Method for recycling colored polymer material including decolorization and chemical treatment

Abstract

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for recycling a colored polymer material, the colored polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and different from (iii) a third polymer that is the second polymer, the method comprising (a) providing a colored polymeric material and a solvent system comprising gamma valerolactone (GVL); (b) contacting the colored polymeric material provided in (a) with the GVL-containing solvent system provided in (a) under conditions that allow colorant removal but do not allow the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer to dissolve, thereby obtaining a solvent system rich in colorants compared to the solvent system provided and a polymeric material poor in colorants compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a); (c) the depolymerization or transesterification of the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b); thereby obtaining a monomer and / or oligomer or transesterification product. In a second aspect, the invention relates to monomers, oligomers or transesterification products of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers obtained or obtainable by the process of the first aspect. A third aspect relates to a process comprising converting, preferably polymerizing, a monomer, oligomer or transesterification product of a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained by the process of the first aspect to obtain one or more polymers or polymer products. A fourth aspect relates to a process comprising converting an isolated second polymer (iii) and / or an isolated third polymer (iv) obtainable by or obtained from the first aspect process to obtain one or more monomers, polymers or polymer products.

Description

[0001] The first aspect of the present application relates to a process for recycling a colored polymeric material, wherein the colored polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) a third polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and different from the second polymer of (iii), the process comprising (a) providing a colored polymeric material and a solvent system comprising gamma valerolactone (GVL); (b) contacting the colored polymeric material provided in (a) with the solvent system comprising GVL provided in (a) under conditions allowing for colorant removal but not allowing for the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer to dissolve, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant compared to the solvent system provided and a polymeric material depleted in colorant compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a); (c) depolymerization or transesterification of the polymeric material depleted in colorant obtained in (b); thereby obtaining monomers and / or oligomers or transesterification products. In a second aspect, the present application relates to monomers, oligomers or transesterification products of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers obtained or obtainable by the process of the first aspect. A third aspect relates to a process comprising converting, preferably polymerizing, monomers, oligomers or transesterification products of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers obtained by the process of the first aspect to obtain one or more polymers or polymer products. A fourth aspect relates to a process comprising converting isolated second polymers (iii) and / or isolated third polymers (iv) obtainable or obtained by the process of the first aspect to obtain one or more monomers, polymers or polymer products.

[0002] Over the past decades, the demand for polymeric materials has increased dramatically. However, poor biodegradability has led to a massive amount of plastic waste, which is often incinerated in Europe, thereby losing valuable material and creating huge CO2 emissions. Even worse is landfilling due to poor biodegradability. Polyester-based polymeric materials have been widely used in the packaging field, e.g. in beverage packaging or food packaging. Today, the vast majority of food and beverages are packaged in plastic bottles and containers made of, e.g., polyester materials comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PET is also the main component of today's clothing. Since these materials typically have poor biodegradability and are still valuable products, it is desirable to recycle and recycle these plastics.

[0003] Although recycling processes have been employed to convert waste materials into new production materials, there are still many problems associated with the recycling and recovery of polymeric materials. Waste packaging often comprises a mixture of different polymeric materials which also contain, for example, colorants. This is also true for textiles which also contain a large amount of colored polymeric materials. Therefore, in order to recycle polymeric materials, the polymeric materials are usually separated based on their color and / or their composition. However, this sorting process is labor-intensive and / or requires the use of sorting machines.

[0004] With regard to the removal of colorants, EP 2 784 110 A1 describes the removal of organic colorants from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flakes from shredded PET bottles by extraction of the PET flakes with ethylene glycol at ambient pressure and at the boiling temperature of ethylene glycol. US 10,876,240 B2 relates to the decolorization of dyed polyesters with the gas propylene glycol methyl ether. DE 2223466 A1 discloses a process for separating a substance from a substrate with a solvent at elevated temperature, wherein the substrate is heated by means of a condensed vapor of a liquid which is miscible with the solvent but does not dissolve the substrate, and subsequently, the heated substrate is treated with the solvent, whereby the substance is separated from the substrate.

[0005] Although several methods for removing colorants from polyesters are known, these methods still have disadvantages: The depolymerization or transesterification of the colored polymeric material provides monomers and / or other esters which have to be purified by filtration, crystallization or distillation to a large extent. This makes the method very expensive. If decolorization is not achieved, the product quality is low and cannot be reused in high-value applications.

[0006] Furthermore, additional components present in the blend, such as additional polymers, are interfering or cannot be removed as colorants. A further disadvantage is the need to use toxic solvents and / or the need to use large amounts of solvents.

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an economic method for the recovery of polyesters which overcomes these disadvantages and which, in particular, enables the precise removal of colorants on the one hand, while using a relatively small amount of solvent, and the removal of additional polymers, if present, and the recovery of undegraded polyesters on the other hand, which can then easily be converted into suitable monomeric building blocks.

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a process for recycling a colored polymeric material, wherein the colored polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) a third polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and from the second polymer of (iii), the process comprising

[0009] (a) providing a colored polymeric material and a solvent system;

[0010] (b) contacting the colored polymeric material provided in (a) with the solvent system provided in (a) under conditions allowing for colorant removal but not allowing for the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer to dissolve, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant compared to the solvent system provided and a polymeric material depleted in colorant compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a);

[0011] (c) depolymerization or transesterification of the polymeric material depleted in colorant obtained in (b); thereby obtaining monomers and / or oligomers or transesterification products.

[0012] The process of the present invention represents a very simple and efficient way of decolorizing polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers without affecting the polymer structure, especially without degradation of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer. Thereafter, the material can easily be chemically processed (via depolymerization or transesterification) without the need for extensive purification of the resulting products due to color.

[0013] The “contacting under conditions allowing for colorant removal but not allowing for the polyester to dissolve” in step (b) includes any kind of contact between the colored polymeric material and the solvent system as long as the colorant and optionally the third polymer (iv) if present, is depleted while the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer remains undegraded. As described in more detail below, this includes inter alia in some embodiments contacting the colored polymeric material with a gaseous solvent system and / or a recondensed solvent system, while in some alternative embodiments the colored polymeric material is at least partially immersed in a (liquid) solvent system.

[0014] "poor in colorant" means that 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-%, more preferably at least 95 wt-% of the colorant and, if present, also the same perceived amount of a third polymer (iv) contained in the colored polymeric material provided in (a), more preferably the colorant contained in a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and, if present, the third polymer (iv) contained in the colored polymeric material provided in (a) is removed from the polymeric material. "rich in colorant" means that 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-%, more preferably at least 95 wt-% of the colorant and, if present, also the same perceived amount of a third polymer (iv) contained in the material provided in (a) is dissolved in the solvent system.

[0015] removing the colorant in (b) via a gas stream

[0016] In some embodiments of the method, (b) comprises

[0017] (b.1) providing the colored polymeric material in a first container and the solvent system in a second container;

[0018] wherein the first container and the second container are arranged spatially separate from each other, but allow for gas and fluid communication between each other;

[0019] (b.2) forming a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system and removing the gas stream from the second container;

[0020] (b.3) allowing the solvent system to separate from the gas stream in liquid form at a location outside the second container (also outside the first container), obtaining a solvent system in liquid form;

[0021] (b.4) contacting the colored polymeric material in the first container with the solvent system in liquid form that has been separated from the gas stream in (b.3),

[0022] thereby obtaining a solvent system rich in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material poor in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and comprising a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer (i) and optionally a second polymer (iii).

[0023] The expression "allowing gas and fluid communication between each other" means that the colored polymeric material in the first vessel and the solvent system in the second vessel do not directly contact each other, but gas, gas phase and liquid can move freely between and around them.

[0024] The expression "a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system" is to be understood in that first, a portion of the solvent system remains in the second vessel and second, the gas stream comprises at least a portion of the solvent system, wherein the solvent system is present in the gas stream in liquid state or in gaseous state or partially in liquid state and partially in gaseous state.

[0025] The location outside the second vessel, which is also outside the first vessel, is any location outside the two vessels, with the only requirement that it is possible to separate the solvent system in liquid form from the gas stream and to transfer it back to the polymeric material in the first vessel by any suitable means.

[0026] In these embodiments, "contacting" includes in particular bringing the colored polymeric material into contact with the gaseous solvent system and / or the recondensed solvent system and / or the separated solvent system, as described in more detail below.

[0027] In some embodiments of the method, (b.2) comprises

[0028] (b.2.1) heating the solvent system to a temperature which is at least equal to or higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent system;

[0029] (b.2.2) obtaining a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system and removing the gas stream from the second vessel.

[0030] In some embodiments, due to the heating of the solvent system, at least a portion of the solvent system is transferred from liquid state to gaseous state. If two or more solvents are present in the solvent system, the "boiling point" of the solvent system is to be understood as the boiling range of the solvent system in case of a non-azeotropic mixture or the boiling point of the azeotropic mixture in case of an azeotropic mixture. The boiling point of a solvent is generally to be understood as the boiling point of the solvent at the respective pressure and likewise the boiling point of the solvent system is to be understood as the boiling point of the solvent system at the respective pressure. In some embodiments of the method, additionally an inert gas is applied which forms part of the gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system.

[0031] In some embodiments of the method, (b.2) comprises

[0032] (b.2.1') heating the solvent system to a temperature T which is at most 3 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent system; such that a solvent system with elevated temperature is obtained;

[0033] (b.2.2’) contacting the solvent system having an elevated temperature with an inert gas, preferably passing the inert gas through the solvent system having an elevated temperature, such that a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system is formed, and removing the gas stream from the second vessel.

[0034] The heating of the solvent system in (b.2.1’) is carried out to a temperature in the range of 30°C, preferably 160°C, to at most 3 K below the boiling temperature of the solvent system, wherein 30°C or 160°C preferably apply when step (b.ii.1’) is carried out at a pressure in the range of 990 to 1030 hPa. In some embodiments of the method, at least one of (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), preferably (b.1), (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), is carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 200,000 hPa; the same applies to all sub-steps described in the above and below. In some alternative embodiments, at least one of (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), preferably (b.1), (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), is carried out at a pressure in the range of 0.1 to 990 hPa, preferably in the range of 1 to 990 hPa; the same applies to all sub-steps described in the above and below.

[0035] In some embodiments of the method, (b.3) comprises

[0036] (b.3.1) transferring the gas stream from the second vessel to a location outside the second vessel (also outside the first vessel);

[0037] (b.3.2) allowing the portion of the solvent system contained in the gas stream to separate from the gas stream in liquid form at the location outside the second vessel (also outside the first vessel), obtaining the solvent system in liquid form.

[0038] The separation of the solvent system in (b.3.2) is carried out by any means suitable for separating the solvent system from the gas stream, such that the solvent system is obtained in liquid form. For example, the separation is carried out by cooling the gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system, for example by contact with a surface of a device having a temperature lower than the temperature of the gas stream. In some embodiments, wherein the method is carried out in an extraction device like a Soxhlet extractor, the device having a temperature lower than the temperature of the solvent system is a condenser, preferably a condenser through which a cooling medium is directed. In case at least part of the solvent system is at least partly in the gas stream, separation means condensation. In case at least part of the solvent system is at least partly still in liquid state in the gas stream, separation means separation of these liquid portions from the gas stream.

[0039] In some embodiments of the process, (b.4) comprises

[0040] (b.4.1 ) transferring the solvent system in liquid form obtained in (b.3.2) to the colored polymeric material in a first vessel;

[0041] (b.4.2) contacting the colored polymeric material in the first vessel with the solvent system in liquid form,

[0042] thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally in the third polymer compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material depleted in colorant and optionally in the third polymer compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and comprising a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally the second polymer.

[0043] In some embodiments of the process, (b.4) comprises

[0044] (b.4.3) transferring the solvent system obtained in (b.4.2) to a second vessel containing the solvent system provided in (a).

[0045] In some embodiments of the process, the first vessel containing the polymeric material and the second vessel containing the solvent system are arranged spatially apart from each other, wherein the first vessel containing the polymeric material is arranged above the second vessel containing the solvent system. The expression "arranged above the second vessel containing the solvent" means that the polymeric material is positioned at a position located vertically above the upper edge of the solvent system in the second vessel. Preferably, there is no direct material contact between the polymeric material and the solvent system, i.e. neither the polymeric material touches the surface of the solvent system nor does the polymeric material have any percentage of immersion in the solvent system in the vessel. The apparatus that can be used to carry out the process is not limited. For example, in some embodiments, an apparatus comparable to a Soxhlet extractor is used, wherein the second vessel containing the solvent system is comparable to a still pot and the first vessel containing the polymeric material is comparable to an extraction thimble, in some embodiments, the first vessel is a device having one or more openings, such as a sieve. The sieve can have any conceivable shape, such as a flat sieve, a curved sieve, etc., as long as the sieve is able to hold the polymeric material (in solid state) but allows liquids and gases to pass through its openings.

[0046] In some embodiments of the process, (b.4.2) comprises contacting the colored polymeric material with the solvent system in liquid form of (b.4.1 ), wherein the solvent system in liquid form is dropped onto the colored polymeric material.

[0047] In some embodiments of the method, (b.4.3) comprises transferring a solvent system, which is enriched in colorant and optionally in the third polymer, compared to the solvent system provided in (a), from the first container to the second container, wherein the solvent system in liquid form drips from the first container into the second container.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method comprises:

[0049] (b.1 ) providing a colored polymeric material in a first container and a solvent system in a second container;

[0050] wherein the first container and the second container are arranged spatially apart from each other, wherein the first container, which contains the colored polymeric material, is arranged above the second container, which contains the solvent system, and allows for a gaseous and fluid communication between each other (between the first container and the second container);

[0051] (b.2) forming a gaseous stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system and removing the gaseous stream from the second container;

[0052] (b.3.1 ) transferring the gaseous stream from the second container to a location outside the second container (also outside the first container);

[0053] (b.3.2) allowing the portion of the solvent system contained in the gaseous stream to separate from the gaseous stream in liquid form at the location outside the second container (also outside the first container), preferably at a location above the first container, wherein the separation is preferably carried out by cooling the gaseous stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system, more preferably by contacting the gaseous stream at the location above the first container with a surface of a device having a temperature lower than the temperature of the gaseous stream; thereby obtaining a solvent system in liquid form;

[0054] (b.4.1 ) transferring the solvent system in liquid form obtained in (b.3.2) to the colored polymeric material in the first container, wherein the solvent system in liquid form drips from the location above the first container onto the colored polymeric material in the first container;

[0055] (b.4.2) contacting the colored polymeric material in the first container with the solvent system in liquid form,

[0056] thereby obtaining a solvent system, which is enriched in colorant and optionally in the third polymer, compared to the solvent system provided in (a), and a polymeric material, which is depleted in colorant and optionally in the third polymer compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and comprises a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally a second polymer; and preferably

[0057] (b.4.3) transferring the solvent system obtained in (b.4.2) to the second container containing the solvent system provided in (a), preferably wherein the solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally enriched in the third polymer in liquid form drips from the first container (back) into the second container.

[0058] For these embodiments, all preferred options described above in relation to (b.2.1), (b.2.1'), (b.2.2), and / or (b.2.2') apply.

[0059] In some embodiments of the method, the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of argon, helium, neon, nitrogen, and mixtures of two or more of these inert gases, preferably at least comprising nitrogen, more preferably the inert gas is nitrogen.

[0060] In some embodiments of the method, the inert gas is directed through the solvent system and has a flow rate in the range of 1 to 150 l / h or passes along the surface of the solvent system and has a flow rate in the range of 1 to 150 l / h.

[0061] In some embodiments, the method further comprises

[0062] (b.5) removing the solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally enriched in the third polymer obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2) from the polymeric material (i.e. also from the first container) and recycling into the second container comprising the solvent system, preferably by dripping it into the second container comprising the solvent system (allowing the solvent system obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2) to drip into the second container comprising the solvent system).

[0063] In some embodiments of the method, (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), preferably (b.2), (b.3), (b.4) and (b.5) are performed in a continuous mode.

[0064] In some embodiments, the method further comprises

[0065] (b.6) at least partially removing the polymeric material obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2), thereby obtaining a polymeric material which is lean in colorant and optionally lean in the third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and which comprises a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally a second polymer.

[0066] In some embodiments, the method further comprises

[0067] (b.7) replacing at least partially the polymer material removed in (b.6) with fresh colored polymer material without replacing the solvent system provided in (a), wherein the fresh colored polymer material comprises a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, a colorant, optionally a second polymer, and optionally a third polymer, and repeating steps (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), optionally (b.5);

[0068] wherein steps (b.6) and (b.7) are preferably repeated at least once more, preferably in the range of one to at least 10 times more (batch mode); or wherein steps (b.6) and (b.7) are performed continuously (purge mode).

[0069] In some embodiments of the process, in the range of 1 wt-% to 50 wt-% of additional fresh solvent system is added, based on the total weight of the solvent system provided in (a) being 100 wt-%, wherein the addition is performed discontinuously (batch mode) or continuously (purge mode).

[0070] by treating the removed colorant in (b) in solution

[0071] In some alternative embodiments of the process, (b.1) comprises

[0072] (b.1’) contacting the colored polymer material of (a) with a solvent system at a temperature T of < 170°C, thereby obtaining a solvent system which is enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymer material which is depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymer material provided in (a);

[0073] (b.2’) optionally separating the polymer material which is depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) and comprises the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer from the solvent system.

[0074] The separation in (b.2’) is performed by methods and means known to the skilled person, especially solid-liquid separation methods such as filtration, e.g. heated pressure filtration, sedimentation or centrifugation (see Handbuch der mechanischen Fest-Flüssig-Trennung Taschenbuch - 29.04.2004 von Klaus Luckert (Herausgeber)). The colorant is at least partially retained in the separated solvent system obtained in (b.2’).

[0075] In alternative embodiments of the process, it is preferred that the contacting in (b.1 ') is carried out at a temperature T in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, 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, more preferably in the range of 120 °C to 150 °C.

[0076] "Contacting" in step (b.1 ') preferably means that the colored polymeric material is at least partially immersed into the solvent system. Preferably, the colored polymeric material is at least partially immersed into the (first or second) solvent system, wherein at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, more preferably at least 99 % of the surface of the colored polymeric material is in contact with the solvent system, based on 100 % of the total surface.

[0077] In alternative embodiments of the process, it is preferred that (b.1 ') is carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 200,000 hPa.

[0078] In some embodiments of the process, at least (b) is carried out in counter-current mode. For example, if the contacting of step (b) is carried out in a vessel, the solvent system enters the vessel from one direction (side or top / bottom) and the pigmented polymeric material enters the vessel from the other, preferably opposite, direction. In a preferred scenario, wherein a vertically arranged vessel is used, the solvent system enters the vessel from the bottom and the pigmented polymeric material enters the vessel from the top. In some embodiments of the process, at least (b) is carried out under mechanical mixing, wherein the mechanical mixing preferably comprises one or more methods selected from stirring, blending and ultrasonication.

[0079] Additional steps

[0080] Washing

[0081] In some embodiments of the process, (b) comprises

[0082] (b.y) optionally washing the polymeric material separated in (b.6) or in (b.2') with a washing solvent, thereby obtaining a washed polymeric material which is leaner in colorants compared to the polymeric material provided in (a).

[0083] Drying

[0084] In some embodiments of the process, (b) comprises

[0085] (b.z) drying the polymer material isolated in (b.6) or in (b.2') and / or the washed polymer material obtained accordingly in (b.y).

[0086] The washing in optional step (b.y) is preferably carried out with a solvent system having features (s.1) or (s.1a), preferably (s.1) or (s.1a) and (s.2), more preferably (s.1) or (s.1a), (s.2) and (s.3), preferably with a solvent system comprising one or more of the solvents in any one of the groups listed herein. Preferably, the washing in optional step (b.y) is carried out with the same solvent system as used for the color depletion. In some embodiments, the washing is carried out with 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.y) is carried out with 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.z) is preferably carried out under one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of a pressure in the range of 1 to 1013mbar; 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; drying in an atmosphere comprising nitrogen, preferably in an atmosphere having at least 90 vol-%, more preferably 95 vol-%, more preferably at least 98 vol-% nitrogen. The drying is carried out by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of contact drying, convection drying and radiation drying.

[0087] Solvent system

[0088] In some embodiments of the process, the solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein the solvent system

[0089] (s.1) has Hansen solubility parameters with respect to

[0090] - the energy from dispersion forces between molecules (δD ss ),

[0091] - the energy from dipole-dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP ss ), and

[0092] - the energy from hydrogen bonding between molecules (δH ss ),

[0093] which satisfy equation 1

[0094] (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)²

[0095] [Equation 1].

[0096] Preferably, the solvent system

[0097] (s.1a) has Hansen solubility parameters with respect to

[0098] - energy from dispersion forces between molecules (δD ss ),

[0099] - energy from dipole-dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP ss ), and

[0100] - energy from hydrogen bonding between molecules (δH ss ),

[0101] which satisfy Equation 2

[0102] (8.8)² ≥ 4(δD ss -20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)²

[0103] [Equation 2].

[0104] With respect to the solvent system, 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)² is greater than (11) 2 (i.e., 121), preferably 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), and 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)² is less than or equal to (11) 2 (i.e., 121), preferably 4(δD ss-20)² + (δP ss -11.8)² + (δH ss -4.5)² is less than or equal to (8.8) 2 Any solvent system having a Hansen distance (HD) of less than or equal to 8.8 (i.e. 77.44) is suitable for dissolving a colorant while leaving a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer almost completely undissolved and un-degraded within a certain temperature range. In case two or more solvents are part of the solvent system, i.e. n solvents, where n is an integer, n ≥ 2 and i = 1...n, the resulting mixture is calculated for each of the Hansen solubility parameters (δD ss , δH ss and δP ss as a weighted arithmetic mean of δD si , δH si and δP si from each S(i) of the n solvents, knowing the percentage fraction of each solvent in the solvent system. The Hansen parameters are found in BIOVIACOSMOquick 2022.

[0105] Considering the three-dimensional form given by e.g. equation 2 in three-dimensional Hansen space, a sphere is formed with its center at δD c = 20, δP c = 11.8 and δH c = 4.5 and a radius r of 8.8. According to Charles Hansen, the dispersion parameter values need to be doubled for the implementation of the spherical form. Since it is not possible to have a negative value for δH, the Hansen sphere can also be seen as a dome, i.e. a half-sphere. The same principle applies to the three-dimensional form given by equation 1 in three-dimensional Hansen space.

[0106] In some embodiments of the method

[0107] (s.2) each solvent of the solvent system has a boiling point at 1013 hPa of at least 150 °C, preferably at least 160 °C.

[0108] In some embodiments of the method

[0109] (s.3) does not include solvents having a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0110] In some embodiments of the method

[0111] (s.3a) does not include solvents having a functional group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), secondary amine (-NH-), carboxyl (COOH) and mercapto (SH).

[0112] In some embodiments of the method, the solvent system consists of two or more solvents, based on 100 wt-% of the total weight of the solvent system, at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 98 wt-%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt-% to 100 wt-%.

[0113] In some embodiments of the method, the solvent system consists of one solvent satisfying equation 1 and / or 2, based on 100 wt-% of the total weight of the solvent system, at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 98 wt-%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt-% to 100 wt-%.

[0114] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylphenylacetamide, 1,4-benzoquinone, phenylacetone, dimethyl terephthalate, 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene, 2-phenylphenylacetone, N-methylcaprolactam, methyl benzoate, methyl-4-methoxybenzoate, butylene carbonate, propylene glycol-dibenzoate, N-ethylpyrrolidone, benzophenone, dibenzyl malonate, N-ethyl-caprolactam, 2-(5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl) methyl acetate (FAME), phenylpropanone, N-methoxypropyl-pyrrolidone, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, cyclohexane-carbonate, N-methoxyethyl-pyrrolidone, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide, phenyl acetate, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one acetate (HEPAc), N,N-diethylbenzamide, isopropyl benzoate, cyclohexyl phenyl ketone, ethyl phenyl acetate, phenylacetat, N-methyl-morpholine, benzyl propionate, benzyl acetate, neopentyl glycol-dibenzoate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, N-methyl-imidazole, benzyl butyrate, 2-pyrrolidone, 2-phenoxyethanol propionate, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, N,N-dipropylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate (MMOC), gamma-valerolactone (GVL), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv Polarclean), caprolactam, phenyl ethyl acetate, methyl phenyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, N,N-dimethyl lactamide (Agnique AMD 3L), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0115] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, t-butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), gamma-valerolactone (GVL), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0116] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, t- butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), delta- valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and GVL.

[0117] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, t- butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), delta- valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

[0118] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, t- butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), 5- (dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), phenethyl acetate, and GVL.

[0119] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, t- butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), 5- (dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), and phenethyl acetate.

[0120] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cyrene, cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of γ-valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), acetophenone, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0121] In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, acetophenone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cyrene, cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof. In some embodiments of the method, the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), acetophenone, and mixtures of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP) and acetophenone.

[0122] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least N-butylpyrrolidone, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents, are N-butylpyrrolidone, more preferably the one solvent is N-butylpyrrolidone. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 101 to 81 K below the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone, preferably in the range of 91 to 81 K below the boiling point of N-butylpyrrolidone. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at 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 process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapor pressure curve of N-butylpyrrolidone at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of N-butylpyrrolidone is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging, e.g. by a purge valve, to a pressure which is preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0123] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least propylene carbonate, 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-%, of the total weight of the one or more solvents, more preferably the one solvent, is propylene carbonate. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 102 to 82 K below the boiling point of propylene carbonate, preferably in the range of 92 to 82 K below the boiling point of propylene carbonate. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at 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 process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapor pressure curve of propylene carbonate at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of propylene carbonate is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging, e.g. by a purge valve. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0124] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least acetophenone, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents are acetophenone, more preferably the one solvent is acetophenone, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 62 to 42 K below the boiling point of acetophenone, preferably in the range of 52 to 42 K below the boiling point of acetophenone. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run under autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapour pressure of acetophenone at the temperature T at which the process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapour pressure curve of acetophenone at a certain temperature T. The vapour pressure curve of acetophenone is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging, e.g. by a purge valve. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0125] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents are DMSO, more preferably the one solvent is DMSO, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents 100 wt-%. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T which can be in the range of 49 to 29 K below the boiling point of DMSO, preferably in the range of 39 to 29 K below the boiling point of DMSO. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at 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 process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapor pressure curve of DMSO at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of DMSO is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced by purging, e.g. by a purge valve, to a pressure which is preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0126] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least Dihydrolevogluconone (Cyrene) at 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents are Cyrene, more preferably the one solvent is Cyrene, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 86 to 66 K below the boiling point of Cyrene, preferably in the range of 76 to 66 K below the boiling point of Cyrene. The contacting in (b.1) or (b.2’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at 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 process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapor pressure curve of Cyrene at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of Cyrene is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and lower 2000 hPa, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging, e.g. by a purge valve. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0127] In some embodiments of the process, the one or more solvents comprise at least cyclohexanone, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents are cyclohexanone, more preferably the one solvent is cyclohexanone, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents. In some embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 155 °C, more preferably in the range of 145 °C to 150 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 16 to 1 K below the boiling point of cyclohexanone, preferably in the range of 11 to 6 K below the boiling point of cyclohexanone. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at autogenous pressure, wherein the autogenous pressure can be higher than the ambient pressure of the surrounding area caused by the vapor pressure of cyclohexanone at the temperature T at which the process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure according to the vapor pressure curve of cyclohexanone at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of cyclohexanone is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging, e.g. by a purge valve. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0128] In some embodiments of the process, ethyl benzoate and butyl benzoate are not included as solvents.

[0129] In some embodiments of the process, the solvent system comprises GVL, wherein the solvent system consists of GVL based on the total weight of the solvent system of 100 wt-%, 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-%. In these embodiments, the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, wherein T can preferably be in the range of 140 °C to 160 °C, more preferably in the range of 150 °C to 160 °C, or the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T, which can be in the range of 65 to 45 K below the boiling point of GVL, preferably in the range of 55 to 45 K below the boiling point of GVL. The contacting in (b.1’) is preferably carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 1200 hPa. Preferably, the process is run at 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 process is run. The skilled person can determine and / or adjust said autogenous pressure from the vapor pressure curve of GVL at a certain temperature T. The vapor pressure curve of GVL is known to the skilled person. The autogenous pressure can be reduced to a pressure preferably between ambient pressure and 2000 hPa lower, preferably between 1200 hPa and 1800 hPa, by purging, e.g. by a purge valve. The autogenous pressure is the pressure caused by the production system itself in a closed system, e.g. a pressure in the range of 800 to 3000 hPa.

[0130] Preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers of the polymer material obtained in (b) have a number average molecular weight Mn which is greater than or at least equal to the number average molecular weight Mn of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers comprised in the polymer material provided in (a). Preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers of the polymer material obtained in (b) have a dispersity Mw / Mn (mass average molecular weight Mw divided by number average molecular weight Mn) in the range of 70% to 95%, preferably in the range of 75% to 90%, of the dispersity Mw / Mn of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers comprised in the polymer material provided in (a).

[0131] Depolymerization in (c)

[0132] In some embodiments of the process, the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of alcoholysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis, aminolysis, ammonolysis and mixtures of two or more of these methods.

[0133] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is by alcoholysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the polymer material obtained in (b) that is depleted of colorants with a Ci to C4alkyl mono-alcohol, thereby obtaining di(Ci to C4alkyl) terephthalate and / or di(Ci to C4alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol.

[0134] In some embodiments of the method, the Ci to C4alkyl mono-alcohol is methanol, wherein di-methyl terephthalate and / or di-methyl isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol are obtained.

[0135] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is by glycolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the polymer material obtained in (b) that is depleted of colorants with a Ci to C6alkyl di-alcohol, thereby obtaining bis(hydroxy Ci to C6alkyl) terephthalate and / or bis(hydroxy Ci to C6alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol.

[0136] In some embodiments of the method, the Ci to C6alkyl di-alcohol is ethylene glycol, wherein bis(hydroxy ethylene) terephthalate and / or bis(hydroxy ethylene) isophthalate and / or bis(hydroxy Ci to C6alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol are obtained.

[0137] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is by hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the polymer material obtained in (b) that is depleted of colorants with water, thereby obtaining terephthalic acid (TPA) and / or isophthalic acid and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol.

[0138] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is by alkaline hydrolysis.

[0139] In some embodiments of the method, the hydrolysis is by enzyme catalyzed hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the polymer material obtained in (b) that is depleted of colorants with water in the presence of an enzyme, thereby obtaining terephthalic acid (TPA) and / or isophthalic acid and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol.

[0140] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is by hydrolysis at a pressure in the range of 30 x 10 3 to 120 x 10 3 hPa.

[0141] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is performed by hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises

[0142] (c.1 ) preparing a melt of the colorant-depleted polymeric material, thereby obtaining a melt of the colorant-depleted polymeric material;

[0143] (c.2) contacting the melt of the polymeric material obtained in (c.1 ) with a base, preferably an inorganic alkali metal-based base, more preferably sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, thereby obtaining a base-containing melt;

[0144] (c.3) contacting the base-containing melt obtained in (c.2) with water, thereby obtaining terephthalate (with the corresponding alkali metal cation) and / or isophthalate (with the corresponding alkali metal cation) and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol and / or butanediol.

[0145] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is performed by aminolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b) with a monoalkylamine R 1 R 2 NH2, wherein R 1 is a Ci to C4 alkyl group and R 2 is selected from a hydrogen atom and a Ci to C4 alkyl group; thereby obtaining R 1 R 2 NC(=0)-phenyl-C(=0)NR 2 R 1 (wherein the substituents at the phenyl ring are in para or meta position), and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0146] In some embodiments of the method, the depolymerization of (c) is performed by aminolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b) with a monoalkylamine R 1 R 2 NH2, wherein R 1 is a Ci to C4 alkyl group and R 2 is selected from a hydrogen atom and a Ci to C4 alkyl group; thereby obtaining R 1 R 2 NC(=0)-phenyl-C(=0)NR 2 R 1 (wherein the substituents at the phenyl ring are in para or meta position), and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0147] (c) is performed by acid or base catalysis with an alcohol, wherein “acid” comprises Lewis acids and Bronsted acids and “base” comprises Lewis bases and Bronsted bases, as known to the skilled person.

[0148] In some embodiments of the method, the transesterification of (c) is performed by acid or base catalysis with an alcohol, wherein “acid” comprises Lewis acids and Bronsted acids and “base” comprises Lewis bases and Bronsted bases, as known to the skilled person.

[0149] In some embodiments of the method, one or more catalysts containing metal cations are used, wherein the metal is preferably titanium or tin.

[0150] In some embodiments of this method, the alcohol is R. 3 -OH, where R 3 Is it a straight chain or a branched chain C2 to C? 12 Alkyl residues.

[0151] In some embodiments, the transesterification product is di(C2 to C3) terephthalic acid. 12 alkyl esters and / or di(C2 to C3) isophthalic acid ... 12 Alkyl esters, ethylene glycol, and / or cyclohexanediethanol.

[0152] In some embodiments of the method, the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of 2-propylheptanol, 2-ethylhexanol, isopropanol, isononol, pentanol, butanol, isomers of these alcohols, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0153] The reaction conditions, catalysts, etc. used for the above-mentioned reaction types are well known to those skilled in the art; see, for example, Raheem et al., Journal of Cleaner Production 225 (2019) 1052e1064, Paszun et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1997, 36, 1373, and Barnard et al., Green Chem. 2021, 23, 3765–3789.

[0154] Polymers based on polyalkylene terephthalate

[0155] "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.

[0156] Preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate)), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and mixtures of two or three of these polymers, or 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.

[0157] In some embodiments, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises 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 96 wt-%, more preferably at least 97 wt-% of PET, based on the total weight of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer being 100 wt-%, and / or, preferably at most 20 wt-%, 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-% of PETI, based on the total weight of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer being 100 wt-%.

[0158] In some embodiments, the “polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer” comprises or is a polyester based on 1,4-butanediol or 1,2-ethanediol, more preferably a polyester selected from the group consisting of a polymer based on 1,4-butanediol and terephthalic acid (polybutylene terephthalate, PBT), a polymer based on 1,2-ethanediol and terephthalic acid (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), a copolymer of 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid and terephthalic acid (polybutylene adipate terephthalate, PBAT), a polymer of 1,2-ethanediol and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (polyethylene furandicarboxylate, PEF) and mixtures of two or more of these (co)polymers.

[0159] More preferably, the “polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer” comprises at least PET and / or PBT, more preferably the polyester is PET or PBT or a mixture of PET and PBT.

[0160] More preferably the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises or is PET.

[0161] In some embodiments of the process, the colored polymeric material is derived from bottles and / or textiles. In some embodiments, the colored polymeric material is derived from textiles such as clothing, wherein the textile is preferably subjected to a sorting process prior to subjecting the polymeric material to the process according to the present application. The sorting process preferably comprises one or more NIR sorting steps, wherein the textile is analyzed by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and, based on the analysis results, sorted based on its composition. Thus, the polymeric material subjected to the process according to the present application is preferably a pre-sorted, more preferably NIR pre-sorted, textile. The textile has preferably already undergone a size reduction, more preferably a cutting and / or shredding step. Thus, the polymeric material subjected to the process according to the present application is preferably a pre-sorted, more preferably NIR pre-sorted, and / or size-reduced, more preferably cut and / or shredded, textile. In some embodiments, the polymeric material subjected to the process according to the present application is preferably a pre-sorted, more preferably NIR pre-sorted, and / or size-reduced, more preferably cut and / or shredded, textile having a content of PA6 of less than 10 wt-%, more preferably less than 5 wt-%, more preferably less than 4 wt-%, more preferably less than 3 wt-%, more preferably less than 2 wt-%, more preferably less than 1 wt-%, based on the total weight of the polymeric material. Reducing the content of PA in the textile can provide an improved quality of the obtained polyester, in particular polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer.

[0162] second polymer (iii)

[0163] In some embodiments of the process, the second polymer (iii) is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), preferably PA6 and / or PA66, natural polymers, preferably cotton, viscose, flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0164] third polymer (iv)

[0165] In some embodiments of the process, the third polymer (iv) is elastane.

[0166] In some embodiments of the method, the elastane fibers comprise and / or consist of one or more polyurethane-based elastane fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastane fibers, preferably the elastane fibers comprise and / or consist of one or more polyurethane-based elastane fibers, wherein each based on the total weight of the elastane fibers 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 elastane fibers are polyurethane-based elastane fibers.

[0167] The polyurethane-based elastic fiber is preferably a polyurethane-based (block) copolymer. The polyurethane-based (block) copolymer is preferably a (block) copolymer of a polyurethane and one or more polyethers selected from the group consisting of copolymers of polyethylene glycol, polytetrahydrofuran, 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran, and copolymers of 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran, wherein the polyurethane-based (block) copolymer is more preferably a (block) copolymer of a polyurethane and polyethylene glycol or a (block) copolymer of a polyurethane and polytetrahydrofuran, wherein more preferably in each of these (block) copolymers of a polyurethane, the polyurethane content is at least 85 wt-% of the total weight of 100 wt-% of the (block) copolymer. The expression “(block) copolymer” means copolymers and block copolymers, with block copolymers being preferred. (Block) copolymers of a polyurethane with one or more polyethers selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polytetrahydrofuran, copolymers of 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran, and copolymers of 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran and tetrahydrofuran, especially when the polyurethane content is at least 85 wt-% of the total weight of 100 wt-% of the (block) copolymer, are also known under the generic names such as “spandex”, “elastane”, “elastano”, “elastam”, “elastaan”, or “lycra”. In addition, brand names include “Lycra”, “Elaspan”, “Acepora”, “Creora”, “INVIYA”, “ROICA”, “Dorlastan”, “Linel” and “ESPA”. The polyester-based elastic fiber is preferably a poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) copolymer, wherein the poly(trimethylene terephthalate) copolymer is more preferably selected from the group of copolyesters synthesized from 2 or more reactants, each having two functional groups capable of forming ester groups.For example, poly(trimethylene terephthalate) copolymer can be prepared by reacting 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid and optionally one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, cyclic aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, branched aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms (such as succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid or ester-forming equivalents thereof), aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 12 carbon atoms other than terephthalic acid (such as phthalic acid, isophthalic acid or 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid); linear diols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms other than 1,3-propanediol, cyclic diols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and branched aliphatic diols having 2 to 8 carbon atoms (such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, hexamethylene glycol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3- propanediol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, cyclohexane dimethanol or 1,4-cyclohexanediol), aliphatic ether diols having 4 to 10 carbon atoms and aromatic ether diols having 4 to 10 carbon atoms (such as hydroquinone bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether). Alternatively, poly(trimethylene terephthalate) copolymer can be prepared from poly(ether) glycols having a molecular weight below 460 g / mol, such as diethyl ether glycol, methoxy polyalkylene glycol, diethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. The comonomer is present in the copolymer in an amount in the range of 0.5 to 30 mol%, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 20 mol%. The general name for poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) copolymer is “Sorona”, wherein Sorona in some embodiments is a copolymer of 1,3-propane diol (preferably obtained by formation) and terephthalic acid (TPA) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), wherein preferably in the range of 20 to 50 weight-%, more preferably in the range of 30 to 40 weight-% of the copolymer is based on 1,3-propane diol, more preferably 1,3-propane diol obtained from renewable resources.

[0168] The colored polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer which is different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) a third polymer which is different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and different from the second polymer of (iii), wherein the second polymer is optionally selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), preferably PA6 and / or PA66, natural polymers, preferably cotton, viscose, flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof; and / or wherein the third polymer is optionally an elastic fiber, which preferably comprises and / or consists of one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastic fibers, more preferably the elastic fiber comprises and / or consists of one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers, wherein the respective based on the total weight of the 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 fiber is a polyurethane-based elastic fiber. Optionally, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material is 100 wt-%, at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 97 wt-% of the colored polymeric material consists of (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iv) a third polymer, wherein the third polymer is optionally an elastic fiber, which preferably comprises and / or consists of one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastic fibers, more preferably the elastic fiber comprises and / or consists of one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers, wherein the respective based on the total weight of the 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 fiber is a polyurethane-based elastic fiber.Optionally, less than 10 wt-%, preferably less than 5 wt-%, more preferably less than 3 wt-% of the colored polymeric material, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material being 100 wt-%, is (iii) a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is optionally selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), preferably PA6 and / or PA66, natural polymers, preferably cotton, viscose, flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Optionally, at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 97 wt-% of the colored polymeric material, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material being 100 wt-%, consists of (i) the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) the colorant, and optionally (iii) a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is optionally selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), preferably PA6 and / or PA66, natural polymers, preferably cotton, viscose, flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Optionally, less than 10 wt-%, preferably less than 5 wt-%, more preferably less than 3 wt-% of the colored polymeric material, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material being 100 wt-%, is (iv) a third polymer, wherein the third polymer is optionally an elastic fiber, preferably comprising, more preferably consisting of, one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastic fibers, more preferably the elastic fiber comprises, more preferably consists of, one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers, wherein each based on the total weight of the elastic fiber being 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 fiber is a polyurethane-based elastic fiber. Optionally, at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 97 wt-% of the colored polymeric material, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material being 100 wt-%, consists of (i) the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and (ii) the colorant. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt-%, preferably less than 5 wt-%, more preferably less than 3 wt-% of the colored polymeric material, based on the total weight of the colored polymeric material being 100 wt-%, is (iii) a second polymer and (iv) a third polymer.

[0169] colorant

[0170] In some embodiments of the method, the colorant is selected from the group consisting of dyes and optical brighteners and mixtures of dyes and optical brighteners.

[0171] A "colorant" is a substance that causes a change in the color impression of a material. This includes dyes and optical brighteners that absorb in the wavelength interval of visible light (400 to 780 nm) and amplify the light emission of a material by UV light absorption and visible light emission (by fluorescence), i.e. optical brighteners convert radiation that is not visible to the human eye (< 400 nm) into visible fluorescent radiation in the blue-red spectral range (400 to 600 nm). Colorants that can be used or are used to change the color impression of a polymeric material are known to the skilled person. In the context of the present invention, the term "dye" means any kind of dye such as a dye, a pigment, a dispersion, wherein the dye is for example one or more selected from the group consisting of acid dyes, basic dyes, direct dyes, disperse dyes, azo dyes, food dyes, solvent dyes, organic dyes, organic pigments, sulfur dyes, mordant dyes and vat dyes. The term "optical brightener" includes optical brighteners, fluorescent brighteners and fluorescent whitening agents.

[0172] A summary of colorants for polymeric materials can be found for example in the following documents: “Dyes and Pigments” Metin Açikyildiz, Kübra Günes, Ahmet Gürses Springer, 2016 (ISBN: 10: 3319338900); Industrial Organic Pigments - Klaus Hunger, Thomas Heber, Martin U. Schmidt, Friedrich Reisinger, Stefan Wanne Wiley-VCH Verlag, 4th edition, 2018 (ISBN: 978-3-527-32608-2); Chemistry and Technology of Natural and Synthetic Dyes and Pigments - Ashis Kumar Samanta, Nasser Awwad, IntechOpen, 2020 (ISBN: 9781789859980, 9781789859973, 9781839687587); Encyclopedia of Color, Dyes, Pigments - Volume 1, Gerhard Pfaff, de Gruyter, 2021 (ISBN: 311058588X); Heinrich Zollinger: Color Chemistry: Syntheses, Properties, and Applications of Organic Dyes and Pigments. 3rd edition. WILEY-VCH Verlag, Weinheim 2003 (ISBN: 3-906390-23-3); Klaus Hunger (Editor): Industrial Dyes: Chemistry, Properties, Applications.WILEY-VCH Verlag, Weinheim 2003 (ISBN: 3-662-01950-7); Hermann Rath: Lehrbuch der Textilchemie. einschl. der textilchemischen Technologie. 2nd Edition. Springer- Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg 1963 (ISBN: 978-3-662-00065-6); Wilfried Kratzert, Rasmus Peichert: Farbstoffe. Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1981 (ISBN: 3-494-01021-8); Ullmann's Encyclopedia of industrial chemistry, Wiley-VCH Verlag, 2000, "dyes and pigments" and "dyes, general survey" sections (ISBN: 9783527303854).

[0173] In some embodiments of the method, poor colorant with regard to the obtained polymeric material means that the L a b The change in the value of

[0174] a is preferably at least 0.2; and / or, preferably and,

[0175] b is preferably at least 0.2; and / or, preferably and,

[0176] L is preferably at least 4,

[0177] each compared to the L a b value of the colored polymeric material provided in (a), wherein the L a b value is determined according to DIN 5033 and DIN EN ISO 11664-1.6.

[0178] The expression "independent of the color" means that the definitions given above apply to a monochromatic polymer material, even if the analysis is usually carried out separately for each color of material, but also to a polymer material having a plurality of colors and to a mixture of a plurality of polymer materials, each having its own color or its own color mixture.

[0179] The above quantitative L a b The condition of "poor colorant" indicated by the values can also be identified visually by the eye: the polymer material provided in (a) has a certain color, wherein the polymer material obtained, preferably obtained from (b), (b.4), (b.2.'), or (b6), respectively, is lighter and whiter as described herein. This applies in particular to all colorants that are not optical brighteners. By poor colorant with respect to the polymer material obtained means, in particular for optical brighteners as colorants, that the intensity of the emitted fluorescent radiation (emission), preferably in the range of 400-600 nm, is reduced when the polymer material obtained in (s) is irradiated with light having a wavelength in the range of 250 to 400 nm compared to the intensity of the emitted fluorescent radiation (emission), preferably in the range of 400 to 600 nm, of the polymer material provided in (a).

[0180] The methods for determining the intensity of the emitted fluorescent radiation are known to the skilled person, for example, it can be determined visually, by fluorescence determination or quantum yield determination by using a UV lamp.

[0181] Separation of the second polymer (iii)

[0182] In some embodiments, if the second polymer (iii) is present in the polymer material provided in (a), the method further comprises:

[0183] (d) separating the second polymer (iii) from the monomer and / or oligomer or trans-esterification product obtained in (c), thereby obtaining the monomer and / or oligomer or trans-esterification product separately and the second polymer (iii) separately.

[0184] Separation of the third polymer (iv)

[0185] In some embodiments, if the third polymer (iv) is present in the polymer material provided in (a), the method further comprises:

[0186] (b.z) separating the third polymer (iv) from the solvent system enriched in colorants obtained in (b), (b.4), (b.4.2.), (b.5) and / or (b.2') thereby obtaining the third polymer (iv) separately.

[0187] The separation of the third polymer, if present in the polymeric material, and optionally the colorants is carried out by, for example, distillation, wherein the solvent system is removed and the remaining residue is put into further use.

[0188] In some embodiments, the process comprises recycling the separated solvent system obtained in one or more of the process steps described above back into the process, optionally after one or more post-treatment steps.

[0189] Second aspect - monomers, oligomers or transesterification products of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers

[0190] The second aspect of the present application relates to a polyalkylene terephthalate-based monomer, oligomer or trans-esterification product obtained or obtainable by the process of the first aspect, preferably step (d). All details and embodiments disclosed above in the part relating to the first aspect as well as alternative embodiments also apply to the second aspect.

[0191] Third aspect - re-polymerisation of monomers, oligomers and / or transesterification products

[0192] In a fourth aspect, the present application relates to a process, preferably according to the first aspect, comprising the further step of:

[0193] - converting, preferably polymerizing, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based monomer, oligomer or trans-esterification product obtained or obtainable according to the process of the first aspect to obtain one or more polymers or polymer products.

[0194] All details and embodiments disclosed above in the part relating to the first aspect as well as alternative embodiments also apply to the third aspect.

[0195] Preferably, the one or more polymers is a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer. A "polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer" consists of oxyethylene units or oxybutylene units and oxyterephthaloyl units, wherein in the case of oxyethylene units, 0 to 5 mol-% of the oxyterephthaloyl units are replaced by oxyisophthaloyl units and / or 0 to 49 mol-% of the oxyethylene units are replaced by oxymethylene cyclohexylidenemethylene units. Preferably, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-1,4-cyclohexylidenedimethylene terephthalate)), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-ethylene isophthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and mixtures of two or more of these polymers, or 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.

[0196] In some embodiments, the "polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer" is a polyester based on 1,4-butanediol or 1,2-ethanediol, more preferably a polyester selected from the group consisting of a polymer based on 1,4-butanediol and terephthalic acid (polybutylene terephthalate, PBT), a polymer based on 1,2-ethanediol and terephthalic acid (polyethylene terephthalate, PET), a copolymer of 1,4-butanediol, adipic acid and terephthalic acid (poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), PBAT), a polymer of 1,2-ethanediol and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (poly(ethylene furandicarboxylate), PEF) and mixtures of two or more of these (co)polymers.

[0197] More preferably, the "polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer" comprises at least PET and / or PBT, more preferably the polyester is PET or PBT or a mixture of PET and PBT.

[0198] More preferably the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises or is PET.

[0199] Preferably, the polymeric product is a textile, a fiber, a packaging, a plastic, preferably:

[0200] - automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine covers, housings for charge air coolers, charge air cooler baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, cooling water tanks, housings, housing parts for heat exchangers, coolant coolers, charge air coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, parts of battery systems of electric cars, instrument panels, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission components, door modules, A-, B-, C- or D-pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windscreen wipers, windscreen wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, head- and tail lamps, engine covers, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, bumpers or coatings;

[0201] - clothing, preferably shirts, trousers, pullovers, boots, shoes, shoe soles, tights or jackets;

[0202] - electrical parts, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing parts, foils, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (IC), processors, controllers, memories, sensors, micro switches, micro pushbuttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light emitting diodes (LED), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, film hinges, spring hooks (snap-in) or spring tongues of electrical or electronic components;

[0203] - consumer, agricultural or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial grass, 3D-printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, clothing for paper machines, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, plain bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, rollers, ring gears, screw and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattress, bumpers, insulation materials, detergents, dishwasher washing blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides;

[0204] - packaging for the food industry, preferably single- or multi-layer blown films, cast films (single- or multi-layer), biaxially stretched films, or laminated films; or

[0205] - structural parts, preferably rotor blades, insulation materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0206] The conversion, preferably polymerization step, of the obtained monomers, oligomers or transesterification products of polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers to re-polymerize into polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers can comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to the person skilled in the art (see for example, Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry [Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry], "Polyesters" section, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. 2018, 10.1002 / 14356007.a21_227.pub2).

[0207] Fourth aspect - conversion of second polymer (iii) and / or third polymer (iv)

[0208] In a fourth aspect, the present application relates to a method, preferably according to the first aspect, comprising the further step of:

[0209] - converting the isolated second polymer (iii) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) obtainable or obtained by the method of the first aspect, preferably the isolated second polymer (iii) obtained or obtainable from step (d) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) obtained or obtainable from any one of steps (b), (b.4), (b.4.2.), (b.5) and (b.2') to obtain one or more monomers, polymers or polymer products.

[0210] All details and examples disclosed above in the section relating to the first aspect as well as alternative embodiments also apply to the fourth aspect.

[0211] Preferably, the polymer is and / or the polymer product comprises a polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA 66; a polyisocyanate polyaddition product, preferably a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polyurea or a polyisocyanurate (PIR); a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a polyethylene (PE), a polypropylene (PP), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a polystyrene (PS), a polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), a polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a polybutadiene (BR, PBD), a poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), a poly(trans-1,4-isoprene), a polyoxymethylene (POM), a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), a polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT), a polyester (PES), a polyether sulfone (PESU), a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), a polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), a polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), a polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), a polylactic acid (PLA), a polysulfone (PSU), a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a polycarbonate (PC), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), a poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or a copolymer or mixture thereof.

[0212] Preferably, the polymer and / or the polymer product is or is part of:

[0213] - an automotive part, preferably a cylinder head cover, an engine cover, an outer shell of a charge air cooler, a charge air cooler baffle, an air intake duct, an intake manifold, a connector, a gear wheel, a fan wheel, a cooling water tank, an outer shell, an outer shell part of a heat exchanger, a coolant cooler, a charge air cooler, a thermostat, a water pump, a radiator, a fastener, a part of a battery system of an electric car, an instrument panel, a steering column switch, a seat, a headrest, a center console, a transmission component, a door module, an A-, B-, C- or D-pillar cover, a spoiler, a door handle, an exterior mirror, a windscreen wiper, a windscreen wiper protection cover, a decorative grille, a cover strip, a roof rail, a window frame, a sunroof frame, an antenna panel, a headlight and a tail light, an engine cover, a cylinder head cover, an intake manifold, an airbag, a cushion or a coating;

[0214] - a cloth, preferably a shirt, trousers, a pullover, boots, shoes, a shoe sole, a body suit or a jacket;

[0215] - electrical parts, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing parts, foils, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (IC), processors, controllers, memories, sensors, micro switches, micro push buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light emitting diodes (LEDs), fasteners for electrical or electronic components, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, film hinges, spring hooks (snap-in) or spring tongues;

[0216] - consumer goods, agricultural products or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial grass, 3D-printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, paper machine cloths, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, plain bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, rollers, ring gears, screw and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattress pads, cushioning pads, insulation materials, detergents, dishwasher washing blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides;

[0217] - packaging for the food industry, preferably single- or multi-layer blown films, cast films (single- or multi-layer), biaxially stretched films, or laminated films; or

[0218] - structural parts, preferably rotor blades, insulation materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0219] Preferably, the content of the second polymer (iii) and / or the third polymer (iv) separated in the polymer and / or the polymer product is 1 wt-% or more, preferably 2 wt-% or more, more preferably 5 wt-% or more, more preferably 15 wt-% or more, more preferably 30 wt-% or more, more preferably 40 wt-% or more, more preferably 60 wt-% or more, more preferably 80 wt-% or more, more preferably 90 wt-% or more, more preferably 95 wt-% or more; and / or

[0220] The content of the second polymer separated in the polymer and / or the 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

[0221] wherein preferably the content is determined based on an identity preservation and / or segregation and / or mass balance and / or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on a mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

[0222] The conversion steps to obtain monomers, polymers, or polymer products from the separated second polymer (iii) and / or the separated third polymer (iv) may include one or more synthetic steps and can be carried out by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Independent of those skilled in the art assessing the novelty and inventive step of the independent claims, those skilled in the art to perform one or more conversion steps are preferably 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; "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, WO2006034800 A1, EP 1529792 A1, WO 2006042674 A1, EP 0364854 A2, US 5506275 A, EP0897402 A1, WO 2015082316 A1, WO 2021021855 A1, WO 2021126938 A1, WO 2021021902A1, WO 2021092311 A1, WO 2008155271 A1, WO 2013139827 A1, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0223] The application is further illustrated by the following examples and combinations of examples as indicated by the respective dependencies and back references. In particular, it should be noted that in each case where a series of examples is mentioned, for example in the context of the term "as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 4", each example of this series is intended to be explicitly disclosed to the skilled person, i.e. the wording of this term is to be understood by the skilled person as being synonymous to "as described in any one of embodiments 1, 2, 3 and 4".

[0224] 1. A process for recycling a pigmented polymeric material, wherein the pigmented polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer polyalkylene terephthalate [CH2] x wherein x is an integer in the range of 1 to 4, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) a third polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and different from the second polymer of (iii), the process comprising

[0225] (a) providing a pigmented polymeric material and a solvent system;

[0226] (b) contacting the pigmented polymeric material provided in (a) with the solvent system provided in (a) under conditions allowing for colorant removal but not allowing for dissolution of the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant compared to the solvent system provided and a polymeric material depleted in colorant compared to the pigmented polymeric material provided in (a);

[0227] (c) depolymerization or transesterification of the polymeric material depleted in colorant obtained in (b); thereby obtaining monomers and / or oligomers or transesterification products.

[0228] 2. The process of embodiment 1, wherein (b) comprises

[0229] (b.1 ) providing the pigmented polymeric material in a first vessel and the solvent system in a second vessel;

[0230] wherein the first vessel and the second vessel are arranged spatially separated from each other but allow for gas and fluid communication between each other;

[0231] (b.2) forming a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system and removing the gas stream from the second vessel;

[0232] (b.3) allowing the solvent system in liquid form to separate from the gas stream at a location outside the second vessel (also outside the first vessel), obtaining a solvent system in liquid form;

[0233] (b.4) contacting the pigmented polymer material in the first vessel with the solvent system in liquid form that has been separated from the gas stream in (b.3),

[0234] thereby obtaining a solvent system that is enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymer material that is depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the pigmented polymer material provided in (a) and comprising the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer (i) and optionally the second polymer (iii).

[0235] 3. The method according to embodiment 2, wherein (b.2) comprises

[0236] (b.2.1) heating the solvent system to a temperature that is at least equal to or higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent system;

[0237] (b.2.2) obtaining a gas stream comprising at least a fraction of the solvent system.

[0238] 4. The method according to embodiment 2 or 3, wherein additionally an inert gas is applied, which forms part of the gas stream comprising at least a fraction of the solvent system.

[0239] 5. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein (b.2) comprises

[0240] (b.2.1’) heating the solvent system to a temperature T that is at most 3 K lower than the boiling temperature of the solvent system; such that a solvent system with elevated temperature is obtained;

[0241] (b.2.2’) contacting the solvent system with elevated temperature with an inert gas, preferably passing an inert gas through the solvent system with elevated temperature, such that a gas stream comprising at least a fraction of the solvent system is formed.

[0242] 6. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 5, wherein (b.3) comprises

[0243] (b.3.1) transferring the gas stream from the second vessel to a location outside the second vessel (also outside the first vessel);

[0244] (b.3.2) allowing a portion of the solvent system contained in the gas stream to be separated from the gas stream in liquid form at a location outside of the second vessel (also outside of the first vessel), obtaining a solvent system in liquid form.

[0245] 7. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 6, wherein (b.4) comprises

[0246] (b.4.1) transferring the solvent system in liquid form obtained in (b.3.2) into the colored polymeric material in the first vessel;

[0247] (b.4.2) contacting the colored polymeric material in the first vessel with the solvent system in liquid form,

[0248] thereby obtaining a solvent system which is enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material which is depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and which comprises the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally the second polymer.

[0249] 8. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 7, wherein the first vessel containing the polymeric material and the second vessel containing the solvent system are arranged spatially separated from each other, wherein the first vessel containing the polymeric material is arranged above the second vessel containing the solvent system.

[0250] 9. The method according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein (b.4.2) comprises contacting the colored polymeric material with the solvent system in liquid form of (b.4.1), wherein the solvent system in liquid form is dropped onto the colored polymeric material.

[0251] 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 9, wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of argon, helium, neon, nitrogen and mixtures of two or more of these inert gases, preferably at least comprising nitrogen, more preferably the inert gas is nitrogen.

[0252] 11. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 10, wherein the inert gas is directed through the solvent system and has a flow rate in the range of 1 to 150 l / h or passes along the surface of the solvent system and has a flow rate in the range of 1 to 150 l / h.

[0253] 12. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 11, further comprising

[0254] (b.5) removing the solvent system rich in colorant and optionally in third polymer obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2) from the polymeric material (i.e. also removed from the first vessel) and recycling it into the second vessel comprising the solvent system, preferably by dripping it into the second vessel comprising the solvent system (allowing the solvent system obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2) to drip into the second vessel comprising the solvent system).

[0255] 13. The process of any one of embodiments 2 to 12, wherein (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), preferably (b.2), (b.3), (b.4) and (b.5) are carried out in continuous mode.

[0256] 14. The process of any one of embodiments 2 to 13, further comprising

[0257] (b.6) at least partially removing the polymeric material obtained in (b.4) or (b.4.2), thereby obtaining a polymeric material which is lean in colorant and optionally lean in third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and which comprises the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer and optionally the second polymer.

[0258] 15. The process of embodiment 14, further comprising

[0259] (b.7) at least partially replacing the polymeric material removed in (b.6) with fresh colored polymeric material without replacing the solvent system provided in (a), wherein the fresh colored polymeric material comprises polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, colorant, optionally second polymer and optionally third polymer, and repeating steps (b.2), (b.3) and (b.4), optionally (b.5);

[0260] wherein

[0261] steps (b.6) and (b.7) are preferably repeated at least once, preferably in the range of one to at least 10 times (batch mode); or

[0262] wherein steps (b.6) and (b.7) are carried out continuously (purge mode).

[0263] 16. The process of any one of embodiments 2 to 15, wherein in the range of 1 wt-% to 50 wt-% of additional fresh solvent system is added, based on the total weight of the solvent system provided in (a) being 100 wt-%, wherein the addition is carried out discontinuously (batch mode) or continuously (purge mode).

[0264] 17. The method of embodiment 1, wherein (b) comprises

[0265] (b.1’) contacting the pigmented polymer material of (a) with a solvent system at a temperature T < 170 °C, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymer material depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the pigmented polymer material provided in (a);

[0266] (b.2’) optionally separating the polymer material depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) and comprising the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer from the solvent system.

[0267] 18. The method of embodiment 17, wherein the contacting in (b.1’) is carried out at a temperature T in the range of 10 °C to < 170 °C, preferably in the range of 110 °C to 165 °C, more preferably in the range of 120 °C to 150 °C.

[0268] 19. The method of embodiment 17 or 18, wherein (b.1’) is carried out at a pressure in the range of 800 to 200,000 hPa.

[0269] 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein the solvent system

[0270] (s.1) has Hansen solubility parameters with respect to

[0271] - the energy from dispersion forces between molecules (δD ss ),

[0272] - the energy from dipole-dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (δP ss ), and

[0273] - the energy from hydrogen bonding between molecules (δH ss ),

[0274] which satisfy equation 1

[0275] (11)² ≥ 4(δD ss -17.5)² + (δP ss -7.5)² + (δH ss -7.5)²

[0276] [Equation 1].

[0277] 21. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the solvent system comprises one or more solvents, wherein the solvent system

[0278] (s.1a) has Hansen solubility parameters with respect to

[0279] - energy from dispersion forces between molecules (5D ss ),

[0280] - energy from dipole-dipole intermolecular forces between molecules (5P ss ), and

[0281] - energy from hydrogen bonding between molecules (5H ss ),

[0282] which satisfy equation 2

[0283] (8.8)2≥ 4(5D ss - 20)2+ (5P ss - 11.8)2+ (5H ss - 4.5)2

[0284] [Equation 2].

[0285] 22. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein,

[0286] (s.2) each solvent of the solvent system has a boiling point at 1013 hPa of at least 150 °C, preferably at least 160 °C.

[0287] 23. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein,

[0288] (s.3) does not include solvents having functional groups selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl (OH), amino (NH2), carboxyl (COOH), and mercapto (SH).

[0289] 24. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the solvent system consists of two or more solvents in an amount of at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 98 wt-%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt-% to 100 wt-%, based on the total weight of the solvent system being 100 wt-%.

[0290] 25. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the solvent system consists of one solvent satisfying equation 1 and / or 2 in an amount of at least 90 wt-%, preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 98 wt-%, more preferably in the range of 99 wt-% to 100 wt-%, based on the total weight of the solvent system being 100 wt-%.

[0291] 26. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of:

[0292] 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- ethyl-caprolactam, 2-(5-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl) methyl acetate (FAME), propiophenone, N-methoxypropyl-pyrrolidinone, 1,4-cyclohexanedione, cyclohexane-carbonate, N- methoxyethyl-pyrrolidinone, N,N-diethylphenylacetamide, phenyl acetate, 1-(2- hydroxyethyl)pyrrolidin-2-one acetate (HEPAc), N,N-diethylbenzamide, isopropyl benzoate, cyclohexyl phenyl ketone, ethyl phenyl acetate, phenylacetat, N-methyl- morpholine, benzyl propionate, benzyl acetate, neopentyl glycol-dibenzoate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acetate, N-methyl-imidazole, benzyl butyrate, 2-pyrrolidone, 2-phenoxyethanol propionate, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, N,N-dipropylbenzamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-diethylacetamide, dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1-methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), gamma-valerolactone (GVL), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, N,N-dimethyl lactamide (Agnique AMD 3L), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0293] 27. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), propylene carbonate, caprolactone, dimethyl isosorbide, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), gamma-valerolactone (GVL), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

[0294] 28. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 27, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N- butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5- oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, and GVL.

[0295] 29. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N- butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), delta-valerolactone, gamma butyrolactone, 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5- oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), caprolactam, phenethyl acetate, methyl phenylacetate, benzyl benzoate, phenyl benzoate, methyl benzoate, and propyl benzoate.

[0296] 30. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 29, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N- butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl- 1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), phenethyl acetate, and GVL.

[0297] 31. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 30, wherein the one or more solvents of the solvent system are selected from the group consisting of propylene carbonate, N-butylpyrrolidone, tert-butylpyrrolidone, methyl-1 -methyl-5-oxopyrrolidin-3-carboxylate (MMOC), 5-(dimethylamino)-2-methyl-5-oxopentanoic acid methyl ester (Rhodiasolv® Polarclean), and phenethyl acetate.

[0298] 32. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of gamma valerolactone (GVL), N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof, or from the group consisting of N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), cyclohexanone, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0299] 33. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 32, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of GVL, NBP, propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, DMSO, and mixtures of two or more thereof, or from the group consisting of NBP, propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, DMSO, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0300] 34. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 33, wherein the one or more solvents are selected from the group consisting of GVL, NBP, propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, and mixtures of two or more thereof, or from the group consisting of NBP, propylene carbonate, phenylacetone, and mixtures of two or three thereof.

[0301] 35. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 34, wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least N-butylpyrrolidone (NBP), 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-%, of the one or more solvents, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents, are NBP, more preferably the one solvent is NBP; or

[0302] wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least propylene carbonate, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents being 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents being propylene carbonate, more preferably the one solvent being propylene carbonate; or

[0303] wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least acetophenone, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents being 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents being acetophenone, more preferably the one solvent being acetophenone; or

[0304] wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), based on the total weight of the one or more solvents being 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents being DMSO, more preferably the one solvent being DMSO; or

[0305] wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene), based on the total weight of the one or more solvents being 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents being Cyrene, more preferably the one solvent being Cyrene; or

[0306] wherein the one or more solvents comprise at least cyclohexanone, based on the total weight of the one or more solvents being 100 wt-%, preferably at least 90 wt-% of the one or more solvents, 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-% of the one or more solvents being cyclohexanone, more preferably the one solvent being cyclohexanone.

[0307] 36. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 35, wherein ethyl benzoate and butyl benzoate are not included as solvents.

[0308] 37. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 36, wherein the solvent system comprises GVL, wherein the solvent system consists of GVL based on the total weight of the solvent system is 100 wt-%, 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-%.

[0309] 38. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is performed by a method selected from the group consisting of alcoholysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis, aminolysis, ammonolysis, and a mixture of two or more of these methods.

[0310] 39. The process of embodiment 38, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is performed by alcoholysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the poor colorant polymer material obtained in (b) with a Ci to C4 alkyl mono-alcohol, thereby obtaining di(Ci to C4 alkyl) terephthalate and / or di(Ci to C4 alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0311] 40. The process of embodiment 39, wherein the Ci to C4 alkyl mono-alcohol is methanol, wherein dimethyl terephthalate and / or dimethyl isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol are obtained.

[0312] 41. The process of embodiment 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is performed by glycolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the poor colorant polymer material obtained in (b) with a Ci to C6 alkyl diol, thereby obtaining bis(hydroxy Ci to C6 alkyl) terephthalate and / or bis(hydroxy Ci to C6 alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0313] 42. The process of embodiment 41, wherein the Ci to C6 alkyl diol is ethylene glycol, wherein bis(hydroxy ethylene) terephthalate and / or bis(hydroxy ethylene) isophthalate and / or bis(hydroxy Ci to C6 alkyl) isophthalate and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol are obtained.

[0314] 43. The process of embodiment 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is performed by hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the poor colorant polymer material obtained in (b) with water, thereby obtaining terephthalic acid (TPA) and / or isophthalic acid and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0315] 44. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by alkaline hydrolysis.

[0316] 45. The method of embodiment 43, wherein the hydrolysis is carried out by enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b) with water in the presence of an enzyme, thereby obtaining terephthalic acid (TPA) and / or isophthalic acid and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0317] 46. The method of any one of embodiments 43 to 45, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by hydrolysis at a pressure in the range of 40 to 120 hPa.

[0318] 47. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by hydrolysis, wherein (c) comprises

[0319] (c.1) preparing a melt of the colorant-depleted polymeric material, thereby obtaining a melt of the colorant-depleted polymeric material;

[0320] (c.2) contacting the melt of the polymeric material obtained in (c.1) with a base, preferably an inorganic alkali metal-based base, more preferably sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or a mixture of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, thereby obtaining a base-containing melt;

[0321] (c.3) contacting the base-containing melt obtained in (c.2) with water, thereby obtaining terephthalic acid salt (with the corresponding alkali metal cation) and / or isophthalic acid salt (with the corresponding alkali metal cation) and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0322] 48. The method of embodiment 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by aminolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b) with a monoalkylamine R 1 R 2 NH2, wherein R 1 is a Ci to C4 alkyl group and R 2 is selected from a hydrogen atom and a Ci to C4 alkyl group; thereby obtaining R 1 R 2 NC(=0)-phenyl-C(=0)NR 2 R 1 (wherein the substituents at the phenyl ring are in para or meta position), and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0323] 49. The method according to embodiment 37, wherein the depolymerization of (c) is carried out by aminolysis, wherein (c) comprises contacting the colorant-depleted polymeric material obtained in (b) with ammonia (NH3), thereby obtaining H2NC(=0)-phenyl-C(=0)NH2 (wherein the substituents at the phenyl ring are in para or meta position), and ethylene glycol and / or cyclohexanedimethanol; wherein the ammonia is provided in solvent-free form or dissolved in a solvent, wherein the solvent is preferably one or more of glycerol, glycols (preferably Ci to C6 alkyl glycols), alcohols (preferably Ci to C4 alkyl mono alcohols).

[0324] 50. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the transesterification of (c) is carried out by an acid or base catalyzed reaction with an alcohol.

[0325] 51. The method according to embodiment 50, wherein one or more catalysts containing metal cations are used, wherein the metal is preferably titanium or tin.

[0326] 52. The method according to embodiment 50 or 51, wherein the alcohol is R 3 -OH, wherein R 3 is a linear or branched C2 to C 12 alkyl residue.

[0327] 53. The method according to embodiment 52, wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexanol, isopropyl alcohol, isononyl alcohol, pentanol, butanol, isomers of these alcohols and mixtures of two or more thereof.

[0328] 54. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 53, wherein the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer consists of oxyethylene units or oxybutylene units and oxyterephthaloyl units, wherein in case of oxyethylene units 0 to 5 mol-% of the oxyterephthaloyl units are replaced by oxyisophthaloyl units and / or 0 to 49 mol-% of the oxyethylene units are replaced by oxymethylene cyclohexylidenemethylene units; wherein more preferably the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-isoethylene terephthalate)), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) and mixtures of two or three of these polymers; wherein more preferably the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises or is PET.

[0329] 55. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 54, wherein the third polymer (iv) is an elastic fiber, wherein the elastic fiber comprises one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers and / or one or more polyester-based elastic fibers, preferably composed thereof, more preferably the elastic fiber comprises one or more polyurethane-based elastic fibers, preferably composed thereof, wherein the total weight of each of the elastic fibers 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 fiber is a polyurethane-based elastic fiber.

[0330] 56. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 55, wherein the colorant is selected from the group consisting of dyes and optical brighteners and mixtures of dyes and optical brighteners.

[0331] 57. The method as described in any one of Examples 1 to 56, wherein, with respect to the obtained polymer material, colorant-depleted means L of the polymer material that is colorant-depleted compared to the polymer material provided in (a). a b The value changes as follows:

[0332] a The absolute value decreases preferably by at least 0.2; and / or, preferably, and,

[0333] b The absolute value change is preferably at least 0.2; and / or, preferably, and,

[0334] L The value should preferably be increased by at least 4.

[0335] Each of the L-type colored polymer materials provided in (a) a b Compared to the values, L a b The values ​​are determined according to DIN 5033 and DIN EN ISO 11664-1.6.

[0336] 58. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 57, if a second polymer (iii) is present in the polymeric material provided in (a), the process further comprises:

[0337] (d) separating the second polymer (iii) from the monomers and / or oligomers or trans- esterification products obtained in (c), thereby obtaining the monomers and / or oligomers or trans-esterification products separately and the second polymer (iii) separately.

[0338] 59. The process of any one of embodiments 17 to 58, comprising

[0339] (b.x) optionally washing the polymeric material removed in (b.6) or separated in (b.2’) with a washing solvent, thereby obtaining a washed polymeric material which is leaner in colorants compared to the polymeric material provided in (a).

[0340] 60. The process of any one of embodiments 14 or 17 to 59, comprising

[0341] (b.y) drying the polymeric material removed in (b.6) or separated in (b.2’) and / or the washed polymeric material obtained in (b.x).

[0342] 61. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 60, if a third polymer (iv) is present in the polymeric material provided in (a), the process further comprises:

[0343] (b.z) separating the third polymer (iv) from the colorant-rich solvent system obtained in (b), (b.4), (b.4.2.), (b.5) and / or (b.2’), thereby obtaining the third polymer (iv) separately.

[0344] 62. A polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer monomer, oligomer or trans-esterification product obtained or obtainable by the process, preferably step (d), of any one of embodiments 1 to 61.

[0345] 63. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 61, comprising the further step of:

[0346] - converting, preferably polymerizing, the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer monomer, oligomer or trans-esterification product obtained or obtainable according to any one of embodiments 1 to 61 to obtain one or more polymers or polymer products.

[0347] 64. The method of embodiment 63, wherein the one or more polymers is a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer consisting of oxyethylene units or oxybutylene units and oxyterephthaloyl units, wherein in case of oxyethylene units 0 to 5 mol-% of the oxyterephthaloyl units are replaced by oxyisophthaloyl units and / or 0 to 49 mol-% of the oxyethylene units are replaced by oxymethylene cyclohexylidenemethylene units; wherein more preferably the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PETI (poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-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.

[0348] 65. The method of embodiment 63 or 64, wherein the polymeric product is a textile, a fiber, a packaging, a plastic, preferably:

[0349] - an automotive part, preferably a cylinder head cover, an engine cover, an outer shell of a charge air cooler, a charge air cooler baffle, an air intake duct, an air intake manifold, a connector, a gear wheel, a fan wheel, a cooling water tank, an outer shell, an outer shell part of a heat exchanger, a coolant cooler, a charge air cooler, a thermostat, a water pump, a radiator, a fastener, a part of a battery system of an electric car, an instrument panel, a steering column switch, a seat, a headrest, a center console, a transmission component, a door module, an A-, B-, C- or D-pillar cover, a spoiler, a door handle, an exterior mirror, a windshield wiper, a windshield wiper protection housing, a decorative grille, a cover strip, a roof rail, a window frame, a sunroof frame, an antenna panel, a headlight and a tail light, an engine cover, a cylinder head cover, an air intake manifold, an airbag, a cushion or a coating;

[0350] - a cloth, preferably a shirt, a trouser, a pullover, a boot, a shoe, a shoe sole, a body suit or a jacket;

[0351] - an electrical part, preferably an electrical or electronic passive or active component, a circuit board, a printed circuit board, a housing component, a foil, a wire, a switch, a plug, a socket, a distributor, a relay, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, a spool, a lamp, a diode, an LED, a transistor, a connector, a voltage regulator, an integrated circuit (IC), a processor, a controller, a memory, a sensor, a micro switch, a micro push button, a semiconductor, a reflector housing for light emitting diodes (LED), a fastener, a gasket, a bolt, a strap, a slide-in guide, a screw, a nut, a film hinge, a spring hook (snap-in) or a spring tongue for electrical or electronic components;

[0352] - consumer products, agricultural products or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial grass, 3D printing filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, clothing for paper machines, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, plain bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, rollers, ring gears, screws and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, bed mattresses, cushioning pads, insulating materials, detergents, dishwasher washing blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides;

[0353] - packaging for the food industry, preferably single- or multi-layer blown films, cast films (single- or multi-layer), biaxially stretched films, or laminated films; or

[0354] - structural parts, preferably rotor blades, insulating materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0355] 66. The process of preferably any one of embodiments 1 to 61, comprising the further step of:

[0356] - converting the isolated second polymer (iii) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) obtainable or obtained by the process of any one of embodiments 1 to 64, preferably the isolated second polymer (iii) obtained or obtainable from step (d) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) obtained or obtainable from any one of steps (b), (b.4), (b.4.2.), (b.5), and (b.2'), to obtain one or more monomers, polymers, or polymer products.

[0357] 67. The process of embodiment 66,

[0358] wherein the polymer is and / or the polymer product comprises a polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA 66; a polyisocyanate polyaddition product, preferably a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polyurea or a polyisocyanurate (PIR); a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a polyethylene (PE), a polypropylene (PP), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a polystyrene (PS), a polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), a polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a polybutadiene (BR, PBD), a poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), a poly(trans-1,4-isoprene), a polyoxymethylene (POM), a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), a polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), a polyester (PES), a polyether sulfone (PESU), a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), a polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), a polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), a polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), a polylactic acid (PLA), a polysulfone (PSU), a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a polycarbonate (PC), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), a poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or a copolymer or mixture thereof.

[0359] 68. The method of embodiment 66 or 67,

[0360] wherein the polymer and / or the polymer product is or is part of:

[0361] - an automotive part, preferably a cylinder head cover, an engine cover, an outer shell of a charge air cooler, a charge air cooler baffle, an air intake duct, an intake manifold, a connector, a gear wheel, a fan wheel, a cooling water tank, an outer shell, an outer shell part of a heat exchanger, a coolant cooler, a charge air cooler, a thermostat, a water pump, a radiator, a fastener, a part of a battery system of an electric car, an instrument panel, a steering column switch, a seat, a headrest, a center console, a transmission component, a door module, an A-, B-, C- or D-pillar cover, a spoiler, a door handle, an exterior mirror, a windscreen wiper, a windscreen wiper protection cover, a decorative grille, a cover strip, a roof rail, a window frame, a sunroof frame, an antenna panel, a headlight and a tail light, an engine cover, a cylinder head cover, an intake manifold, an airbag, a cushion or a coating;

[0362] - a cloth, preferably a shirt, trousers, a pullover, boots, shoes, a shoe sole, a bodysuit or a jacket;

[0363] - electrical parts, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing parts, foils, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage regulators, integrated circuits (IC), processors, controllers, memories, sensors, micro switches, micro push buttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light emitting diodes (LED), fasteners for electrical or electronic components, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, film hinges, spring hooks (snap-in) or spring tongues;

[0364] - consumer goods, agricultural products or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial grass, 3D-printed filaments, lawnmowers, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, paper machine cloths, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, plain bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, rollers, ring gears, screw and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattress pads, cushioning pads, insulation materials, detergents, dishwasher washing blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides;

[0365] - packaging for the food industry, preferably single- or multi-layer blown films, cast films (single- or multi-layer), biaxially stretched films, or laminated films; or

[0366] - structural parts, preferably rotor blades, insulation materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

[0367] 69. The process of embodiments 66 or 67,

[0368] wherein the content of the isolated second polymer (iii) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) in the polymer and / or the polymer product is 1 wt-% or more, preferably 2 wt-% or more, more preferably 5 wt-% or more, more preferably 15 wt-% or more, more preferably 30 wt-% or more, more preferably 40 wt-% or more, more preferably 60 wt-% or more, more preferably 80 wt-% or more, more preferably 90 wt-% or more, more preferably 95 wt-% or more; and / or

[0369] wherein the content of the isolated second polymer in the polymer and / or the 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 / or

[0370] Preferably, wherein the content is determined based on a provenance retention and / or separation and / or mass balance and / or certificate declaration chain of custody model, preferably based on a mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

[0371] The application is further illustrated by the following reference examples, comparative examples and examples. Example

[0372] Method for analysis:

[0373] GPC (gel permeation chromatography):

[0374] Sample preparation:

[0375] 7.5 mg of sample were dissolved in 5 ml eluent (hexafluoroisopropanol + 0.05 wt-% potassium trifluoroacetate) overnight. All sample solutions were filtered through a Millipore Millex FG (0.2 pm) prior to injection. The sealed sample vials were placed in an autosampler.

[0376] Experimental conditions:

[0377] An Agilent 1100 HPLC system consisting of an isocratic pump, a vacuum degasser, an autosampler and a column oven (40 °C) was used. In addition, the Agilent system contained a differential refractive index (DRI) and a variable ultraviolet (UVW) detector as detectors. Data acquisition and data processing of the conventional SEC data were performed by PSS (Polymer Standard Services) WinGPC Unichrom. The combination of an Agilent PL-HFIP guard column (7.5 x 50 mm) and 2 PL-HFIP gel columns (7.5 x 300 mm, 9 pm) was placed in series. As eluent, hexafluoroisopropanol + 0.05 wt-% potassium trifluoroacetate was used for the as-received material, while + 0.1 wt-% potassium trifluoroacetate was used for the samples after processing, with a flow rate of 1 ml / min for each sample. 50 pi of each sample solution was injected. Calibration was obtained by PMMA standards (Polymer Standard Services) of narrow molar mass distribution, which had a molar mass range of M = 800 to M = 2.200.000 g / mol for the as-received material and M = 596 to M = 2.050.00 g / mol for the samples after processing, respectively. Molar masses outside this range were extrapolated.

[0378] CIE-LAB:

[0379] L a b The determination of the values is based on the measurement of the samples using an integrating sphere and the acquisition of UV / VIS reflection spectra (with a wavelength range of 400-700 nm). These spectral data are analyzed by the software OptLab-SPX using a 2° standard observer and a standard light source type C. The OptLab-SPX software calculates the L a b -values based on DIN 5033 and DIN EN ISO 11664-1.6 from 2007-2014.

[0380] GC-area%:

[0381] The samples are analyzed by gas chromatography (GC), wherein this method detects the individual components in the sample according to their individual retention times. The concentration of the individual components in the sample is given as their percentage peak area as GC-area%.

[0382] Chemicals

[0383]

[0384] Reference Example 1 : General procedure for single use solvent system / removal of colorants via gas stream

[0385] Place 10 g of a colored and optionally elastane-containing polymeric material (in any processed form, e.g. shredded / cut textile, flakes, etc.) in a basket with holes, which is placed on a reaction vessel (e.g. a flask), in particular above its opening, in which a solvent system (in a mass-based ratio solvent : polymeric material 100 : 1 to 1 : 1, preferably 80 : 1 to 10 : 1 ) is added, wherein the basket and in particular the material contained therein is not in direct contact with the solvent system, but gas and also liquid communication between the basket and the solvent system in the reaction vessel is possible. The solvent system is heated in the reaction vessel to (i) a temperature at least equal to or higher than the boiling temperature of the solvent system under an inert gas atmosphere or (ii) a temperature in the range of 120 °C to at most 3 K below the boiling temperature of the solvent, by using a suitable heating system (e.g. oil bath, heating block, small equipment vessel) and brought into contact with an inert gas having a flow rate of e.g. 24 l / h, so that a gas phase comprising the solvent system is formed and allowed to contact the colored polymeric material in the basket, to merge with the solvent system at the surface of the cooler and / or to subsequently condense (also including the separation of the solvent contained in liquid form in the gas phase), wherein the condensed solvent system, which comprises part of the colorant, is allowed to flow back into the reaction vessel containing the solvent system. Due to the continuous inert gas flow (N2) and the vapor / condensate formation of the solvent system, the colored, optionally elastane-containing polymeric material in the above basket is decolorized and optionally elastane-removed. After 0.1 - 8 h, the system is cooled and the decolorized and optionally elastane-lean polymeric material can be collected, whereby a solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally elastane is obtained in a separate reaction vessel. For an easier removal of the solvent system and a faster drying process of the decolorized and optionally elastane-lean polymeric material pieces, a small amount of acetone can be used in an optional washing step. The thus obtained decolorized and optionally elastane-lean polymeric material pieces are dried (e.g. in a vacuum compartment dryer).

[0386] Samples are analyzed before the initial decolorization step (colored and optionally elastane-containing polymeric material) and after the final drying step (recycled and reobtained colorless and optionally elastane-lean PET solids). In case of color removal, the L a b values

[0387] Examples 1 to 5: Decolorization of PET by treatment with gas and recondensed solvent system

[0388] The polymeric material is treated according to the procedure of Reference Example 1 option (ii), the results are listed in Table 1 below:

[0389] Table 1

[0390] The procedure according to Reference Example 1 option (ii), summary materials and results of Examples 1 to 5.

[0391]

[0392] Molecular weights (Mn, Mw) and dispersities were determined based on GPC before and after treatment for the green PET textile of Example 2 and the black PET textile of Example 5. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0393] Table 2

[0394] Molecular weights and dispersities (GPC) of green and black textiles before and after treatment

[0395]

[0396] It was found that the use of a solvent system (here GVL used as solvent system) in combination with a gas stream and recondensation and / or separation in liquid form is effective in removing the colorant from the polymeric material (here PET textiles of different colors) without at least impairing the number average molecular weight Mn of the PET regained - the Mn of the PET regained is always greater than or at least equal to the Mn of the PET contained in the material provided initially. The same applies to the mass average molecular weight Mw, which is also always greater than or at least equal after treatment. The PET regained has a dispersity Mw / Mn (mass average molecular weight Mw divided by number average molecular weight Mn) in the range of 60% to 95%, preferably in the range of 75% to 90% of the dispersity Mw / Mn (100%) of the PET contained in the material provided.

[0397] Example 6: Transesterification of PET to DOTP

[0398] A reactor equipped with a distillation column was charged with 2-ethylhexanol (8.0 equivalents based on weight), color-depleted PET from Example 2 (1.0 equivalent based on weight) and NaHC03 (1.25 weight-% compared to 100 weight-% of PET). The stirred mixture was heated to at most 220 °C while a mixture of 2-ethylhexanol and ethylene glycol was continuously distilled off. An equivalent amount of fresh 2-ethylhexanol compared to the distilled off material was added to the reaction mixture. Distillation was continued until the distillate no longer contained any ethylene glycol (determined by measurement of the density).

[0399] The excess 2-ethylhexanol was distilled off and the crude product dioctyl terephthalate DOTP (bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate) was isolated by filtration (e.g. hot pressure filtration at 120 °C), optionally with a filter aid.

[0400] Purity of DOTP (GC area %): 99.85%

[0401] Reference Example 2: Colorant removal in solution

[0402] PET textile (of any color) is cut / shredded into pieces and placed in a reaction vessel (e.g. flask, tube, reactor vessel). The solvent system (in a mass-based ratio solvent : polymeric material 100 : 1 to 1 : 1, preferably 10 : 1 - 1 : 1) is added and the mixture is heated to a temperature in the range of 60 °C to 160 °C by using a suitable heating system (e.g. oil bath, heating block, small equipment vessel). After 0.5 - 8 h, the mixture is filtered, thereby obtaining the solvent enriched in colorant and decolorized polymeric material, and the color-poor polymeric material is washed with a small amount of the respective solvent. To easily remove the solvent and for a faster drying process of the color-poor polymeric material pieces, a small amount of acetone can be used in a second washing step. The color-poor polymeric material thus obtained is dried (e.g. in a vacuum chamber dryer).

[0403] Example 7: Decolorization of PET by treatment with solvent system in solution

[0404] According to the procedure of Reference Example 2, 10 g of black PET textile was treated with GVL as solvent at 150 °C for 4 hours. The L a b values before and after the treatment were determined. The results are listed in Table 3 below:

[0405] Table 3

[0406] Summary of materials and results - L a b values

[0407]

[0408] Example 8: Depolymerization

[0409] A mixture of 0.5 g of previously decolorized PET textile sheets from Example 7, 4.25 g of ethanol, 0.75 g of deionized water, and 0.23 g of sodium hydroxide was packed into a glass container equipped with a magnetic stirrer and heated to 160°C for 1 h by microwave radiation. The white suspension was allowed to cool to ambient temperature, filtered, and washed with ethanol (2 x 2 ml). The resulting white solid was redissolved in 10 g of hot water and filtered, yielding a colorless, clear solution. Furthermore, the filtrate was treated with 0.5 g of concentrated sulfuric acid, resulting in a white, fine powder precipitate. The obtained solid was removed by filtration and dried under vacuum at 80°C overnight to yield terephthalic acid (0.36 g, 96% yield) as a white solid. The product was measured. 1 The 1H NMR spectrum shows that there are no impurities ( Figure 1 ).

[0410] Comparative Example 1: Decolorization according to existing technology

[0411] US 2016 / 0009893 A1 describes the removal of color using ethylene glycol (EG). 10 g of black PET textile is cut / shredded into pieces and placed in a reaction vessel (e.g., flask, tube, reaction vessel). 100 mL of ethylene glycol is added, and the mixture is heated to 150°C using a suitable heating system (e.g., oil bath, heating block, small equipment container). After 4 h, the mixture is filtered, and the polymer material is washed with a small amount of ethylene glycol. For easier removal of ethylene glycol and a faster drying process of the polymer material flakes, a small amount of acetone can be used in a second washing step. The resulting polymer material is dried (e.g., in a vacuum chamber dryer). The L before and after treatment is determined. a b The values, as well as the molecular weight and dispersibility before and after treatment, were determined by GPC. The results are listed in Tables 4 and 6 below:

[0412] Table 4

[0413] Comparative Example 1: Overview of Materials and Results - L a b value

[0414]

[0415] Table 5

[0416] Comparative Example 1: Overview of Materials and Results - GPC

[0417]

[0418] It was found that ethylene glycol did not decolorize PET, as evidenced by the L a b values (Table 2) compared to L a b values (Table 4) are apparent. Furthermore, the attempt to use ethylene glycol as a decolorization solvent resulted in a significant decrease in the molecular mass average of the PET.

[0419] Examples 9 to 12: Decolorization of PET by treatment with gas and recondensed solvent system

[0420] The polymer material was treated according to the procedure of Reference Example 1 option (i), the results are listed in the following Table 6:

[0421] Table 6

[0422] Summary of materials and results for Examples 9, 10, 11 and 12 according to the general procedure of Reference Example 1 option (i).

[0423]

[0424] It was found that the use of a solvent system as a gas stream in combination with recondensation and / or separation in liquid form is effective in removing colorants from polymer materials (here PET textiles of different colors). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0425] Figure 1 showing the H NMR spectrum of terephthalic acid obtained from depolymerization of Example 8 in DMSO-d6 ). 1 CITED LITERATURE

[0426] - Raheem et al., Journal of Cleaner Production 225 (2019) 1052e1064

[0427] - Paszun et al., Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 1997, 36, 1373

[0428] - Barnard et al., Green Chem., 2021, 23, 3765-3789

[0429] - EP 2 784 110 A1

[0430] - US 10,876,240 B2

[0431] ​- DE 2223466 A1

[0432] -“Dyes and Pigments” Metin Açikyildiz, Kübra Günes, Ahmet Gürses Springer, 2016 (ISBN: 10: 3319338900)

[0433] -Industrial Organic Pigments - Klaus Hunger, Thomas Heber, Martin U.Schmidt, Friedrich Reisinger, Stefan Wanne Wiley-VCH, 4 th edition, 2018 (ISBN:978-3-527-32608-2)

[0434] -Chemistry and Technology of Natural and Synthetic Dyes and Pigments- Ashis Kumar Samanta, Nasser Awwad, IntechOpen, 2020 (ISBN: 9781789859980,9781789859973, 9781839687587)

[0435] -Encyclopedia of Color, Dyes, Pigments – Volume 1, Gerhard Pfaff, deGruyter, 2021 (ISBN: 311058588X)

[0436] -Heinrich Zollinger: Color Chemistry: Syntheses, Properties, andApplications of Organic Dyes and Pigments. 3 rd edition. WILEY-VCH Verlag,Weinheim 2003 (ISBN: 3-906390-23-3)

[0437] - Klaus Hunger (Ed.): Industrial Dyes: Chemistry, Properties, Applications. WILEY-VCH Verlag, Weinheim 2003 (ISBN: 3-662-01950-7)

[0438] - Hermann Rath: Lehrbuch der Textilchemie. einschl. der textilchemischen Technologie. 2nd edition. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg 1963 (ISBN: 978-3-662-00065-6)

[0439] - Wilfried Kratzert, Rasmus Peichert: Farbstoffe. Quelle & Meyer, Heidelberg 1981 (ISBN: 3-494-01021-8)

[0440] - Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of industrial chemistry, Wiley-VCH, 2000, sections “dyes and pigments” and “dyes, general survey” (ISBN: 9783527303854)

[0441] - Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. 2018, section “Polyesters”, 10.1002 / 14356007.a21_227.pub2

[0442] - “Industrial Organic Chemistry”, 3. volume, Wiley-VCH, 1997, ISBN: 978-3-527-28838-0,

[0443] - “Kunststoffhandbuch”, Carl Hanser Verlag; vol. 6, “Polyamide”, 1. edition, 1966,

[0444] “Kunststoffhandbuch”, Carl Hanser Verlag; vol. 7, “Polyurethane”, 3. edition, 1993,

[0445] “Kunststoffhandbuch”, Carl Hanser Verlag; vol. 8, “Polyester”, 2. edition 1973;

[0446] “Industrial Organic Chemistry”, 3. volume, Wiley-VCH, 1997, ISBN: 978-3-527-28838-0,

[0447] “Injection Molding Reference Guide, 4th edition, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2011, ISBN: 978-1466407824,

[0448] EP 0989146 A1

[0449] EP 1460094 A1

[0450] WO 2006034800 A1

[0451] EP 1529792 A1

[0452] WO 2006042674 A1

[0453] EP 0364854 A2

[0454] US 5506275 A

[0455] EP 0897402 A1

[0456] WO 2015082316 A1

[0457] WO 2021021855 A1

[0458] WO 2021126938 A1

[0459] WO 2021021902 A1

[0460] WO 2021092311 A1

[0461] WO 2008155271 A1

[0462] WO 2013139827 A1

[0463] US 2016 / 0009893 A1.

Claims

1. A method for recycling a pigmented polymeric material, wherein, The colored polymeric material comprises (i) a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer, (ii) a colorant and optionally (iii) a second polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and optionally (iv) a third polymer different from the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer of (i) and different from the second polymer of (iii), the process comprising (a) providing a colored polymeric material and a solvent system comprising gamma valerolactone (GVL); (b) contacting the colored polymeric material provided in (a) with the solvent system comprising GVL provided in (a) under conditions allowing for colorant removal but not allowing for the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer to dissolve, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material depleted in colorant compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a); (c) depolymerization or transesterification of the polymeric material depleted in colorant obtained in (b); thereby obtaining monomers and / or oligomers or transesterification products.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, (b) comprises (b.1) providing the colored polymeric material in a first vessel and the solvent system in a second vessel; wherein the first vessel and the second vessel are arranged spatially separated from each other but allow for gaseous and fluid communication between each other; (b.2) forming a gas stream comprising at least a portion of the solvent system and removing the gas stream from the second vessel; (b.3) allowing the solvent system to separate from the gas stream in liquid form at a location outside the second vessel (also outside the first vessel), obtaining a solvent system in liquid form; (b.4) contacting the colored polymeric material in the first vessel with the solvent system in liquid form having been separated from the gas stream in (b.3), thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a) and comprising the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer (i) and optionally the second polymer (iii).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, (b) comprises (b.1') contacting the colored polymeric material of (a) with a solvent system at a temperature T of < 170°C, thereby obtaining a solvent system enriched in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the solvent system provided in (a) and a polymeric material depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) compared to the colored polymeric material provided in (a); (b.2') optionally separating the polymeric material depleted in colorant and optionally in third polymer (iv) and comprising the polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer from the solvent system.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The solvent system consists of GVL based on the total weight of the solvent system being 100 wt-%, 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-%.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The depolymerization of (c) is carried out by a method selected from the group consisting of alcoholysis, glycolysis, hydrolysis, aminolysis, ammonolysis and mixtures of two or more of these methods.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The transesterification of (c) is carried out by an acid or base catalyzed reaction with an alcohol.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The second polymer (iii) is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), preferably PA6 and / or PA66, natural polymers, preferably cotton, viscose, flax, and mixtures of two or more thereof; and / or wherein the third polymer (iv) is an elastomer, the elastomer preferably comprising, more preferably consisting of, one or more polyurethane-based elastomers and / or one or more polyester-based elastomers, more preferably the elastomer comprises, more preferably consists of, one or more polyurethane-based elastomers, wherein 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 elastomer, each based on the total weight of the elastomer, is a polyurethane-based elastomer.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The colorant is selected from the group consisting of dyes and optical brighteners and mixtures of dyes and optical brighteners.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer comprises or is PET.

10. A monomer, oligomer or transesterification product of a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the further step of: - converting, preferably polymerizing, the monomer, oligomer or transesterification product of a polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymer obtained or obtainable according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to obtain one or more polymers or polymer products; wherein the one or more polymers are preferably polyalkylene terephthalate-based polymers; and wherein the polymer products are textiles, fibers, packaging, plastics, more preferably: - automotive parts, preferably cylinder head covers, engine covers, housings of charge air coolers, charge air cooler baffles, intake pipes, intake manifolds, connectors, gears, fan wheels, cooling water tanks, housings, housing parts of heat exchangers, coolant coolers, charge air coolers, thermostats, water pumps, radiators, fasteners, parts of battery systems of electric cars, instrument panels, steering column switches, seats, headrests, center consoles, transmission parts, door modules, A-, B-, C- or D-pillar covers, spoilers, door handles, exterior mirrors, windscreen wipers, windscreen wiper protection housings, decorative grilles, cover strips, roof rails, window frames, sunroof frames, antenna panels, head- and tail lamps, engine covers, cylinder head covers, intake manifolds, airbags, bumpers or coatings; - clothing, preferably shirts, trousers, pullovers, boots, shoes, shoe soles, tights or jackets; - electrical parts, preferably electrical or electronic passive or active components, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, housing parts, foils, wires, switches, plugs, sockets, distributors, relays, resistors, capacitors, inductors, spools, lamps, diodes, LEDs, transistors, connectors, voltage stabilizers, integrated circuits (IC), processors, controllers, memories, sensors, micro switches, micro pushbuttons, semiconductors, reflector housings for light emitting diodes (LED), fasteners, gaskets, bolts, strips, slide-in guides, screws, nuts, film hinges, spring hooks (snap-in) or spring tongues of electrical or electronic components; - consumer, agricultural or pharmaceutical products, preferably tennis strings, climbing ropes, bristles, brushes, artificial grass, 3D-printed filaments, lawn mowers, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, clothing for paper machines, extrusion coatings, fishing lines, fishing nets, offshore lines and ropes, vials, syringes, ampoules, bottles, sliding elements, spindle nuts, chain conveyors, plain bearings, rollers, wheels, gears, rollers, ring gears, screw and spring dampers, hoses, pipes, cable sheaths, sockets, switches, cable ties, fan wheels, carpets, cosmetic boxes or bottles, mattress, bumpers, insulation materials, detergents, dishwasher washing blocks or powders, shampoos, shower gels, bath gels, soaps, fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides; - packaging for the food industry, preferably single- or multi-layer blown films, cast films (single- or multi-layer), biaxially stretched films, or laminated films; or - structural parts, preferably rotor blades, insulation materials, frames, housings, walls, coatings, or partition walls.

12. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising the further step of: - converting the isolated second polymer (iii) and / or the isolated third polymer (iv) obtainable or obtained by the process of any one of claims 1 to 9 to obtain one or more monomers, polymers or polymer products.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein, The polymer is and / or the polymer product comprises a polyamide (PA), preferably PA 6 or PA 66; a polyisocyanate polyaddition product, preferably a polyurethane (PU), a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a polyurea or a polyisocyanurate (PIR); a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a polyethylene (PE), a polypropylene (PP), a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a polyvinyl acetate (PVA), a polystyrene (PS), a polyacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a polystyrene acrylonitrile (SAN), a polyacrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), a polybutadiene (BR, PBD), a poly(cis-1,4-isoprene), a poly(trans-1,4-isoprene), a polyoxymethylene (POM), a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), a polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), a polyester (PES), a polyether sulfone (PESU), a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), a poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), a polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), a polyhydroxyhexanoate (PHH), a polyhydroxyoctanoate (PHO), a polylactic acid (PLA), a polysulfone (PSU), a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU), a polycarbonate (PC), a polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a poly(p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), a poly(p-phenylene ether) (PPE); or a copolymer or mixture thereof; and / or wherein the polymer and / or the polymer product is or is part of: - an automotive part, preferably a cylinder head cover, an engine cover, an outer shell of a charge air cooler, a charge air cooler baffle, an intake pipe, an intake manifold, a connector, a gear wheel, a fan wheel, a cooling water tank, an outer shell, an outer shell part of a heat exchanger, a coolant cooler, a charge air cooler, a thermostat, a water pump, a radiator, a fastener, a part of a battery system of an electric car, an instrument panel, a steering column switch, a seat, a headrest, a center console, a transmission component, a door module, an A-, B-, C- or D-pillar cover, a spoiler, a door handle, an exterior mirror, a windshield wiper, a windshield wiper protection housing, a decorative grille, a cover strip, a roof rail, a window frame, a sunroof frame, an antenna panel, a headlight and a tail light, an engine cover, a cylinder head cover, an intake manifold, an airbag, a cushion or a coating; - a cloth, preferably a shirt, trousers, a pullover, boots, shoes, a shoe sole, a bodysuit or a jacket; - an electrical part, preferably an electrical or electronic passive or active component, a circuit board, a printed circuit board, a housing component, a foil, a wire, a switch, a plug, a socket, a distributor, a relay, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, a bobbin, a lamp, a diode, an LED, a transistor, a connector, a voltage regulator, an integrated circuit (IC), a processor, a controller, a memory, a sensor, a micro switch, a micro push button, a semiconductor, a reflector housing for light emitting diodes (LEDs), a fastener for electrical or electronic components, a gasket, a bolt, a strap, a slide-in guide, a screw, a nut, a film hinge, a spring hook (snap-in) or a spring tongue; - a consumer product, an agricultural product or a pharmaceutical product, preferably a tennis string, a climbing rope, a bristle, a brush, artificial grass, a 3D printing filament, a lawnmower, a zip fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a paper machine clothing, an extrusion coating, a fishing line, a fishing net, an offshore line and rope, a vial, a syringe, an ampoule, a bottle, a sliding element, a spindle nut, a chain conveyor, a plain bearing, a roller, a wheel, a gear wheel, a roller, a ring gear, a screw and spring damper, a hose, a pipe, a cable sheath, a socket, a switch, a cable tie, a fan wheel, a carpet, a cosmetic box or bottle, a mattress, a cushion, an insulation material, a detergent, a dishwasher washing block or powder, a shampoo, a shower gel, a bath gel, a soap, a fertilizer, a fungicide, or a pesticide; - a packaging for the food industry, preferably a single- or multi-layer blown film, a cast film (single- or multi-layer), a biaxially stretched film, or a laminated film; or - a structural part, preferably a rotor blade, an insulation material, a frame, a housing, a wall, a coating, or a partition wall.

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