A copolymer and a product or article comprising or consisting of the copolymer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a copolymer comprising a repeating unit A comprising at least one amide; and a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle. The present invention further relates to a product or article, comprising or consisting of the copolymer, that is preferably at least partially biodegradable.

Description

[0001]A COPOLYMER AND A PRODUCT OR ARTICLE COMPRISING OR CONSISTING OF THE COPOLYMERFIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a copolymer comprising a repeating unit A comprising at least oneamide; and a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle. The presentinvention further relates to a product or article, comprising or consisting of the biodegradablecopolymer.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the adverse environmental effects associated with conventional non-degradable plastics. These materials, derived primarily from fossil fuels, persist in the environment for extended periods, contributing to pollution, habitat destruction, and harm to marine life. In response to these challenges, there has been increasing interest in the development of biodegradable alternatives that can degrade into harmless by-products under natural conditions. Polyamide-based polymers represent a promising class of biodegradable plastics for reducing or preventing environmental damage. However, traditional biodegradable polymers frequently have lower mechanical characteristics than their non-degradable counterparts. Furthermore, one downside of existing biodegradable plastics is that they are typically only degradable to the point where microplastics occur, resulting in additional accumulation in the environment. Moreover, current biodegradable polymers possess inherently different characteristics from traditional non- degradable polymers. Consequently, producing biodegradable alternatives typically requires investment in specialized equipment and significant adjustments to industrial processes for material processing. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improved polymers which at least partially circumvent the limitations of the current state of the art.In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an environmentally friendlypolymer having a biodegradable characteristic and concurrently sufficient mechanical performance.It is an object of the present invention to provide a product or article comprising or consisting of thepolymer. In addition, it is a further object to provide said product or article without significantadjustments to existing industrial equipment.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt has now been found that some or all of the above challenges can be addressed, and objectives canbe achieved, either individually or in any combination, by using a copolymer as defined herein. The present invention is at least in part based on the finding that a copolymer comprising a specificallydesigned polymer backbone may provide an economically viable and scalable biodegradable material.Moreover, it has been found that biodegradation of said copolymer may advantageously result in non- toxic and environmentally benign degradation products. Another advantage of the present copolymer is that it may provide a biodegradable material with anoptimized balance between strength (during use) and degradation rate (at end-of-life). Hence,providing a suitable replacement for conventional non-degradable polyamides and other thermoplastics.Also advantageously, the present copolymer may have a processability comparable to commonly usedpolyamide or polyamide copolymers. Thus, advantageously, existing thermoplastic manufacturing equipment can be used.Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention relates to a copolymer. The copolymer preferablycomprises: -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amideselected from the group consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12); –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); andcombinations thereof, preferably the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide,glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof; andwherein the copolymer main chain is essentially free from any amino acid residues; with wt.%based on the total weight of the copolymer. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer comprises -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amideselected from the group consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12);–[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); and combinations thereof, preferably the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide, glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof; and wherein the copolymer main chain is essentially free from any naturally occurring amino acid residues; with wt.% based on the total weight of the copolymer; wherein pyrrolidone, succinimide or glutarimide derivatives refer to moieties having a pyrrolidone, succinimide, or glutarimide ring, having or bearing at least one substituent. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer comprises -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amide,wherein said at least one amide is –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B,wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (III) and / or (IV): wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; R1, R3, R5are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; and R2, R4, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (V) and / or (VI): wherein; x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (VII): wherein; L is an integer selected from at least 0 to at most 10; F1, F2are each independently O or NH; F3is C=O or NH; R10is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein comprises a repeating unit A that is essentially free from a 5-or 6-membered heterocycle. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein comprises a repeating unit B that has the formula (III) and / or (IV): wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein comprises a repeating unit B that has the formula (V) and / or (VI): wherein; x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10;l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is an alternating copolymer, a statisticalcopolymer, or a block copolymer; preferably the copolymer is a statistical copolymer.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein comprises at least one repeating unitB after a sequence of at least 2 to at most 15 repeating units A, based on the total number of repeating units of the copolymer. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having adegradation rate of 5 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 100 mg plastic / kgsoil.month; preferably as determined according to ASTMD5988-18.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a tensilestrength of at least 35 MPa to at most 500 MPa, or at least 50 MPa to at most 500 MPa, in particularat least 75 MPa to at most 300 MPa, preferably at least 100 MPa to at most 200 MPa; preferably as determined according to ASTM D2256 (filaments) and ASTM D638 (bars).In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a meltingpoint of at least 150 °C, or at least 160 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 240 °C; preferably wherein themelting point (Tm) is taken as the maximum of the melting endotherm of a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a numberaverage molecular weight (Mn) of at least 5 kDa, or at least 10 kDa, or at least 10 kDa to at most 100 kDa; preferably as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a polydispersity index or value (Mw / Mn) of at least 1.0 to at most 6.0; wherein Mwis the weight-average molecular weight and Mnis the number-average molecular weight; preferably as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).In a particular embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a relativeviscosity of 1.6 to 4.4 determined according to ASTM 789-19.Another aspect of the present invention relates to a product or article comprising or consisting of a copolymer as disclosed herein.Preferred or particular embodiments of the copolymer as disclosed herein are also preferred orparticular embodiments of the product or article as disclosed herein and vice versa.In a particular embodiment, the product or article is selected from the group consisting of brushes,filters, fibres, filaments, non-wovens, twines, textile, fishing lines, fishing nets, fuel lines, and fittings.The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION When describing the invention, the terms used are to be construed in accordance with the following definitions, unless a context dictates otherwise. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention. The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any country as of the priority date of any of the claims. Throughout this disclosure, various publications, patents, and published patent specifications are referenced by an identifying citation. All documents cited in the present specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In particular, the teachings or sections of such documents herein specifically referred to are incorporated by reference. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, "a step" means one step or more than one step. The terms “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised of” as used herein are synonymous with “including”, “includes” or “containing”, “contains”, and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, non-recited members, elements, or method steps. The terms also encompass “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, which enjoy well-established meanings in patent terminology. Whereas the terms “one or more” or “at least one”, such as one or more members or at least one member of a group of members, is clear per se, by means of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia a reference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of said members, such as, e.g., any ≥3, ≥4, ≥5, ≥6 or ≥7 etc. of said members, and up to all said members. Inanother example, “one or more” or “at least one” may refer to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more.The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order, unless specified. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. As used herein, the term “and / or” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a list is described as comprising group A, B, and / or C, the list can comprise A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B in combination, A and C in combination, B and C in combination, or A, B, and C in combination. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “inone embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or “in a particular embodiment” in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitablemanner, as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one or moreembodiments. Furthermore, while certain embodiments described herein include some, but not otherfeatures included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integer numbers and, where appropriate, fractions subsumed within that range (e.g.1 to 5 can include 1, 2, 3, 4 when referring to, for example, a number of elements, and can also include 1.5, 2, 2.75 and 3.80, when referring to, for example, measurements). The recitation of endpoints also includes the end point values themselves (e.g. from 1.0 to 5.0 includes both 1.0 and 5.0). Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub- ranges subsumed therein. This applies to numerical ranges irrespective of whether they are introduced by the expression “from… to…” or the expression “between… and…” or another expression. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” are used to provide flexibility to a numerical value or range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” said value or endpoint, depending on the specific context. Hence, the terms “about” or “approximately” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, are meant to encompass variations of and from the specified value or endpoint, such as variations of + / -10% or less, preferably + / -5% or less, more preferably + / -1% or less, and still more preferably + / -0.1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar such variations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. Unless otherwise stated, use of the terms “about” or “approximately” in accordance with a specific number or numerical range should also be understood to provide support for such numerical terms or range without the term “about”. For example, the recitation of “about 30” should be construed as not only providing support for values a little above and a little below 30, but also for the actual numerical value of 30 as well. As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. The terms “wt.%,” “vol%”, or “mol%” refers to a weight percentage of a component, a volume percentage of a component, or molar percentage of a component, respectively, based on the total weight, the total volume of material, or total moles, which includes the component. Whenever the term “substituted” is used in the present invention, it is meant to indicate that one or more hydrogens on the atom indicated in the expression using “substituted” is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the indicated atom’s normal valency is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a chemically stable compound. Where groups can be substituted, such groups may be substituted with one or more, and preferably one, two or three substituents. The term "alkyl" as a group or part of a group, refers to a hydrocarbyl group of formula CnH2n+1 wherein n is a number greater than or equal to 1, with no site of unsaturation. Alkyl groups may be linear or branched and may be substituted as indicated herein. Generally, alkyl groups can comprise from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. When a subscript is used herein following a carbon atom, the subscript refers to the number of carbon atoms that the named group may contain. For example, the term "C1-6alkyl", as a group or part of a group, refers to a hydrocarbyl group of formula CnH2n+1 wherein n is a number ranging from 1 to 6. Thus, for example, “C1-6alkyl” includes all linear or branchedalkyl groups with between 1 and 6 carbon atoms, and thus includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl,butyl, and its isomers (e.g., n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl); pentyl and its isomers, hexyl, and its isomers, etc. For example, C1-4alkyl includes all linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and thus includes for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, 2-methyl-ethyl, butyl, and its isomers (e.g., n-butyl, i-butyl, and t-butyl), and the like. In a particular embodiment, the term alkyl refers to C1-12alkyl (C1-12 hydrocarbons), yet more in particular to C1-10alkyl (C1-10 hydrocarbons), yet more in particular to C1-9alkyl (C1-9 hydrocarbons), yet more in particular to C1-6alkyl (C1-6 hydrocarbons) as further defined herein above. Non-limiting examples of alkyl include methyl, ethyl, 1-propyl (n-propyl), 2-propyl (iPr), 1-butyl, 2-methyl-1-propyl(i-Bu), 2-butyl (s-Bu), 2-dimethyl-2-propyl (t-Bu), 1-pentyl (n-pentyl), 2- pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, 3-methyl-2-butyl, 3-methyl-1-butyl, 2-methyl-1-butyl, 1-hexyl, 2- hexyl, 3-hexyl, 2-methyl-2-pentyl, 3-methyl-2-pentyl, 4-methyl-2-pentyl, 3-methyl-3-pentyl, 2-methyl- 3-pentyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n- dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl, and n-icosyl. The term “alkenyl” as a group or part of a group, refers to an unsaturated hydrocarbyl group which may be linear, or branched, comprising one or more with at least one site (usually 1 to 3, preferably 1) of unsaturation, namely at least one sp2carbon-sp2carbon double bond. Generally, alkenyl groups can comprise from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms. When a subscript is used herein following a carbon atom, the subscript refers to the number of carbon atoms that the named group may contain. Examples of C2-6alkenyl groups are ethenyl, 2-propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-pentenyl and its isomers, 2-hexenyl and its isomers, 2,4-pentadienyl, and the like. The double bond may be in the cis or trans configuration. The term “alkynyl” as a group or part of a group, refers to a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon comprising at least one site (usually 1 to 3, preferably 1) of unsaturation, namely a sp1carbon-sp1carbon triple bond. In a particular embodiment, the term alkynyl refers to C2-12 alkynyl (C2-12 hydrocarbons), preferably to C2-9 alkynyl (C2-9 hydrocarbons) yet more preferably to C2-6 alkynyl (C2-6 hydrocarbons) as further defined herein above with at least one site (usually 1 to 3, preferably 1) of unsaturation, namely at least one sp1carbon-sp1carbon triple bond. Examples of alkynyl include but are not limited to: ethynyl (-CºCH), 3-ethyl-cyclohept-1-ynylene, and 1-propynyl (propargyl, - CH2CºCH). The term “cycloalkyl”, as a group or part of a group, refers to a cyclic alkyl group, that is a monovalent, saturated, hydrocarbyl group having 1 or more cyclic structure, and comprising from 3 to 20 carbonatoms, more preferably from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably from 3 to 8 carbon atoms; morepreferably from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. Cycloalkyl includes all saturated hydrocarbon groups containing one or more rings, including monocyclic, bicyclic groups or tricyclic. For example, cycloalkyl comprises a C3-10monocyclic or C7-18polycyclic saturated hydrocarbon, such as for instance cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopropylethylene, methylcyclopropylene, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclooctylmethylene, norbornyl, fenchyl, trimethyltricycloheptyl, decalinyl, adamantyl and the like. The further rings of multi-ring cycloalkyls may be either fused, bridged and / or joined through one or more spiro atoms. When a subscript is used herein following a carbon atom, the subscript refers to the number of carbon atoms that the named group may contain. For example, the term “C3-10cycloalkyl”, refers to a cyclic alkyl group comprising from 3 to 10 carbon atoms. For example, the term “C3-8cycloalkyl”, refers to a cyclic alkyl group comprising from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. For example, the term “C3-6cycloalkyl”, refers to a cyclic alkyl group comprising from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. For the avoidance of doubt, fused systems of a cycloalkyl ring with a heterocyclic ring are considered as heterocycle irrespective of the ring that is bound to the core structure. Fused systems of a cycloalkyl ring with an aryl ring are considered as aryl irrespective of the ring that is bound to the core structure. Fused systems of a cycloalkyl ring with a heteroaryl ring are considered as heteroaryl irrespective of the ring that is bound to the core structure.The term “aryl”, as a group or part of a group, refers to a polyunsaturated, aromatic hydrocarbyl grouphaving a single ring (i.e. phenyl) or multiple aromatic rings fused together (e.g. naphthyl), or linkedcovalently, typically comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms; wherein at least one ring is aromatic, preferablycomprising 6 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein at least one ring is aromatic. The aromatic ring may optionally include one to two additional rings (either cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl or heteroaryl) fused thereto. Examples of suitable aryl include C6-12aryl, preferably C6-10aryl, more preferably C6-8aryl. Non-limiting examples of aryl comprise phenyl, biphenylyl, biphenylenyl, or 1-or 2-naphthanelyl; 5- or 6-tetralinyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-azulenyl, 4-, 5-, 6 or 7-indenyl, 4- or 5-indanyl, 5-, 6-, 7- or 8-tetrahydronaphthyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, and 1,4-dihydronaphthyl; 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-pyrenyl.A “substituted aryl” refers to an aryl group having one or more substituent(s) (for example 1, 2 or 3 substituent(s), or 1 to 2 substituent(s)), at any available point of attachment. Substituents optionally are designated with or without bonds. Regardless of bond indications, if a substituent is polyvalent (based on its position in the structure referred to), then any and all possible orientations of the substituent are intended. The terms described above and others used in the specification are well understood to those in the art. In the following passages, different aspects or embodiments of the invention are defined in more detail. Each aspect or embodiment so defined may be combined with any other aspect(s) or embodiment(s) unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous may be combined with any other feature or features indicated as being preferred or advantageous. Although certain embodiments and examples are disclosed below, it will be understood by those in the art that the present disclosure extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments and / or uses of the present disclosure and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present disclosure disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described below. In essence, the copolymer of the present invention comprises amide linkages and nitrogen-containing heteromonocyclic linkages distributed across the polymer backbone. This has the advantage that thecopolymer as defined herein has desirable degradation properties, such as degradation rate and / ordegradation conditions, and mechanical strength, such as tensile strength. Moreover, it has advantageously been found that the nature and / or relative position and / or relative orientation and / or relative spacing of amide linkages and nitrogen-containing heteromonocyclic linkages allows to tunethe degradation properties and mechanical properties of the copolymer. Without wishing to be boundby any theory, it is believed that the more hydrophilic nitrogen-containing heteromonocyclic linkagescan readily attract water and cause controlled scission of the polymer backbone in specificenvironments, such as soil. Hence, the nitrogen-containing heteromonocyclic linkages may provide the copolymer with improved biodegradation characteristics. Accordingly an aspect of the present invention relates to a copolymer. The copolymer comprises: -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amideselected from the group consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12); –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); andcombinations thereof, preferably the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide, glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof; and wherein the copolymer main chain is essentially free from any amino acid residues; with wt.% based on the total weight of the copolymer. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer comprises -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amideselected from the group consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12);–[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); and combinations thereof, preferably the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide, glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof; and wherein the copolymer main chain is essentially free from any naturally occurring amino acid residues; with wt.% based on the total weight of the copolymer; wherein pyrrolidone, succinimide or glutarimide derivatives refer to moieties having a pyrrolidone, succinimide, or glutarimide ring, having or bearing at least one substituent. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer comprises -at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amide,wherein said at least one amide is –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B,wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (III) and / or (IV): wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; R1, R3, R5are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; and R2, R4, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (V) and / or (VI): wherein; x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (VII): wherein; L is an integer selected from at least 0 to at most 10; F1, F2are each independently O or NH; F3is C=O or NH; R10is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl. The term “copolymer” as used herein refers to a polymer that is derived from more than one species of monomer. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer is an alternating copolymer, a statisticalcopolymer, or a block copolymer; preferably the copolymer is a statistical copolymer. It has beenfound that a more even (homogeneous) distribution of the repeating unit A and repeating unit B along the polymer main chain may provide an optimized molecular fragmentation of the main chain when biodegrading the copolymer. Accordingly, the copolymer comprises at least two repeating units. The term “repeating unit” as usedherein refers to a part or segment of a (co)polymer that is repeated multiple times within a polymermain chain. This unit is typically represented by a specific arrangement of atoms or monomers thatare covalently bonded in a recurring pattern. It should be understood that both the repeating unit A and the repeating unit B are part of the copolymer’s backbone chain. A repeating unit as disclosed herein may comprise one or more structural units. A “structural unit” as referred to herein relates to a building block of a polymer (main) chain. It is the result of a monomer that has been polymerized into said polymer (main) chain. For instance, the repeating unit of poly(hexamethylene adipamide) or nylon 6,6 “-[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]-“ comprises the structural units “-NH(CH2)6NH-“ and “-C(O)(CH2)4C(O)-“.It may be produced by the polymerization of hexamethylenediamine (H2N(CH2)6NH2) and adipic acid (HOOC(CH2)4COOH). A repeating unit as disclosed herein may further comprise combinations of structural units. Forinstance, the repeating unit of poly(caprolactam-co-hexamethylene azelamide) or nylon 6 / 6,9 “–[NH(CH2)5C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]-“ comprises the structural units ““–NH(CH2)5C(O)-“, “-NH(CH2)6NH-“, and “-C(O)(CH2)7C(O)-“. It may be produced by the co-polymerization of ε-caprolactam,hexamethylenediamine, and adipic acid.The terms “backbone chain” or “(co)polymer backbone” or “(co)polymer main chain” are used hereininterchangeably and refer to the longest series of covalently bonded atoms that together create the continuous chain of the polymer. In other words, the “backbone chain” or “(co)polymer backbone” or “(co)polymer main chain” can be defined as the main polymer chain to which all other chains, if any, long or short or both, may be regarded as being pendent. Preferably, the copolymer main chain is free or essentially free from any naturally occurring amino acid residues. In other words, the copolymer main chain is free or essentially free from any α-amino acid residues of naturally occurring proteinogenic amino acids.In a preferred embodiment, the repeating unit B comprises at most 5.0 wt.%, or at most 4.0 wt.%, orat most 3.0 wt.%, or at most 2.0 wt.%, or at most 1.0 wt.% of naturally occurring amino acid residues; with wt.% based on the total weight of the repeating unit B.In other words, the copolymer as disclosed herein is free or essentially free from any naturallyoccurring oligopeptide structural units or polypeptide structural units.In a preferred embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein is a thermoplastic polymer. This hasthe advantage that the copolymer can be molded and shaped into various forms.Preferably, the backbone chain of the copolymer is a linear backbone chain, i.e. a backbone chain which is not covalently bonded or connected to any side chains. In other words, preferably, the backbone chain is free of any side chains. More preferably, the copolymer itself is a linear copolymer. Further, the copolymer as disclosed herein may preferably be a not cross-linked or not cross-linkable copolymer or may preferably be not in a cross-linked condition. In the alternative, the backbone chain of the copolymer as disclosed herein may be an essentially linear backbone chain. The term “essentially linear backbone chain” as used herein refers to a backbone chain which is covalently bonded or connected to side chains having a molecular weight of < 500 Da, in particular 15Da to 500 Da. The side chains may comprise unbranched, branched, non-cyclic or acyclic side chains.Further, the side chains may be aliphatic, in particular alkyl and / or alkenyl and / or alkynyl; and / oraromatic, in particular aryl. Further, the side chains may comprise heteroatom containing groups.Preferably, the side chains are covalently attached to the 5-or 6-membered heterocycle. In particular,the side chains being covalently attached to the 5-or 6-membered heterocycle are the only side chainsof the backbone chain of the copolymer. Advantageously, it has been found that the copolymer as disclosed herein may be particularly suitable for the manufacture of products or articles being exposed or exposable to moisture and / or water and / or having a large surface being capable of reacting with moisture and water. Particularly in thatregard, the copolymer facilitates a targeted and thus application- dependent balance betweenbiodegradation on the one hand and mechanical strength on the other hand. Due to its biodegradable and in addition sufficient mechanical properties, the copolymer advantageously facilitates reduction of environmental contamination without impairing application-dependent functionality of the products and articles, respectively. In particular, the copolymer may advantageously have workability properties, particularly in terms of melting point and / or viscosity, which are comparable to those of conventional polyamides. The copolymer as disclosed herein is a biodegradable copolymer. The term “biodegradablecopolymer” as used herein refers to a polymer which is at least partly, in particular only partly orcompletely, biodegradable.The terms “(bio)degradable” and "(bio)degradation" as used herein interchangeably refer to theprocess of (biologically) disintegrating materials by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, or other biological means into biomass and / or biogas. When the material is completely degraded, mineral components are released into the environment such as carbon dioxide, methane, water, sulfide, sulfate, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and phosphite. Accordingly, a "(bio)degradable material" is a material that can be (biologically) disintegrated and mineralized by microorganisms in a period of time, such as hours, days or weeks. The (bio)degradability of a material may be primarily determined by the presence of specific enzymes produced by the present microbial community thatare capable of endo- or exo-cleaving of the polymeric backbones in the respective polymeric material,liberating metabolizable carbon for building biomass and / or biogas. The biodegradability of a material can thereby be affected by a number of secondary factors that optimize the degradative capabilities by the present microbial community, such as temperature, pH, nutrients, water and oxygen. Additionally, auxiliary factors may also influence the biodegradation, which can be intrinsic to the material itself such as crystallinity, surface roughness and bioavailability of polymeric chains or their released fragments, or be dependent on environmental conditions impacting the nature of the material such as light intensity and mechanical wear, such as (oceanic) waving or shaking.In a particular embodiment, the (bio)degradability is related to the degradability of the copolymer inan aqueous (marine) environment. Preferably, the copolymer as disclosed herein is a copolymer being biodegradable, in particular hydrolysable, to low molecular and naturally occurring compounds such as water, carbon dioxide and the like. Further, due to the biodegradable nature of the copolymer, the additional use of biodegradation promoting additives is advantageously dispensable. Thus, the copolymer is preferably free of any biodegradation promoting additives. In some embodiments, the copolymer as disclosed herein is characterized by having a (bio)degradation rate, in particular in high dispersed phase, determined according to ASTM (D)5988-18, of 5 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 10 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 400 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 300mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 200 mgplastic / kgsoil.month, or 50 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 100 mg plastic / kgsoil.month.Preferably, the copolymer as disclosed herein is a copolymer being chemically recyclable, in particularthe copolymer is capable of reproducing its original constituting monomers through chemicalreactions. For instance, chemical recycling of the copolymer may comprise hydrolysis. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one amide comprised in repeating unit A is a linear aliphatic amide. In a particular embodiment, the repeating unit A has the formula (I) and / or (II): wherein; o, p, q are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; A1, A4are each independently C=O or NH; A2is C=O and A3is NH, or A2is NH and A3is C=O. Further, the copolymer or backbone chain of the copolymer may comprise a combination of different repeating units according to Formula (I) and / or Formula (II). Preferably, the repeating units are different in terms of the alkylene groups and / or the position of the alkylene groups and / or the position of C=O (carbonyl group) and / or the position of NH. In some preferred embodiments, the repeating unit A has the formula (I); preferably wherein o is the integer 3 or 10. Preferably, the repeating unit A comprising at least one amide is selected from the group comprisingor consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]-(Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12); –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); and combinationsthereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable combinations include –[NH(CH2)5C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6 / 6,9); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6 / 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6 / 6,9); and / or –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6 / 6,10).Preferably, in some embodiments, the repeating unit A comprising at least one amide is selected fromthe group comprising or consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]-(Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]-(Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12); –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); and combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of suitablecombinations include –[NH(CH2)5C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6 / 6,9); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6 / 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6 / 6,9); and / or –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)][NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6 / 6,10).More preferably, in some embodiments, the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12). More preferably, in some embodiments, the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11). It has been found that said repeating units may be particularlyadvantageous in terms of good processability and high inertness or resistance to solvents. In a particular embodiment, the repeating unit A is free or essentially free from a 5-or 6-membered heterocycle. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle may be a lactam or cyclic imide. Preferably, the at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle is selected from the group comprising or consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide, glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof. It hasbeen found that the 5-or 6-membered heterocycles listed in this paragraph are especiallyadvantageous in terms of the copolymer’s biodegradation characteristic. Without wishing to be boundby theory it has been found that said heterocycles may promote the binding of hydrolase-type enzymes, which facilitates the hydrolytic cleavage of the copolymer backbone into benign reactionproducts. It should be understood that pyrrolidone, succinimide, and glutarimide as disclosed hereinrefer to moieties having an unsubstituted pyrrolidone, succinimide, and glutarimide ring, respectively.It should be understood that pyrrolidone derivatives, succinimide derivatives, and glutarimidederivatives as disclosed herein refer to moieties having a pyrrolidone, succinimide, and glutarimidering, respectively, having or bearing at least one substituent. Suitable substituents include at least onealkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and / or cycloalkyl as defined herein. Preferably, the at least one substituent is covalently bonded or connected to ring positions / ring position 3 and / or 5 of the pyrrolidone ring. Preferably, the at least one substituent is covalently bonded or connected to ring position 5 of the succinimide ring or glutarimide ring. In a particular embodiment, the repeating unit B has the formula (III) and / or (IV): wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl. In a particular embodiment, the repeating unit B has the formula (V) and / or (VI): x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl. In a particular embodiment, the repeating unit B has the formula (VII): wherein; Lis an integer selected from at least 0 to at most 10;F1, F2 are each independently O or NH;F3is C=O or NH; R10 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.Further, the copolymer or backbone chain of the copolymer may comprise a combination of differentrepeating units according to Formula (III), Formula (IV), Formula (V),Formula (VI) and / or Formula (VII).In a further embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein may have a mechanical strength, inparticular tensile strength, determined according to ASTM D2256 (filaments) and ASTM D638 (bars),of 35 to 500 MPa, or 50 MPa to 500 MPa, or 75 MPa to 500 MPa, or 75 MPa to 400 MPa, or 75 MPato 300 MPa, or 75 MPa to 250 MPa, or 100 MPa to 250 MPa, or 100 MPa to 200 MPa. The copolymer may therefore advantageously exhibit adequate mechanical strength to meet the demands of various applications, including applications that use conventional non-degradable polyamides.In a further embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein may have an elongation at break,determined according to ASTM D6387, of 5% to 200%, or 5% to 190%, or 5% to 180%, or 10% to 180%, or 10% to 170%, or 10% to 160%, or 20% to 160%.In a further embodiment, the copolymer as disclosed herein may have a flexural strength, determinedaccording to ASTM D790, of 20 MPa to 200 MPa, or 30 MPa to 200 MPa, or 40 MPa to 200 MPa, or 50 MPa to 200 MPa, or 60 MPa to 200 MPa, or 70 MPa to 200 MPa, or 70 MPa to 190 MPa, or 70 MPa to 180 MPa, or 70 MPa to 170 MPa. In general, copolymers are typically characterized by a reduced melting point and crystallization rate when compared to conventional polyamide homopolymers due to the inability of the polymer repeat units to pack into the same crystal lattice. However, it has been found that the copolymer as disclosedherein is advantageously characterized by an essentially maintained crystallizability.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer may have a melting point (Tm) of at least 150 °C, or at least160 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 240 °C; wherein the Tm is taken as the maximum of the meltingendotherm of a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram. Thus, the polymer may be advantageously applicable in many technical fields where heat is generated, for example by friction, without having the risk that an application-dependent functionality of the polymer is impaired by melting.In a particular embodiment, the copolymer may have a number average molecular weight (Mn),determined according to ASTM D5296, of at least 5 kDa to at most 500 kDa, or at least 10 kDa to atmost 100 kDa, or at least 20 kDa to at most 50 kDa; preferably as determined via gel permeationchromatography (GPC). Due to the high molecular weight, the copolymer as disclosed herein isadvantageously suitable for the most of thermoplastic manufacturing methods as for example extrusion, injection molding and blow molding. Despite the relatively high molecular weight, there is a fine-tuned and in particular application-dependent balance between biodegradability and mechanical strength of the polymer achievable. In a particular embodiment, the copolymer may have a heat deflection temperature, HDT-A, of fromat least 15°C to at most 100°C, or at least 15°C to at most 90°C, or at least 15°C to at most 80°C, or atleast 15°C to at most 70°C, or at least 15°C to at most 60°C, or at least 20°C to at most 60°C, or at least20°C to at most 55°C (as determined according to ASTM D648). In a particular embodiment, the copolymer may have a heat deflection temperature, HDT-B, of fromat least 20°C to at most 120°C, or at least 25°C to at most 120°C, or at least 25°C to at most 110°C, orat least 25°C to at most 100°C, or at least 25°C to at most 90°C, or at least 30°C to at most 90°C, or atleast 35°C to at most 90°C (as determined according to ASTM D648).Preferably, the copolymer exhibits a viscosity and a melting point being comparable to commonly used polyamide or polyamide copolymers. Thus, advantageously, existing manufacturing equipment can be used. Therefore, products and articles comprising or consisting of the inventive copolymer may be produced both ecologically and economically. Further, the copolymer may have a polydispersity index or value (Mw / Mn , where Mw is the weight-average molecular weight and Mn is the number-average molecularweight) of at least 1.0 to at most 6.0, or at least 1.0 to at most 5.0, or at least 1.0 to at most 4.0, or atleast 1.0 to at most 3.0, or at least 1.0 to at most 2.0; preferably as determined via GPC.In some embodiments, the copolymer may have a crystallinity, determined according to ASTM D3418-12, of from 10 J / g to 140 J / g, or 10 J / g to 120 J / g, or 20 J / g to 120 J / g, or 30 J / g to 120 J / g, or 40 J / g to120 J / g or 40 J / g to 100 J / g.In some embodiments, the copolymer may have a relative viscosity, determined according to ASTM 789-19, of 1.6 to 4.4, in particular 2.0 to 4.0, preferably 2.4 to 3.6.In some embodiments, the copolymer as disclosed herein may not be part of a polymer blend, i.e. amixture of different polymers. Alternatively, and in some embodiments, the copolymer as disclosed herein may be part of a polymerblend, wherein the polymer blend comprises at least one further (co)polymer. For example, twocopolymers as disclosed herein having different molecular weights can be blended to optimize desired physical properties. For another example, two copolymers as disclosed herein having different repeat units A and / or B can be blended to provide desired physical and / or chemical properties. For even another example, a copolymer as disclosed herein can be blended with another (co)polymer that is not a copolymer as disclosed herein to provide desired physical and / or chemical properties.In some embodiments, the copolymer may further comprise (linear) ester bonds. Advantageously, theadditional presence of linear ester linkages along the polymer' s backbone chain contributes to a further optimization of the polymer' s biodegradation characteristic. In particular, incorporation of linear ester linkages in the polymer’s backbone chain may further fine-tune chain scission of the backbone chain in a controlled way. In some embodiments, the copolymer may further comprise between 0.5 wt.% and 10.0 wt.%, orbetween 0.5 wt.% and 5.0 wt.%, or between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.% of (linear) ester bonds; with wt.%based on the total weight of the copolymer.Alternatively, the copolymer may be preferably free of (linear) ester bonds.The present invention further encompasses a method for producing the copolymer according to an aspect of the invention. The method preferably comprises:- mixing at least one dicarboxylic acid or an ester derivative thereof, at least one diamine, andat least one substituted pyrrolidone or substituted succinimide or substituted glutarimide, thereby obtaining a mixture; -polymerizing said mixture, thereby obtaining the copolymer as disclosed herein.In some preferred embodiments, the at least one dicarboxylic acid or ester derivative thereof isselected from the group consisting of adipic acid, dimethyl adipate, diethyl adipate, nonanoic acid, dimethyl azelate, diethyl azelate, lauric acid, dimethyl laurate, and diethyl laurate. Further, the polymer may be preferably manufactured or synthesized without using succinate as monomer and / or without using succinate containing monomers. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one diamine is selected from the group consisting of 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,10-diaminodecane, and 1,12-diaminododecane. Further, the copolymer may be preferably manufactured or synthesized without using triamines and / or tetraamines as monomers. In particular, the copolymer may be manufactured or synthesized by using diamines as only amine monomers. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one substituted pyrrolidone is selected from the group consisting of 1-(3-carboxypropyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(4-carboxybutyl)-5- oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(5-carboxypentyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(2-aminoethyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(4-aminobutyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(5-aminopentyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1-(6-aminohexyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylicacid, 1-(10-aminodecyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid, 1,1'-(hexane-1, 6-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid), and 1,1'-(decane-1,10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid).In some preferred embodiments, the at least one substituted succinimide is 3-amino-succinimide, 3-carboxylic acid succinimide, 2-(3-amino-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)succinic acid, or 6-(3-amino-2,5- dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)hexanoic acid. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one substituted glutarimide is 3-amino-glutarimide or 3- carboxylic acid glutarimide. Alternatively, the method preferably comprises: -mixing at least one lactam or at least one amino alkanoic acid, and at least one substitutedpyrrolidone or substituted succinimide or substituted glutarimide, thereby obtaining a mixture; -polymerizing said mixture, thereby obtaining the copolymer as disclosed herein.In some preferred embodiments, the at least one lactam is selected from the group consisting of ε- caprolactam, 11-aminoundecanolactam, and 12-aminododecanolactam. In some preferred embodiments, the at least one amino alkanoic acid is selected from the group consisting of 6-aminohexanoic acid, 11-aminoundecanoic acid, and 12-aminododecanoic acid. Mixing of the monomers may be performed by any means disclosed in the art. For instance, suitable mixing means include a horizontal or vertical mixer. Preferably, mixing is performed by melting the aforementioned components. Alternatively, up to 50 wt.% of water may be added to the mixture as disclosed herein during the mixing step. In some embodiments, the mixing step of the method as disclosed herein comprises heating to a temperature of at least 60 °C, or at least 70 °C, or at least 80 °C, or at least 90 °C, or at least 100 °C, orat least 110 °C, or from at least 110 °C to at most 150 °C.In some embodiments, the mixture may further comprise at least one diol. Suitable diols include 1,2- ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, or 1,8- octanediol. In a preferred embodiment, polymerization of the mixture may be performed at a temperature of atleast 150 °C to at most 350 °C, or at least 160 °C to at most 350 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 350°C, or at least 170 °C to at most 300 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 290 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 280 °C. In a preferred embodiment, polymerization of the mixture may be performed at a pressure of at least0 bar to at most 25 bar.In a preferred embodiment, polymerization of the mixture may be performed over a period of at least30 minutes to at most 24 hours.Further, it has been found that the additional use of catalysts or any other rate enhancing additivesfor polymerizing the mixture as disclosed herein is advantageously dispensable. Thus, the copolymeris preferably obtained or obtainable without the use of any catalyst or any other rate enhancingadditive. The present invention further encompasses a copolymer obtained or obtainable by carrying out the method as disclosed herein. As mentioned above, the copolymer as disclosed herein, or obtained or obtainable by carrying out the method as disclosed herein, can be particularly useful for the manufacture of various products or articles. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention relates to a product or article comprising or consisting of a copolymer as disclosed herein. (Preferred) embodiments of the copolymer as disclosed herein are also (preferred) embodiments ofthe product or article as disclosed herein and vice versa. In addition, any advantages of the copolymeras disclosed herein apply mutatis mutandis to the product or article as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least a part of the surface of the product or article may consist of the copolymer. Preferably, the entire surface of the product or article consists of the copolymer. In some embodiments, at least a part of the bulk of the product or article may consist of the copolymer. The product or article as disclosed herein is not limited to a particular shape or design. For instance, the product or article may have an elongated shape. Alternatively, the product or article may have a rectangular shape. Preferably, the product or article is a product or an article being exposed or exposable to moisture and / or water. With respect to such products and articles, respectively, the copolymer as disclosedherein is especially advantageous in as much as the inventive copolymer allows for adjusting a finebalance between biodegradation behaviour and mechanical strength, which is a prerequisite for theapplicability of such products and articles, respectively. In particular, the product or article may have a surface / volume ratio of 3 m-1to 2.000.000 m-1, in particular 5 m-1to 1.000.000 m-1, preferably 10 m-1to 500.000 m-1. Preferably, the product or article is an elongated product or article. More preferably, the product or article is selected from the group consisting of brushes, filters, fibres, filaments, textile, fishing lines, fishing nets, fuel lines, and fittings, injection molded part, blow-molded part, cast molded part, extrusion molded product / part, film and sheet. The product or article, apart from the copolymer as disclosed herein, may be free of any further(co)polymer. Furthermore, the product or article may be free of a plasticizer and / or degradationpromoting additive and / or fibers, in particular natural fibers such as cellulose or starch fibers. Furthermore, the product or article may comprise an additive, in particular a non-polymeric additive. The additive is preferably selected from the group consisting of a salt, a colorant and combinations of at least two of the aforesaid additives. The salt may be selected from the group consisting of ammonium salt, phosphate, sodium salt, potassium salt and mixtures of at least two of the aforesaid salts. The colorant may be for example a masterbatch, i.e. a color concentrate, in particular a biodegradable masterbatch. A respective masterbatch is, for example, commercially available under the name PolyOne. Further, the colorant, in particular the masterbatch, may have a maximum proportion of 4 % by weight, based on the total weight of the product or article. Further, the product or article may be in a stretched form. By stretching, in particular under heat, and preferably in several stretching steps, the macromolecules of the inventive copolymer may be advantageously additionally parallelized. This results in an additional increase in crystallinity. For example, a product or article may have a crystallinity, determined according to ASTM D3418-12, 10 J / g to 140 J / g, or 10 J / g to 120 J / g, or 20 J / g to 120 J / g, or 30 J / g to 120 J / g, or 40 J / g to 120 J / g or 40 J / g to 100 J / g. Further, the product or article is preferably compostable, preferably under environmental conditions, in particular at a temperature of 10 °C to 40 °C, in particular 15 °C to 30 °C, preferably 18 °C to 28 °C, and / under the influence of environmental moisture. Thus, industrial composting may be advantageously not necessary. The present invention further encompasses a method of fabricating a product or article as disclosed herein. The method preferably comprises melt processing the copolymer under conditions effectiveto form the article. In certain embodiments, conditions effective to form the article can include oneor more of injection molding, compression molding, transfer molding, and extrusion. The present invention further encompasses the use of the copolymer as disclosed herein for preparing a product or article as disclosed herein. EXAMPLES Example 1Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 1-(6-aminohexyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1.5 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (Mw)peaked at 41 kDa, with melting point (Tm) measured at 199^C.Example 2Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 1-(10-aminodecyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1.5 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Example 3Caprolactam (9.0 g) and 1-(6-aminohexyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1.0 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Example 4Caprolactam (9.0 g) and 1-(10-aminodecyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (1.0 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 2-(3-amino-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)succinic acid (1.5 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 6-(3-amino-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)hexanoic acid (1.5 g) were heated till260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was pouredinto preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 1,1 '-(hexane-1, 10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (1.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecularweight (Mw) peaked at 40kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between 195 °C and 205 °C.Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 1,1 '-(decane-1, 10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (1.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecularweight (Mw) peaked at 35kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between 190 °C and 200 °C.Caprolactam (7.5 g) and 1,1 '-(hexane-1, 6-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (7.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (Mw) peaked at 50kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 185 °C and 195 °C. Example 10 Caprolactam (8.5 g) and 1,1 '-(decane-1, 10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (1.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (Mw) peaked at 45kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 180 °C and 190 °C. 11-Aminoundecanoic acid (8.5 g) and 1,1 '-(hexane-1, 6-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (1.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light- yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (Mw) peaked at 25kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 165 °C and 175 °C. 11-Aminoundecanoic acid (8.5 g) and 1,1 '-(decane-1, 10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (1.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light- yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (mw) peaked at ~20kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 160 °C and 170 °C. 11-Aminoundecanoic acid (7.5 g) and 1,1 '-(hexane-1, 6-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (2.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light- yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (mw) peaked at ~25kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 155 °C and 165 °C. 11-Aminoundecanoic acid (7.5 g) and 1,1 '-(decane-1, 10-diyl)bis(5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid) (2.5 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation during 4 hours. The light- yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Molecular weight (mw) peaked at ~20kDa, with a melting point (Tm) between at 150 °C and 160 °C. Caprolactam (6.8 g) and 1-(6-aminohexyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (3.2 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (6.8 g) and 1-(10-aminodecyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid 3.2 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (7.2 g) and 1-(6-aminohexyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (2.8 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (7.2 g) and 1-(10-aminodecyl)-5-oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylic acid (2.8 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (6.8 g) and 2-(3-amino-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)succinic acid (3.2 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis. Caprolactam (6.8 g) and 6-(3-amino-2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl)hexanoic acid (2.8 g) were heated till 260°C under constant mixing and water evaporation for 4 hours. The light-yellow melt was poured into preformed recipients for mechanical sample testing and thermal analysis.Dogbone specimens of examples 1 to 20 without additives showed tensile strength in the range of 35-75 MPa (as determined according to ASTM D638), tensile modulus of 1150-1650 MPa (as determinedaccording to ASTM D638), and elongation at break of 3-10% (as determine according to D6387).Heat deflection temperature values, HDT-A and HDT-B, ranged from 35-50°C and 65-80°C respectivelyas determined according to ASTM D648. Example 22Micronized specimen statistically taken from examples 1 to 20 indicated CO2 productioncorresponding to at least 60% of theoretical maximal polymer-derived carbon under ASTMD5988-18 conditions in a time window between 6 and 60 months. Example 23Granulate samples of examples 1 to 20 were statistically subjected to injection molding of dogbonespecimen with a cycle time between 10 and 100 seconds. Example 24Granulate samples of examples 1 to 20 were statistically subjected to extrusion into filaments withstretch ratio’s ranging from 1 to 4.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A copolymer comprising:- at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amideselected from the group consisting of –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 4,2); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)C(O)]- (Nylon 5,2); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 4,6); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 4,9); –[NH(CH2)4NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 4,10); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 5,9); –[NH(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 5,10); –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)4C(O)]- (Nylon 6,6); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 6,9); –[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 6,10); -[NH(CH2)6NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 6,12); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)7C(O)]- (Nylon 10,9); –[NH(CH2)10NHC(O)(CH2)8C(O)]- (Nylon 10,10); –[NH(CH2)12NHC(O)(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 12,12);–[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12); and combinations thereof, preferably the repeating unit A is –[NH(CH2)5C(O)]- (Nylon 6) and / or –[NH(CH2)11C(O)]- (Nylon 12);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B comprising at least one 5-or 6-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of pyrrolidone, succinimide, glutarimide, and derivatives or combinations thereof; and wherein the copolymer main chain is essentially free from any naturally occurring amino acid residues; with wt.% based on the total weight of the copolymer; wherein pyrrolidone, succinimide or glutarimide derivatives refer to moieties having a pyrrolidone, succinimide, or glutarimide ring, having or bearing at least one substituent.

2. A copolymer comprising:- at least 70.0 wt.% to at most 99.0 wt.% of a repeating unit A comprising at least one amide,wherein said at least one amide is –[NH(CH2)10C(O)]- (Nylon 11);- at least 1.0 wt.% to at most 30.0 wt.% of a repeating unit B,wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (III) and / or (IV):(III)wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; R1, R3, R5are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; and R2, R4, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (V) and / or (VI):wherein; x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10;l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl; or wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (VII):wherein; L is an integer selected from at least 0 to at most 10; F1, F2are each independently O or NH; F3is C=O or NH; R10is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.

3. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the repeating unit A is free froma 5-or 6-membered heterocycle.

4. The copolymer according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (III)and / or (IV):wherein; r, s, t, u, v, w are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; B1, B2are each independently C=O or NH; C1, C4are each independently C=O or NH; C2is C=O and C3is NH, or C2is NH and C3is C=O; and R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.

5. The copolymer according to claim 1or 3, wherein the repeating unit B has the formula (V)and / or (VI):wherein;x, y, z, h, i, j are integers each independently selected from at least 0 to at most 10; l, m, n are integers each independently 0 or 1; D1, D2are each independently C=O or NH; E1, E4are each independently C=O or NH; E2is C=O and E3is NH, or E2is NH and E3is C=O; and each R7, R8, R9are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.

6. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 or 3, wherein the repeating unit B has theformula (VII):wherein; L is an integer selected from at least 0 to at most 10; F1, F2are each independently O or NH; F3is C=O or NH; R10is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl.

7. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the copolymer is an alternatingcopolymer, a statistical copolymer, or a block copolymer.

8. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the copolymer comprises atleast one repeating unit B after a sequence of at least 2 to at most 15 repeating units A, based on the total number of repeating units of the copolymer.

9. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a degradation rate, as determined according to ASTM D5988-18, of 5 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 500mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 25 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 250 mg plastic / kgsoil.month, or 50 mg plastic / kgsoil.month to 100mg plastic / kgsoil.month.

10. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a tensile strength of at least 35 MPa to at most 500 MPa determined according toASTM D2256 (filaments) and ASTM D638 (bars), in particular at least 75 MPa to at most 300 MPa, preferably at least 100 MPa to at most 200 MPa.

11. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a melting point (Tm) of at least 150 °C wherein the Tm is taken as the maximum of the melting endotherm of a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram, or at least 160 °C, or at least 170 °C to at most 240 °C.

12. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 5 kDa, or at least 10 kDa, or at least 10 kDa to at most 100 kDa.

13. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a polydispersity index or value (Mw / Mn) of at least 1.0 to at most 6.0; wherein Mw is the weight-average molecular weight and Mn is the number-average molecular weight.

14. The copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the copolymer is characterizedby having a relative viscosity of 1.6 to 4.4 determined according to ASTM 789-19.

15. A product or article comprising or consisting of a copolymer according to any one of claims 1to 14.

16. The product or article according to claim 15, wherein the product or article is selected fromthe group consisting of brushes, filters, fibres, filaments, non-wovens, twines, textile, fishing lines, fishing nets, fuel lines, and fittings.

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