Preferably, the monomer is a diol or polyol, preferably butanediol; an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde; a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate, preferably methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); an amide, preferably caprolactam; an olefin, preferably styrene, ethylene and norbornene; an alkyne; a (di) ester, preferably methyl methacrylate; a monoacid or diacid, preferably adipic acid or terephthalic acid; a diamine, preferably hexamethylenediamine or nonadiamine; or a sulfone, preferably 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone.

[0161] Preferably, the polymer and / or polymer product comprises polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA 66; polyisocyanate addition polymer, preferably polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyurea or polyisocyanurate (PIR); low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polybutadiene (BR, PBD), poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), poly(trans-1,4-isoprene) Poly(pentadiene), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), polyester (PES), polyethersulfone (PESU), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or copolymers or mixtures thereof.

[0162] Preferably, the polymer and / or polymer product is one or more of the following:

[0163] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0164] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0165] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0166] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0167] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0168] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0169] Preferably, the content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 1% by weight or more, preferably 2% by weight or more, more preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 15% by weight or more, more preferably 30% by weight or more, more preferably 40% by weight or more, more preferably 60% by weight or more, more preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably 95% by weight or more; and / or

[0170] Wherein, the content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or the elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 100 wt% or less, preferably 95 wt% or less, more preferably 90 wt% or less, more preferably 50 wt% or less, more preferably 25 wt% or less, more preferably 10 wt% or less; and

[0171] Preferably, the content is determined based on a source retention and / or separation and / or quality balance and / or certificate declaration chain of custody model, preferably based on quality balance, and preferably based on the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

[0172] The conversion steps to obtain monomers, polymers, or polymer products may include one or more synthetic steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art, independent of those evaluating the novelty and inventive step of the independent claim, preferably come from one or more technical fields of pyrolysis, gasification, remonomerization, depolymerization, synthesis, production of monomers, polymers, and polymer compounds, and / or their further processing (e.g., extrusion, injection molding). Examples of the conversion steps are described in "Industrial Organic Chemistry", Volume 3, Wiley-VCH, 1997, ISBN: 978-3-527-28838-0; "Kunststoffhandbuch", Volume 11 of 17 sub-volumes, Carl Hanser Verlag; especially Volume 6, "Polyamide", 1st edition, 1966; Volume 7, "Polyurethane", 3rd edition, 1993; and Volume 8, "Polyester", 2nd edition, 1973; and "Industrial Organic Chemistry", Volume 3, Wiley-VCH, 1997, ISBN: 978-3-527-28838-0, “Injection Molding Reference Guide,” 4th Edition, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011, ISBN: 978-1466407824, EP 0989146 A1, EP 1460094 A1, WO 2006034800 A1, EP 1529792 A1, WO2006042674 A1, EP 0364854 A2, US 5506275 A, EP 0897402 A1, WO 2015082316 A1, WO2021021855 A1, WO 2021126938 A1, WO 2021021902 A1, WO 2021092311 A1, WO2008155271 A1, WO 2013139827 A1, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0173] The invention is further illustrated by the following embodiments and combinations of embodiments indicated by the corresponding dependencies and backreferences. In particular, it should be noted that in each instance of reference to a series of embodiments, such as in the context of the term "as in any one of embodiments 1 to 4...", each embodiment in this series is intended to clearly disclose to those skilled in the art that the wording of this term should be understood by those skilled in the art to be synonymous with "as in any one of embodiments 1, 2, 3 and 4...".

[0174] 1. A method for removing additives from a polymer material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and an additive.

[0175] The method includes:

[0176] (a) Provide the polymer material and provide a first solvent system and / or a second solvent system;

[0177] (b) The polymer material is contacted with a first solvent system at a temperature T1 < 170°C to obtain a first solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate.

[0178] The first solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein

[0179] (s1.1) This solvent system has the following Hansen solubility parameters.

[0180] -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ),

[0181] -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as

[0182] -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ),

[0183] It satisfies equation 1

[0184] (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)²

[0185] [Equation 1];

[0186] (s1.2) Each solvent in the solvent system has a boiling point of at least 150°C at 1013 hPa;

[0187] and / or

[0188] (c) Contacting the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) with a second solvent system at a temperature T2, wherein T2 > T1 and T2 is at least 1 K, preferably at least 7 K, lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the second solvent system, thereby obtaining a second solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives compared to the second solvent system provided in (a); and re-obtaining the alkyl terephthalate-based polymer from the obtained second solvent system;

[0189] The second solvent system comprises one or more solvents, and

[0190] (s2.1) has the following Hansen solubility parameters.

[0191] -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ),

[0192] -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as

[0193] -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ),

[0194] It satisfies equation 2

[0195] (8.8)² ≥ 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)²

[0196] [Equation 2],

[0197] (s2.2) Each solvent in this solvent system has a boiling point of at least 160°C at 1013 hPa; and

[0198] (s2.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0199] 2. The method as described in Example 1, wherein in the first solvent system used in step (b)

[0200] (s1.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0201] 3. The method as described in Example 1 or 2, wherein the contact in (b) is carried out at a temperature T1 in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 110°C to 165°C, more preferably in the range of 120°C to 150°C.

[0202] 4. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the contact in (c) is carried out at a temperature T2 in the range of 160°C to temperature T, which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the solvent system.

[0203] 5. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of softeners, waterproofing agents, flame retardants, UV filters, plasticizers, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0204] 6. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein colorants and optical brighteners are not included as additives.

[0205] 7. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 6, wherein the solvent system comprises one or more solvents, based on a total weight of 100 wt% of the solvent system, at least 90 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, and more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%.

[0206] 8. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 7, wherein the first solvent system and the second solvent system, based on a total weight of 100 wt% and at least 90 wt%, preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, and more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, are each composed of a solvent satisfying Equation 1.

[0207] 9. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 8, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylphenylacetamide, 1,4-benzoquinone, acetophenone, dimethyl terephthalate, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, 2-phenylacetophenone, N-methylcaprolactam, methyl benzoate, methyl-4-methoxybenzoate, carbonate... Butylene ester, propylene glycol dibenzoate, N-ethylpyrrolidone, benzophenone, dibenzyl malonate, N-ethylcaprolactam, methyl 2-(5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)acetate (FAME), acetone, N-methoxypropylpyrrolidone, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, cyclohexane carbonate, N-methoxyethylpyrrolidone, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide, phenyl acetate, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidine-2- HEPAc (ketone acetate), N,N-diethylbenzamide, isopropyl benzoate, cyclohexylphenyl ketone, ethyl phenyl acetate, phenyl acetate, N-methylmorpholine, benzyl propionate, benzyl acetate, neopentyl glycol dibenzoate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, N-methylimidazolium, benzyl butyrate, 2-pyrrolidone, 2-phenoxyethanol propionate, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, N,N-dipropylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-Diethylacetamide, Cyrene, Propylene carbonate, Caprolactone, Dimethyl isosorbide, N-Butylpyrrolidone, Tert-Butylpyrrolidone, Methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), Gamma-valerol (GVL), δ-valerol, Gamma-butyrolactone, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxyvalerate (Rhodiasolv Polarclean), Caprolactam, Ethyl phenylacetate, Methyl phenylacetate, Benzyl benzoate, N,N-Dimethyllactic acid amide (Agnique AMD 3L), and Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0208] 10. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of dihydro-L-glucosidone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), γ-valerolactone (GVL), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxyvalerate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0209] 11. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyranoate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and GVL.

[0210] 12. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 11, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyranoate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

[0211] 13. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 12, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), δ-valerolactone, γ-butyrolactone, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyranoate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

[0212] 14. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 13, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxyvalerate (Rhodiasolv®Polarclean) and phenethyl acetate.

[0213] 15. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 14, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dihydroglucosamine (Cyrene), and mixtures thereof, or selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dihydroglucosamine (Cyrene), and mixtures thereof.

[0214] 16. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of GVL, NBP, propylene carbonate, acetophenone, DMSO and mixtures of two or more thereof, or from the group consisting of NBP, propylene carbonate, acetophenone, DMSO and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0215] 17. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the one or more solvents in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system are selected from the group consisting of GVL, NBP, propylene carbonate, acetophenone and mixtures of two or more thereof, or from the group consisting of NBP, propylene carbonate, acetophenone and mixtures of two or three thereof.

[0216] 18. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 17, wherein the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system comprises at least N-butylpyrrolidone, and based on a total weight of 100% by weight for the first solvent system and the second solvent system, the first solvent system and the second solvent system preferably each comprise at least 90% by weight, the first solvent system and the second solvent system preferably each comprise at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, and more preferably the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is N-butylpyrrolidone; or

[0217] The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least propylene carbonate, and based on the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, and more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, are respectively propylene carbonate; more preferably, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is propylene carbonate; or

[0218] The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least acetophenone, and based on the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system being 100% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, and more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, are acetophenone; more preferably, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is acetophenone; or

[0219] The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system is 100% by weight. Preferably, at least 90% by weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system contain at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, and more preferably at least 99.9% by weight, respectively, of DMSO. More preferably, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is DMSO.

[0220] The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system contain at least dihydro-L-glucanone (Cyrene), and the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system is 100% by weight. Preferably, at least 90% by weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system contain at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight, more preferably at least 99.5% by weight, and more preferably at least 99.9% by weight are Cyrene. More preferably, the solvent in the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is Cyrene.

[0221] 19. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 18, wherein ethyl benzoate and butyl benzoate are not used as solvents.

[0222] 20. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 19, wherein the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system comprises GVL, wherein the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system is 100 wt% respectively, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, and more preferably the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is GVL.

[0223] 21. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 20, wherein the total weight of the polymer material provided in (a) is 100 wt%, and at least 40 wt%, more preferably at least 50 wt%, more preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 80 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, more preferably at least 99 wt% is a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and additives.

[0224] 22. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the total weight of the polymer material provided in (a) is 100 wt%, at least 50 wt%, preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 80 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt% of the polymer material is a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, and the polymer material is an additive in the range of 0.01 wt% to 20 wt%, preferably in the range of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt%.

[0225] 23. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the residue obtained in (b) and / or the re-obtained alkyl terephthalate-based polymer in (c) have a number-average molecular weight Mn ≥ that of the alkyl terephthalate-based polymer contained in the material provided in (a).

[0226] 24. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 23, wherein the residue obtained in (b) and / or the re-obtained polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer in (c) have a dispersibility Mw / Mn (mass-average molecular weight Mw divided by number-average molecular weight Mn) of 70% to 95%, preferably 75% to 90%, of the dispersibility Mw / Mn (100%) of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer contained in the polymer material provided in (a).

[0227] 25. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 24, wherein the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is composed of oxyethylene units or oxybutylene units and oxyterephthaloyl units, wherein in the case of oxyethylene units, the oxyterephthaloyl units in the range of 0 to 5 mol-% are replaced by oxyisophthaloyl units and / or the oxyethylene units in the range of 0 to 49 mol-% are replaced by oxymethylenecyclohexylmethylene units; wherein more preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), and mixtures of two or three of these polymers; wherein more preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises or is PET.

[0228] 26. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 25, wherein a polymer material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and an additive and a solvent system are brought into contact in (b) at a mass-based solvent system:material ratio in the range of 1:1 to 100:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 50:1, more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 20:1, and even more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 10:1.

[0229] 27. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 26, wherein the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) is brought into contact with the material in (c) in a mass-based solvent system at a ratio in the range of 1:1 to 100:1, preferably in the range of 1:1 to 50:1, more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 20:1, and even more preferably in the range of 1:1 to 10:1.

[0230] 28. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 27, wherein (b) and / or (c) are carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 200,000 hPa.

[0231] 29. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 28, wherein (b) comprises:

[0232] (b.1) The polymer material is contacted with the solvent system at a temperature T1 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate;

[0233] (b.2) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and residue of the polymer material depleted of the additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, compared to the solvent system provided in (a); and preferably:

[0234] (b.3) Optionally wash away the residues of the polymer material containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.2);

[0235] (b.4) Residues of the polymer material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.2) or residues of the polymer material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (b.3) after washing.

[0236] 30. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 29, wherein the polymer material provided in (a) additionally comprises elastic fibers.

[0237] 31. The method as described in Example 30, wherein (b.2) comprises:

[0238] (b.2.1) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and rich in dissolved elastic fibers compared with the solvent system provided in (a), and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and said elastic fibers and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate;

[0239] (b.2.2) Separate the elastic fiber from the solvent system.

[0240] 32. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 31, wherein (c) comprises:

[0241] (c.1) Contact the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b), (b.2), (b.3) or (b.4) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives;

[0242] (c.2) The solvent system obtained in (c.1) is enriched with dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives compared to the solvent provided in (a), and is cooled to a temperature below T2, preferably below 150°C, more preferably below 140°C, and even more preferably below 120°C, thereby obtaining a precipitated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and a solvent system with poor dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives.

[0243] 33. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 32, wherein if at least one insoluble polymer is present in the polymer material provided in (a), then (c.1) comprises:

[0244] (c.1.1) Contact the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b), (b.2), (b.3) or (b.4) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer.

[0245] (c.1.2) Optionally, the solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives is separated from the residue to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives, free of insoluble polymers, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer.

[0246] The separation is preferably carried out by heated filtration.

[0247] 34. The method as described in any one of Examples 27 to 33, comprising:

[0248] (d) Separate the precipitated poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer obtained in (c.2) from the solvent system to obtain the precipitated poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer and the solvent system containing a lean-dissolved poly(alkylene terephthalate) polymer and optionally an additive.

[0249] 35. The method as described in any one of Examples 27 to 34, comprising:

[0250] (e) Optionally wash the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in (d);

[0251] (f) The precipitate of the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in drying (d) or the precipitate of the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained in washing (e).

[0252] 36. The method of any one of Examples 31 to 35, wherein optionally, after one or more post-processing steps, the separated solvent system obtained in (b.2) and / or the separated solvent system obtained in (d) are at least partially recycled to (b) and / or (c).

[0253] 37. A polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, which is obtained or obtainable by the method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, preferably by steps (b), (b.2), (b.4), (c), (c.2), (d), (e), or (f), more preferably by step (f).

[0254] 38. The polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate as described in Example 37 is used for the following applications: textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, plastic applications, automotive applications, electronic applications, preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, footwear, wires, and cables, wherein it is preferably used for textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, and plastic applications, and more preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, and footwear.

[0255] 39. As described in Example 38, it is used for:

[0256] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0257] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0258] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0259] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0260] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0261] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0262] 40. A method for preparing a product, the method comprising:

[0263] (I) Provide a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate as described in Example 37;

[0264] (II) The preparation of textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive parts, and electronic parts from the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate provided in (I).

[0265] 41. The method as described in Example 40, wherein the following items are prepared in (II).

[0266] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0267] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0268] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0269] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0270] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0271] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0272] 42. Preferably, the method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, further comprising the following additional steps:

[0273] - The polymer product is obtained by converting a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate obtained or re-obtainable by any of the methods described in Examples 1 to 36.

[0274] 43. Preferably, the method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, further comprising the following additional steps:

[0275] - The residue that can be obtained or acquired by the method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, preferably obtained or available by step (c.1.2), more preferably obtained or available by the method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 36, preferably obtained or available by step (c.1.2), comprising at least one insoluble polymer selected from PP, PE, PA, natural polymers, viscose fiber, and flax, is converted, and / or

[0276] - Transform the elastic fiber residue that is obtainable or preferably obtainable by step (b.2.2) by any of the methods described in Examples 1 to 36;

[0277] To obtain one or more monomers, polymers, or polymer products.

[0278] 44. The method as described in Example 43,

[0279] The monomer is a diol or polyol, preferably butanediol; an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde; a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate, preferably methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); an amide, preferably caprolactam; an olefin, preferably styrene, ethylene and norbornene; an alkyne; a (di) ester, preferably methyl methacrylate; a monoacid or diacid, preferably adipic acid or terephthalic acid; a diamine, preferably hexamethylenediamine or nonadiamine; or a sulfone, preferably 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone.

[0280] 45. The method as described in Examples 43 or 44,

[0281] The polymer and / or the polymer product comprises polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA 66; a polyisocyanate addition polymer, preferably polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyurea or polyisocyanurate (PIR); low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile polyacrylate (ASA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polybutadiene (BR, PBD), poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), poly(trans-1,4-isoprene) Poly(pentadiene), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), polyester (PES), polyethersulfone (PESU), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or copolymers or mixtures thereof.

[0282] 46. ​​The method as described in any one of Examples 43 to 45,

[0283] The polymer and / or the polymer product is one of the following or a part thereof:

[0284] - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings;

[0285] - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets;

[0286] - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues;

[0287] - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents;

[0288] - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or

[0289] - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0290] 47. The method as described in any one of Examples 43 to 46,

[0291] Wherein, the content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or the elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 1% by weight or more, preferably 2% by weight or more, more preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 15% by weight or more, more preferably 30% by weight or more, more preferably 40% by weight or more, more preferably 60% by weight or more, more preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably 95% by weight or more; and / or

[0292] Wherein, the content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or the elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 100 wt% or less, preferably 95 wt% or less, more preferably 90 wt% or less, more preferably 50 wt% or less, more preferably 25 wt% or less, more preferably 10 wt% or less; and

[0293] Preferably, the content is determined based on a source retention and / or separation and / or quality balance and / or certificate declaration chain of custody model, preferably based on quality balance, and preferably based on the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

[0294] The invention is further illustrated by the following reference examples, comparative examples, and examples. Example

[0295] Methods for analysis

[0296] NMR

[0297] pass 1 H-、 19 F-、 31 P- and 29 The presence of additives was examined using Si-NMR spectroscopy. For this purpose, samples containing additives were measured before and after the purification step. All spectra were recorded at room temperature (20°C–25°C) on a Bruker Avance III 400 spectrometer, which operates at 400.33 MHz (for...). 1 H), 376.69 MHz (for 19 F), 162.06 MHz (for 31 P) and 79.53 MHz (for 29 The operation was performed under Si) conditions. The spectrometer was equipped with a 5 mm z-gradient broadband observation probe optimized for X-nuclear detection. In all cases, a sample volume was dissolved in deuterated sulfuric acid and transferred to a 5 mm NMR tube for measurement. The deuterated solvent D₂SO₄ was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and used as received.

[0298] 1 H 1D spectra were recorded using a zg30 pulse program (direct excitation with a 30° pulse angle) with 64k data points. Each spectrum summarized 16 transients, and the relaxation delay D1 was selected as 1 second.

[0299] 19 F 1D spectra were recorded using a zg pulse program (direct excitation with a 90° pulse angle) with 512k data points. Each spectrum summarized 128 transients, and the relaxation delay D1 was chosen to be 1 second.

[0300] 31 P 1D spectra were recorded using a zg30 pulse program (direct excitation with a 30° pulse angle) with 128k data points. Each spectrum summarized 64 transients, and the relaxation delay D1 was selected as 1 second.

[0301] 29 Si 1D spectra were recorded using a zgig pulse program (direct excitation with a 90° pulse angle and anti-gated proton decoupling) with 64k data points. Each spectrum summarized 1024 transients, and the relaxation delay D1 was chosen to be 10 seconds. Furthermore, measurements of the sample... 1 H- 29 Si HMBC. Here, each spectrum summarizes 64 transients, with relaxation delay D1 chosen as 1 second.

[0302] For processing, Bruker TopSpin 4.0.9 software was used, with the following conditions applied to each spectrum:

[0303] 1 H: 32k data points and exponential window function, spectral broadening of 0.3 Hz.

[0304] 19 F: 256k data points and exponential window function, spectral broadening of 0.5 Hz.

[0305] 31 P: 64k data points and exponential window function, spectral broadening of 0.3 Hz.

[0306] 29 Si: 32k data points and exponential window function, with spectral broadening of 1.0 Hz.

[0307] For each spectrum, automatic baseline correction with a polynomial of 5 is performed, while phase correction and integration are performed manually by the user.

[0308] chemicals

[0309]

[0310] Reference Example 1: A general procedure for removing additives during the PET color-changing stage

[0311] 0.5 g of additive-containing PET textiles is cut / shredded into pieces and placed in a reaction vessel (e.g., flask, tube, reaction container). A solvent system is added (at a mass ratio of solvent:polymer material 100:1 to 1:1, preferably 10:1-1:1), and the mixture is heated to a temperature in the range of <170°C, preferably in the range of 10°C to <170°C, more preferably in the range of 110°C to 165°C, and even more preferably in the range of 120°C to 150°C by using a suitable heating system (e.g., oil bath, heating block, small equipment container). After 0.5-8 h, the mixture is filtered to obtain an additive-rich solvent system and an additive-poor polymer material. The additive-poor material is washed with a small amount of the solvent system. For a faster drying process that facilitates the removal of the solvent system and the additive-poor polymer material flakes, a small amount of acetone can be used in the second washing step. The resulting polymer material with poor additives is dried (e.g., in a vacuum chamber dryer).

[0312] Reference Example 2: A general procedure for removing additives during the PET dissolution stage

[0313] 10 g of additive-containing PET textiles is cut / shredded into pieces and placed in a reaction vessel (e.g., flask, tube, reaction container). A solvent system is added (at a mass ratio of solvent:polymer material 100:1 to 1:1, preferably 10:1-1:1), and the mixture is heated to 185°C under an inert gas atmosphere using a suitable heating system (e.g., oil bath, heating block, small equipment container), where the PET is completely dissolved upon visual inspection. After 1-30 min, the mixture is filtered (e.g., heated pressure filtration). The filtrate is allowed to cool, allowing the PET to precipitate. The precipitated PET is filtered, yielding additive-lean PET and an additive-rich solvent system. The additive-lean PET is washed with a small amount of the solvent system. For easier removal of the solvent system and a faster drying process of the re-obtained additive-lean PET powder, a small amount of acetone can be used in the second washing step. The resulting solid is dried (e.g., in a vacuum chamber dryer).

[0314] Example 1: PET textiles containing softeners

[0315] The first part of the PET textile containing a silicone-based softener is treated according to Reference Example 1, and the second part is treated according to Reference Example 2.

[0316] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The Si-HMBC NMR spectrum is shown in the image. Figure 1(Before processing) Figure 2 (After processing according to reference example 1) and Figure 3 (After processing according to Reference Example 2). As is evident from the complete absence of Si signal in the spectrum after processing, the softener was completely removed, while the PET-related signal remained unchanged.

[0317] Example 2: PET textiles containing waterproofing agents

[0318] The first part of the PET textile containing a silicone / polymer / paraffin-based waterproofing agent is treated according to Reference Example 1, and the second part is treated according to Reference Example 2.

[0319] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The 1H-NMR spectra are shown in the image. Figure 4 (Before processing) Figure 5 (After processing according to reference example 1) and Figure 6 (After treatment according to Reference Example 2). If the complete lack of signal in the region below 5.5 ppm in the post-treatment spectrum is evident, the waterproofing agent has been completely removed, while the PET-related signal remains unchanged.

[0320] Example 3: PET textiles containing waterproofing agents

[0321] The first part of the PET textile containing the fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agent is treated according to Reference Example 1, and the second part is treated according to Reference Example 2.

[0322] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The 19F-NMR spectrum is shown in the image. Figure 7 (Before processing) Figure 8 (After processing according to reference example 1) and Figure 9 (After processing according to Reference Example 2). As is evident from the completely absent F signal in the spectrum after processing, the waterproofing agent has been completely removed.

[0323] Example 4: PET textiles containing flame retardants

[0324] The first part of the PET textile containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant is treated according to Reference Example 1, and the second part is treated according to Reference Example 2.

[0325] The samples were analyzed by 31P-NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The NMR spectra are shown in the figure. Figure 10 (Before processing) Figure 11 (After processing according to reference example 1) and Figure 12(After processing according to Reference Example 2). If it is obvious from the spectrum after processing that there is a complete lack of signal, the flame retardant has not been completely removed.

[0326] Example 5: PET textiles containing UV filters

[0327] The first part of a PET textile containing a hydroxybenzophenone-based UV filter is treated according to Reference Example 1, and the second part is treated according to Reference Example 2.

[0328] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The NMR spectra are shown in the image. Figure 13 (Before processing) Figure 14 (After processing according to reference example 1) and Figure 15 (After treatment according to Reference Example 2). As is evident from the almost complete lack of signal in the region below 5.5 ppm in the post-treatment spectrum, the additive was completely removed, while the PET-related signal remained unchanged.

[0329] Comparative Example 1: PET textiles containing softeners using a comparative solvent

[0330] According to Reference Example 1, ethylene carbonate is used to treat PET textiles containing a silicone-based softener, wherein the ethylene carbonate is a solvent that does not satisfy (s1.1) and (s1.2) nor (s.2.1) and (s2.2) and (s2.3).

[0331] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The Si-HMBC NMR spectrum is shown in the image. Figure 1 (Before processing) and Figure 16 (After processing according to Reference Example 1). As can be seen from the spectrum after processing, the presence of the Si signal is evident, the softener was not removed, and the PET-related signal remains unchanged.

[0332] Comparative Example 2: PET textiles containing waterproofing agents using comparative solvents

[0333] According to Reference Example 1, PET textiles containing a fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agent are treated with ethylene carbonate, which is a solvent that does not satisfy (s1.1) and (s1.2) nor (s2.1) and (s2.2) and (s2.3).

[0334] The samples were analyzed by NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The 19F-NMR spectrum is shown in the image. Figure 7 (Before processing) and Figure 17(After processing according to Reference Example 1). As is evident from the presence of the F signal in the processed spectrum, the waterproofing agent was not removed.

[0335] Comparative Example 3: PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants using comparative solvents

[0336] According to Reference Example 1, PET textiles containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant are treated with ethylene carbonate, which is a solvent that does not satisfy (s1.1) and (s1.2) nor (s2.1), (s2.2) and (s2.3).

[0337] The samples were analyzed by 31P-NMR before any processing and after the final drying step. The NMR spectra are shown in the figure. Figure 10 (Before processing) and Figure 18 (After processing according to Reference Example 1). As is evident from the presence of the signal in the spectrum after processing, the flame retardant has not been removed.

[0338] Comparative Example 4: PET textiles containing softeners using existing comparative solvents

[0339] US 2023 / 0090987 A1 discloses a solvent system based on PM and acetic acid. PM has a boiling point of less than 150°C (120°C) at 1013 hPa, and acetic acid is an acid.

[0340] 4a: Treatment of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners with the solvent system disclosed in Examples 1 to 6 of US 2023 / 0090987 A1 at a solvent:polymer material ratio of 20:1 based on mass: 10 g of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners was treated with a mixture of 180 g PM and 20 g acetic acid (1:20, textile to solvent ratio) at 120°C (reflux conditions, limited due to the presence of acetic acid) under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 h. The samples were analyzed by NMR before any treatment and after the final drying step. The Si-HMBC NMR spectrum is shown in the figure. Figure 1 (Before processing) and Figure 19 (After the above processing) In the spectrum after processing, the presence of the Si signal is obvious, the softener was not removed, and the PET-related signal remains unchanged.

[0341] 4b: Treatment of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners with the solvent system disclosed in Examples 1 to 6 of US 2023 / 0090987 A1 at a mass ratio of 10:1 solvent:polymer material: 10 g of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners was treated with a mixture of 90 g PM and 10 g acetic acid (1:10, textile to solvent ratio) at 120°C (reflux conditions, limited due to the presence of acetic acid) under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 h. The samples were analyzed by NMR before any treatment and after the final drying step. The Si-HMBC NMR spectrum is shown in the figure. Figure 1 (Before processing) and Figure 20 (After the above processing) In the spectrum after processing, the presence of the Si signal is obvious, the softener was not removed, and the PET-related signal remains unchanged.

[0342] Comparative Example 5: PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants using solvents from existing technologies

[0343] US 2023 / 0090987 A1 discloses a solvent system based on PM and acetic acid. PM has a boiling point of less than 150°C (120°C) at 1013 hPa, and acetic acid is an acid.

[0344] 5a: Treatment of PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants with the solvent system disclosed in Examples 1 to 6 of US 2023 / 0090987 A1 at a mass-based solvent:polymer ratio of 20:1: 10 g of PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants was treated with a mixture of 180 g PM and 20 g acetic acid (1:20) at 120°C (reflux conditions, limited by the presence of acetic acid) under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 h. The samples were analyzed by 31P-NMR before any treatment and after the final drying step. The NMR spectra are shown in the figure. Figure 10 (Before processing) and Figure 21 (After the above processing) If the presence of a signal in the spectrum after processing is obvious, the flame retardant has not been removed.

[0345] 5b: Treatment of PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants with the solvent system disclosed in Examples 1 to 6 of US 2023 / 0090987 A1 at a mass-based solvent:polymer ratio of 10:1: 10 g of PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants was treated with a mixture of 90 g PM and 10 g acetic acid (1:10) at 120°C (reflux conditions, limited due to the presence of acetic acid) under a nitrogen atmosphere for 6 h. The samples were analyzed by 31P-NMR before any treatment and after the final drying step. The NMR spectra are shown in the figure. Figure 10 (Before processing) and Figure 22 (After the above processing) If the presence of a signal in the spectrum after processing is obvious, the flame retardant has not been removed.

[0346] Summarize

[0347] It can be shown that, using the methods of Reference Examples 1 and 2, (A) treating the polymer containing additives with a solvent system satisfying (s1.1) and (s1.2) and optionally (s1.3) to remove the additives without dissolving PET, and (B) treating the polymer containing additives with a solvent system satisfying (s2.1), (s2.2) and (s2.3) to remove the additives (including dissolving PET), complete removal of the additives can be achieved while maintaining the polymer structure of PET without degradation. Furthermore, it is shown that using solvents that do not satisfy (s1.1) and (s1.2) and optionally (s1.3), it is impossible to remove the additives without dissolving PET. Moreover, it has been found that solvent systems such as those described in US 2023 / 0090987 A1 cannot remove the additives. Attached Figure Description

[0348] Figure 1 The Si-HMBC spectrum of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners before treatment is shown in Example 1.

[0349] Figure 2 The Si-HMBC spectrum of a PET textile containing a silicone-based softener after treatment according to Reference Example 1 is shown in Example 1.

[0350] Figure 3 The Si-HMBC spectrum of a PET textile containing a silicone-based softener after treatment according to Reference Example 2 is shown in Example 1.

[0351] Figure 4 The 1H-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a silicone / polymer / paraffin-based waterproofing agent is shown in Example 2 before treatment;

[0352] Figure 5 The 1H-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a silicone / polymer / paraffin-based waterproofing agent is shown in Example 2 after treatment according to Reference Example 1.

[0353] Figure 6 The 1H-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a silicone / polymer / paraffin-based waterproofing agent is shown in Example 2 after treatment according to Reference Example 2.

[0354] Figure 7 The 19F-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agents before treatment is shown in Example 3;

[0355] Figure 8 The 19F-NMR spectrum of a PET textile containing a fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agent is shown in Example 3 after treatment according to Reference Example 1.

[0356] Figure 9 The 19F-NMR spectrum of a PET textile containing a fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agent after treatment according to Reference Example 2 is shown in Example 3.

[0357] Figure 10 Showing the 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing phosphorus-based flame retardants before treatment / Example 4;

[0358] Figure 11 The 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textile containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant after treatment according to Reference Example 1 is shown in Example 4.

[0359] Figure 12 The 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textile containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant after treatment according to Reference Example 2 is shown in Example 4.

[0360] Figure 13 The 1H-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a hydroxybenzophenone-based UV filter is shown in Example 5 before treatment;

[0361] Figure 14 The 1H-NMR spectrum of a PET textile containing a hydroxybenzophenone-based UV filter is shown in Example 5 after treatment according to Reference Example 1.

[0362] Figure 15 The 1H-NMR spectrum of a PET textile containing a hydroxybenzophenone-based UV filter is shown in Example 5 after treatment according to Reference Example 2.

[0363] Figure 16The following is a Si-HMBC spectrum of a PET textile containing a silicone-based softener after treatment with ethylene carbonate according to Reference Example 1 / Comparative Example 1 (Si-HMBC spectrum of the starting material is shown in the figure). Figure 1 middle).

[0364] Figure 17 The 19F-NMR spectrum of a PET textile containing a fluorocarbon-based waterproofing agent after treatment with ethylene carbonate according to Reference Example 1 is shown. / Comparative Example 2 (19F-NMR spectrum of the starting material is shown in the figure). Figure 7 middle).

[0365] Figure 18 The 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant after treatment according to Reference Example 1 is shown / Comparative Example 3 (31P-NMR spectrum of starting material is shown in the figure). Figure 10 middle).

[0366] Figure 19 The Si-HMBC spectra of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners after treatment with PM / acetic acid according to Comparative Example 4a are shown (the Si-HMBC spectra of the starting materials are shown in the figure). Figure 1 middle).

[0367] Figure 20 The Si-HMBC spectra of PET textiles containing silicone-based softeners after treatment with PM / acetic acid according to Comparative Example 4b are shown (the Si-HMBC spectra of the starting materials are shown in the figure). Figure 1 middle).

[0368] Figure 21 The 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant after treatment according to Comparative Example 5a is shown (the 31P-NMR spectrum of the starting material is shown in the figure). Figure 10 middle).

[0369] Figure 22 The 31P-NMR spectrum of PET textiles containing a phosphorus-based flame retardant after treatment according to Comparative Example 5b is shown (the 31P-NMR spectrum of the starting material is shown in the figure). Figure 10 middle). References

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[0372] -Plastics Handbook", Carl Hanser Verlag; vol. 7, "Polyurethanes", 3rd edition, 1993,

[0373] -Plastics Handbook", Carl Hanser Verlag; vol. 8, “Polyester”, 2nd edition 1973;

[0374] -“Industrial Organic Chemistry”, 3rd volume, Wiley-VCH, 1997, ISBN:978-3-527-28838-0,

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Claims

1. A method for removing additives from a polymeric material containing a polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate and an additive selected from the group consisting of softeners, waterproofing agents, flame retardants, UV filters, plasticizers, and mixtures of two or more thereof. The method includes: (a) Provide the polymer material and provide a first solvent system and / or a second solvent system; (b) The polymer material is contacted with a first solvent system at a temperature T1 < 170°C to obtain a first solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate. The first solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein (s1.1) This solvent system has the following Hansen solubility parameters. -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ), -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ), It satisfies equation 1 (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)² [Equation 1]; (s1.2) Each solvent in the solvent system has a boiling point of at least 150°C at 1013 hPa; and / or (c) Contacting the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) with a second solvent system at a temperature T2, wherein T2 > T1 and T2 is at least 7 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent having the lowest boiling point in the second solvent system, thereby obtaining a second solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives compared to the second solvent system provided in (a); and re-obtaining the alkyl terephthalate-based polymer from the obtained second solvent system; The second solvent system comprises one or more solvents, and (s2.1) has the following Hansen solubility parameters. -Energy from the dispersion forces between molecules (δD) ss ), -Energy from the dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP) ss ),as well as -Energy from hydrogen bonds between molecules (δH) ss ), It satisfies equation 2 (8.8)² ≥ 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)² [Equation 2], (s2.2) Each solvent in this solvent system has a boiling point of at least 160°C at 1013 hPa; and (s2.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

2. The method as described in claim 1, wherein, In the first solvent system used in step (b) (s1.3) Solvents that do not include those with functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, (b) The contact is carried out at a temperature T1 in the range of 10°C to < 170°C, wherein T1 is preferably in the range of 110°C to 165°C, more preferably in the range of 120°C to 150°C; and / or In (c), the contact is carried out at a temperature T2 in the range of 160°C to T, which is at least 7 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent with the lowest boiling point in the solvent system.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system, wherein one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylphenylacetamide, 1,4-benzoquinone, acetophenone, dimethyl terephthalate, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, 2-phenylacetophenone, N-methylcaprolactam, methyl benzoate, methyl-4-methoxybenzoate, butylene carbonate, propylene glycol dibenzoate, N-ethylpyrrolidone, benzophenone, dibenzyl malonate, N-ethylcaprolactam, methyl 2-(5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)acetate (FAME), acetone, N-methoxypropylpyrrolidone, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, cyclohexane carbonate, N-methoxyethylpyrrolidone, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide, phenyl acetate, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidone-2-one acetate (HEPAc). N,N-Diethylbenzamide, Isopropyl benzoate, Cyclohexylphenyl ketone, Ethyl phenyl acetate, Phenyl acetate, N-Methylmorpholine, Benzyl propionate, Benzyl acetate, Neopentyl glycol dibenzoate, Tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, N-Methylimidazolium, Benzyl butyrate, 2-Pyrrolidone, 2-Phenoxyethanol propionate, 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, N,N-Dipropylbenzamide, N,N-Dimethylacetamide, N,N-Diethylbenzamide, etc. Acetamide, Cyrene, propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidone-3-carboxylate (MMOC), γ-valerol (GVL), δ-valerol, γ-butyrolactone, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopyroxycarboxylate (Rhodiasolv Polarclean), caprolactam, ethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, N,N-dimethyllactic acid (Agnique AMD 3L), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), more preferably selected from the group consisting of: γ-valerol (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Cyrene, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first solvent system and / or the second solvent system comprises GVL, wherein the total weight of the first solvent system and the second solvent system is 100 wt% respectively, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%, more preferably at least 98 wt%, and more preferably in the range of 99 wt% to 100 wt%, and preferably the first solvent system and / or the second solvent system is GVL.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate includes PET.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, (b) Includes: (b.1) The polymer material is contacted with the solvent system at a temperature T1 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved additives and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyethylene terephthalate; (b.2) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate compared to the solvent system provided in (a).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The polymer material provided in (a) additionally comprises elastic fibers; and wherein (b.2) preferably comprises: (b.2.1) Preferably, the solvent system rich in dissolved additives and the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b.1) are separated by a physical separation method, thereby obtaining a separated solvent system rich in dissolved additives and rich in dissolved elastic fibers compared with the solvent system provided in (a), and a residue of the polymer material depleted of said additives and said elastic fibers and containing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate; (b.2.2) Separate the elastic fiber from the solvent system.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, (c) Includes: (c.1) Contacting the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) or (b.2) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives; and optionally, if at least one insoluble polymer is present in the polymer material provided in (a), then (c.1) includes: (c.1.1) Contact the polymer material provided in (a) or the residue of the polymer material obtained in (b) or (b.2) with a solvent system having a temperature T2 to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer. (c.1.2) Optionally, the solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives is separated from the residue to obtain a solvent system rich in dissolved alkyl terephthalate-based polymer and optionally rich in additives without insoluble polymers, and a residue containing at least one insoluble polymer, wherein the separation is preferably carried out by heated filtration. (c.2) The solvent system obtained in (c.1) is enriched with dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives compared to the solvent provided in (a), and is cooled to a temperature below T2, preferably below 150°C, more preferably below 140°C, and even more preferably below 120°C, thereby obtaining a precipitated polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and a solvent system with poor dissolved polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers and optionally contains additives.

10. A polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate, which is obtained or can be obtained by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate as described in claim 10 is used for the following applications: textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, plastic applications, automotive applications, electronic applications, preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, footwear, wires, and cables, wherein it is preferably used for textile applications, fiber applications, packaging applications, and plastic applications, more preferably for the production of food packaging, beverage packaging, clothing, and footwear; even more preferably for: - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings; - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets; - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues; - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents; - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

12. A method for preparing a product, the method comprising: (I) Providing the polymer based on polyalkylene terephthalate as described in claim 10; (II) The preparation of textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, automotive parts, and electronic parts from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer provided in (I); In (II), the following items are preferably prepared. - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings; - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets; - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues; - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents; - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising the following additional steps: - The polymer based on poly(alkylene terephthalate) obtained by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 is converted to obtain a polymer product.

14. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising the following additional steps: - The residue that is obtainable or acquireable by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, or that is obtainable or acquireable by step (c.1.2), is transformed, and / or - Transform the elastic fiber residue that is obtainable or acquireable by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9, preferably obtainable or acquireable by step (b.2.2); To obtain one or more monomers, polymers, or polymer products; Preferably, the monomer is a diol or polyol, more preferably butylene glycol; an aldehyde, preferably formaldehyde; a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate, preferably methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); an amide, preferably caprolactam; an olefin, preferably styrene, ethylene and norbornene; an alkyne; a (di) ester, preferably methyl methacrylate; a monoacid or diacid, preferably adipic acid or terephthalic acid; a diamine, preferably hexamethylenediamine or nonanediamine; or a sulfone, preferably 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone; and / or The polymer is preferably and / or the polymer product preferably contains polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA66; a polyisocyanate addition polymer, preferably polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyurea or polyisocyanurate (PIR); low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile polyacrylate (ASA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polybutadiene (BR, PBD), poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), poly(trans-1,4-isoprene) pentadiene, polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polybutylene adipate (PBAT), polyester (PES), polyethersulfone (PESU), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone (PSU), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or copolymers or mixtures thereof; and / or The polymer and / or the polymer product preferably includes, or preferably includes, a subset thereof: - Automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine hoods, turbocharger housings, turbocharger baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, coolant tanks, housings, heat exchanger housing parts, coolant coolers, turbocharger coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, battery system parts for electric vehicles, dashboards, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A, B, C, or D pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windshield wipers, windshield wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, headlights and taillights, engine hoods, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, cushioning pads or coatings; - Fabrics, preferably shirts, trousers, sweaters, boots, shoes, shoe soles, bodysuits or jackets; - Electrical components, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing components, foil, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (ICs), processors, controllers, memory, sensors, microswitches, micro buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light-emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, membrane hinges, spring hooks (clamp-in) or spring tongues; - Consumer goods, agricultural products, or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial turf, 3D printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, paper machine fabrics, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, sliding bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher detergent blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pest control agents; - For packaging in the food industry, single-layer or multi-layer blown film, cast film (single-layer or multi-layer), biaxial stretch film, or laminated film are preferred; or - Structural components, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

15. The method as described in claim 14, in, The content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or the elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 1% by weight or more, preferably 2% by weight or more, more preferably 5% by weight or more, more preferably 15% by weight or more, more preferably 30% by weight or more, more preferably 40% by weight or more, more preferably 60% by weight or more, more preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably 95% by weight or more; and / or Wherein, the content of the at least one insoluble polymer and / or the elastic fiber in the polymer and / or polymer product is 100 wt% or less, preferably 95 wt% or less, more preferably 90 wt% or less, more preferably 50 wt% or less, more preferably 25 wt% or less, more preferably 10 wt% or less; and Preferably, the content is determined based on a source retention and / or separation and / or quality balance and / or certificate declaration chain of custody model, preferably based on quality balance, and preferably based on the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

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