Process for recycling waste material

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which preferably comprises hydrolysis and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the products obtained in said process, such as for example isocyanates or polyols, and the use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to the present invention for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas.

Description

Process for recycling waste materialThe present invention relates to a process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step, steam reforming or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization, preferably hydrolysis, and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the treatment step. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the products obtained in said process, such as for example isocyanates or polyols, and the use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to the present invention for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas.The recycling of waste streams represents an essential building block for achieving greater sustainability of existing value chains. In material cycles of plastics, remonomerizations as recycling techniques are those with the greatest circularity. In the field of plastics, polyurethane plastics are a large-volume group. Typically, plastic waste is mixed plastic waste composed of different types of polymers. The polymers are often composed of carbon and hydrogen in combination with other elements such as chlorine, bromine, fluorine, sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen that complicate recycling efforts. The elements other than carbon and hydrogen may be harmful during the further processing in a recycling process, since they may deactivate or poison catalysts used in the further processing. For example nitrogen containing impurities may poison catalysts. In addition, they may cause a safety problem by forming explosive NOx or hydrocyanic acid when heated.For example US20010027246 discloses a method of recovering a decomposition product from a polyurethane, the method comprising the steps of thermally decomposing a polyurethane into a liquid containing a polyol and a urea compound which is soluble in the polyol, and solids containing a urea compound which is insoluble in the liquid in the presence of a polyamine compound at a temperature of 120 to 250°C; removing the solids; hydrolyzing the residue with water retained at a high temperature of 200 to 320°C and a high pressure; and recovering the resulting polyamine and / or polyol.An alternative is feedstock recycling such as pyrolysis, steam reforming and gasification. However, impurities have to be removed prior to feedstock recycling to avoid side reactions. This is particularly challenging in case the waste stream comprises mixtures of several polymers. A common type of post consumer plastic waste are for example multilayer flexible films used for food packaging. Polymers like PET and PA cause significant problems during pyrolysis due to the formation of hazardous or corrosive degradation products, which decrease the product quality and damage equipment in the recycling plant. This problem is exacerbated with multilayer flexible films. Moreover, given the huge variety of different additives used in multilayer flexible film packaging it is difficult to predict, and control, the degradation products that will be produced.One object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling the recycling, in particular including gasification or pyrolysis, of a complex waste stream of plastics to convert the stream into useful high value monomers or other chemicals, by reducing the amount of contaminants that permit decomposition of a given polymer, in order to make it easier to purify the monomer from the easier to decompose plastic.Furthermore, it was an object to provide a process for recycling polymer containing waste streams, in particular poly- urethane-containing or polyamide-containing waste streams in such a way that maximum yields of monomers can be achieved while simplifying technical workup.The problem is solved according to the present invention by a process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization, preferably hydrolysis and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization.The waste material (W) comprises polymer (P1 ) or polymer mixtures comprising polymer (P1 ) according to the present invention.It has surprisingly been found that waste streams containing one or more polymers can be treated by a process according to the present invention to improve the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification process used in polymer recycling. The process allows to reduce the amount of impurities which hinder the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification process. According to the process of the present invention, it is also possible to recover monomers of the respective polymers or derivatives thereof.The method of the present invention can advantageously be used in a recycling process as a pre-treatment step, prior to pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification, for ultimately converting the mixed polymer waste into a form that can re-enter the refinery value chain. Typically, the mixed polymer waste is plastic waste.The waste material processed in the method of the present invention is preferably mixed polymer waste such as plastic waste, and more preferably post consumer plastic waste.One of the main advantages of the method of the present invention is that the mixed polymer waste may contain relatively high levels of polymers which contain heteroatoms other than oxygen, in particular nitrogen-containing polymers as well as non-polymeric heteroatom-containing compounds, such as additives, e.g. up to 50 wt%. This is many orders of magnitude more than commercial recycling plants currently in operation, and avoids the need to mechanically separate different classes of polymer. This is because the method of the invention degrades the polymers which contain heteroatoms other than oxygen, and if present, the heteroatom-containing non-oligomeric compounds suchas additives, and the degradation products can be removed from the reaction mixture before pyrolysis is carried out. Optionally the degradation products can be recovered. Optionally the degradation products are useful chemicals, e.g. monomers and / or monomer derivatives. Recovery of the degradation products is particularly advantageous in such cases.The method of the present invention is predominantly based on a chemical degradation reaction, such as for example catalytic depolymerization, hydrogenation or specifically hydrolysis, of the heteroatom-containing polymer, and optionally compounds such as additives. This is preferable over thermal degradation of these polymers and compounds because it is controlled, and gives rise to known degradation compounds, which can be removed from the resulting mixture before it enters the pyrolysis reactor or a gasification step. This avoids the formation of corrosive or harmful substances such as acids and cyanides. Moreover, the improved purity for the pyrolysis reaction means that a significantly improved product, in terms of purity and homogeneity, is obtained from the pyrolysis reaction. The pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification reaction may be conducted at elevated temperatures. The method of the present invention reduces or avoids the need for complicated, and expensive, purification steps that are not normally, or currently, available at hydrotreatment facilities to clean up the postpyrolysis reaction product, and allows for improved process control.It is particularly advantageous to reduce the nitrogen content of the waste material. According to the invention, preferably the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 10% by the treatment step, based on the total nitrogen content.The mixed polymer waste that is processed in the method of the present invention may comprise polymers which contain heteroatoms other than oxygen, in particular nitrogen-containing polymers. Such polymers are in particular those having repeating units joined by urethane bonds, amide bonds, ester bonds, carbamate bonds, carbonate bonds, or mixtures thereof. In the conditions of the present invention, these bonds are degraded by suitable methods, preferably hydrolytically degraded, and the polymer is degraded to degradation products that can be removed from the resulting mixture.Typically, nitrogen containing components (C-N) which may be present in the waste material or may be formed in the recycling process of the waste material are amines, such as polyamines. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from amines, in particular from the group consisting of diamines and polyamines.Nitrogen containing components which may be present in the waste material or which may be formed during the recycling process include for example polyamines such as methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), naphthalindiamine (1 ,5-NDA), and caprolactam. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the processfor recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from the group consisting of methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), and caprolactam.The separation of nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization may be carried out using suitable separation techniques such as for example distillation, precipitation or extraction or combinations thereof. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the separation of nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis is carried out using distillation, precipitation and / or extraction.Typically, it is possible to reduce the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) by 10% by the treatment step, based on the total nitrogen content. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 10% by the treatment step, preferably by 50%, in particular by 90% based on the total nitrogen content.The process of the present invention may comprise several steps, in particular a depolymerization step, more preferable a hydrolysis step and one or more separation steps. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the process comprises the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1) or polymer mixtures comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolysis, of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M 1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition.Preferably, the content of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) in step mixture (M2) is reduced by 10%, preferably by 50%, in particular by 90% compared to the content in the waste material (W) in the process according to the present invention.The process comprises steps a), b), c) and d) but may also comprise further steps. The process may for example comprise further purification steps or heat treatments. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process as disclosed above, wherein the process comprises further purification steps.Suitable treatment steps are in principle known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable treatment and / or purification steps may be carried out between steps a) and b), or between steps b) and c) or between steps c) and d). In the context of the present invention it is also possible that step b) is carried out directly after step a). It is also possible that step c) is carried out directly after step b). It is also possible that step d) is carried out directly after step c).According to step (a), a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1) or polymer mixtures comprising polymer (P1) is provided. The waste material (W) may comprise polymers such as polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates or polyamides or mixtures of two or more thereof. The process of the present invention is also suitable for the treatment of waste materials comprising mixtures of two or more polyurethanes or two or more polyamides. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein polymer (P1) is selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates or polyamides. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the composition (W) comprises two or more polymers selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates and polyamides such as for example polyamide PA6 or polyamide PA66, more preferable polyamide PA66, in particular two or more polyurethanes.Before subjecting to the process of the present invention, the waste material may be subjected to sorting steps and / or to mechanical comminution. That is, further sorting and bringing the items into appropriate sizes, e.g., by shredding, sieving or separation by rates of density, i.e. by air, a liquid or magnetically. Optionally, these fragments may then undergo processes to eliminate impurities, e.g. paper labels.The properties of the waste material, in particular of polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams might vary in broad ranges. Preferably, polyurethane foams are used in the process of the present invention. According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process as disclosed above, wherein the polymer (P1 ) is selected from the group consisting of polyisocyanate derived polyurethane foams.Herein, the term "polyurethane foam waste” includes end-of-life polyurethane foams and production rejects of PU foams or waste generated through further processing of PU foams. In this context, the term "spent polyurethane foam” denotes an item produced from a polyurethane foam at a time when it has already been used for the purpose for which it was manufactured. "Production rejects of polyurethane foams" denotes polyurethane foam waste occurring in production processes or processing of PU foams.According to step (b), the composition (W) is subjected to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolysis of polymer (P1 ) to give a mixture (M 1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components.Depending on the chemical nature of the polymer and the conditions applied in the depolymerization, in particular in the hydrolysis, the further components may be oxygen containing components (C-0) such as for example a polyol or a carboxylic acid, in particular a dicarboxylic acid. For example the hydrolysis of polyamides can result in the formation of nitrogen containing components, in particular polyamines, and oxygen containing components, in particular dicarboxylic acids.Suitable conditions for the treatment step suitable for the depolymerization, such as for example the hydrolytic cleavage of the polymer are in principle known to the person skilled in the art. For example catalytic depolymerization, hydrogenation, hydrolysis, hydroaminolysis, hydroamonolysis or hydroglycolysis may be used in the process according to the present invention. According to the present invention, further additives including solvents or further catalytically active component may be added.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the treatment step is carried out by a method selected from hydrolysis, hydroaminolysis, hydroamonolysis or hydroglycolysis.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, in particular an inorganic base or an inorganic or organic amine. Suitable conditions for hydroglycolysis are in principle known to the person skilled in the art. The hydroglycolysis reaction may for example be conducted in a stirred reactor tank at a temperature in the range of from 170 to 250°C at a pressure in the range of from 1 to 50 bar.The resulting products of the depolymerization may be separated using suitable separation techniques which are in principle known to the person skilled in the art.Depending on the chemical nature of the polymer (P1) and the conditions applied in step (b), the nitrogen containing component (C-N) may for example be a polyamine.In particular in case the polymer (P1) comprises a polyurethane, after depolymerization, the process of the invention typically yields a polyamine comprising an amino group attached to the carbon atom to which in the initial polyisocyanate an isocyanate group was bound, e.g., methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), in particular 2,4 toluenediamine or 2,6-toluenediamine.According to step (c), the nitrogen containing component (C-N) is at least partially separated off to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) .The mixture (M2) may be subjected to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition according to step (d). According to an alternative embodiment, it is also possible to separate the components of mixture (M2).Suitable conditions for the separation according to step c) are in principle known to the person skilled in the art.The separation of the components, in particular the isolation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components such as for example an oxygen containing component (C-O) can be realized case dependent, for example by extractive work-up, precipitation of the amine component as a salt, for example as a hydrochloride, as a urea (in case of an aminolysis), chromatography or distillation under reduced pressure. Preferably, the work up comprises several steps.In case of extractive work-up, the mixture optionally is allowed to settle. According to one aspect of the invention, solids may be removed from the mixture before or after the mixture is allowed to settle, preferably by one or more of the following: filtration, centrifugation, decantation.In work-up by distillation, compounds are separated according to their volatility, with more volatile compounds being separated first. Additives, water or solvents used in the depolymerization can also be removed via distillation prior further work-up of the mixtures. Generally, the "volatility” of a liquid may be described using its vapor pressure, wherein a high vapor pressure indicates a high volatility, and vice versa.In the event that the nitrogen containing component (C-N) is more volatile than the oxygen containing component (C- 0) as it is for example the case for TDA, MDA, HMDA and NDA, the nitrogen containing component (C-N) is recovered from the depolymerization product via distillation, preferably via distillation at reduced pressure. After at least partially distilling-off the nitrogen containing component (C-N), a distillation bottoms remains which contains the polyol.Suitable conditions for the distillation are in principle known to the person skilled in the art and are for example disclosed in EP22178796.3 or EP22178797.1.It is also possible to precipitate the nitrogen containing component (C-N), in particular an amine component, in the form of its hydrochloride by adding HCI and extracting the polyol component with a suitable solvent for example as described in DE2854940A1.Alternatively, it is also possible to separate of and optionally recover one or more further components such as for example an oxygen containing component (C-O) or additives or catalysts, which may be recovered by extraction fromthe depolymerization mixture using suitable work-up steps. The purification may for example comprise two or more of the following but may also comprise further purification steps:- evaporation of the phase in one or more evaporators;- contacting the phase with an ion exchange material;- contacting the phase with one or more adsorbents;-extracting the phase via one or more extraction agents.Preferably, the process further comprises work-up of the mixture (M1) by purification of the nitrogen containing component (C-N), for example including distillation, extraction, adsorption, precipitation or crystallization in order to purify the amine substance.It is understood that the separation process described above can be combined with any of the various embodiments of the inventive process described herein.The process of the present invention further comprises a pyrolysis, partial oxidation and / or gasification step. Preferably, gasification is used according to the present invention. Suitable gasification processes are in principle known to the person skilled in the art.The waste material treated according to the present invention can also be fed to the pyrolysis, it being possible for the pyrolysis to be carried out either with or without a catalyst. Pyrolysis may be carried out according to conventional techniques which are well known in the art.Pyrolysis may be conducted at elevated temperature, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, to obtain a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic low molecular weight hydrocarbons and nitrogenous hydrocarbons, with or without carbon dioxide, with or without carbon monoxide, with or without hydrogen, and a residue of higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.The fractions produced during pyrolysis are gaseous, liquid and solid, with the solid phase mostly consisting mainly of pyrolytic carbon. The liquid compounds containing aromatics such as toluene, benzene, xylene are preferably fed to a refining step.The pyrolysis reaction produces hydrocarbons, e.g. waxes, oils, naphtha, pyrolysis oils, that can enter the refinery value chain.According to a further aspect, the present invention is also directed to the use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to the present invention for the preparation of polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas.The products obtained in the process may be used as such or may be further treated. For example the nitrogen containing component obtained by the process according to the present invention may be used as such as a monomer for the preparation of polymers, in particular for the preparation of polyamides.Furthermore, the invention relates to a process for producing an isocyanate substance from an nitrogen containing component obtained by a process according to the present invention. The advantages and / or features described in connection with the process for recovering a nitrogen containing component also apply for the process for producing an isocyanate substance.Preferably, the nitrogen containing component resulting from the recovery process is fed into a purification section of an amine producing plant, an amine storage tank or an isocyanate producing plant, for example in the phosgenation section of an isocyanate production plant.In the context of the present invention, the nitrogen containing components may comprise one or more nitrogen containing compounds which may be used as a mixture or which may be separated. Thus, according to the present invention, the process may further comprise step e) e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds.Suitable methods for separating the nitrogen containing compounds are in principle known to the person skilled in the art.The nitrogen containing compounds may be used as such or subjected to further treatment steps. Amines obtained may for example be used in the preparation of polyamides. For example caprolactam or HMD obtained may be used in preparation processes for polyamidesFor the use of the nitrogen containing component in the isocyanate production, the amine substance needs to be essentially free of polyol substance, residual metals and silicon compounds.The nitrogen containing component (C-N) can be subjected to further process steps, such as carbonylations, for example phosgenation or phosgene-free conversions.Preferably the nitrogen containing component (C-N) which comprises amine components is phosgenated so that an isocyanate substance is formed. For example TDA may be phosgenated to prepare TDI or MDA may be phosgenated to prepare MDI or HMDA may be phosgenated to HDI or NDA may be phosgenated to prepare NDI.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the process further comprises step f) f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component.In the context of the present invention, the term "isocyanate component” encompasses all isocyanates known to the person skilled in the art in connection with polyurethane chemistry, such as, in particular, toluene diisocyanate (TDI; prepared from toluene diamine, TDA) or the di- and polyisocyanates of the diphenylmethane series (MDI; prepared from the di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, MDA). The expression "isocyanate component" also encompasses embodiments in which two or more different isocyanates (e.g. mixtures of MDI and TDI) have been used in the preparation of the polyurethane material. This also applies within one isocyanate class (that is to say, for example, also applies to various MDI types). The totality of all isocyanates used in the preparation of the polyurethane material is referred to as the isocyanate composition (of the polyurethane material). The isocyanate composition comprises at least one isocyanate.Suitable processes are for example liquid phosgenation, gasphase phosgenation or gas-liquid phosgenation or a phosgenation via salt. It is for example possible to use the salt obtained in the process of the present invention in the phosgenation step. Suitable conditions for the phosgenation are in principle known to the person skilled in the art and are for example disclosed in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 7thed. Vol. 20, 2012, p. 63-82, WO 99 / 54289 A, WO 2004 / 056756 A (liquid phosgenation); Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 4thed. Vol. 13, 2012, p. 353, DE 25 870847 A, EP 1532107 A, EP 0570799 A EP 0289840 A (gasphase phosgenation); or EP 2044009 A1 , WO 2013 / 060836 A, WO 2013 / 079517 A (gas-liquid phosgenation). An example of gas-liquid phosgenation process is disclosed in WO 2022 / 106716, examples of gas phase phosgenation processes are disclosed in EP 1761483 B1 , EP 2079684 B1 , EP 2188247 B1 , EP 2408738 B1 and EP 2539314 B1 and examples of phosgene- free conversion are disclosed in WO2018 / 185168 and EP 3 250 622 B1.Preferably, the phosgenation comprises admixing a solvent to the amine component and mixing, more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 180 °C, more preferably in the range of from 70 to 140 °C, more preferably in the range of from 80 to 120 °C, obtaining a polyamine mixture; and bringing the polyamine mixture in contact with phosgene in a suitable apparatus, such as for example a reaction mixing nozzle and realize final conversion to polyisocyanates in one or more reactors for example stirred tank vessels, or reaction columns obtaining a mixture comprising one or more polyisocyanates. In principle, also phosgene free conversion steps are possible.The process according to the present invention might also comprise further separation and purification steps, in particular in case a mixture comprising two or more polyisocyanates is obtained. The process might for example comprise one or more distillation or crystallization steps to separate the polyisocyanates obtained. Suitable apparatusesand conditions for distillation and crystallization are in principle known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, distillation at a reduced pressure may be used for the separation of the polyisocyanates obtained.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to the process for recycling a waste material (W) as disclosed above, wherein the process further comprises step g) g) distillation of the isocyanate component.The present invention is also directed to the isocyanate composition obtained or obtainable according to the process as disclosed above. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to the use of the isocyanate composition according to the present invention or the isocyanate composition obtained or obtainable according to the process according to the present invention for the preparation of polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates. For example TDI or MDI produced according to the present invention can be used as isocyanate substance to produce polyurethane foam by reacting it with a polyol obtained according to the present invention or any other suited polyol component.In another embodiment, the recycled amine substance obtained by the process according to the present invention can be phosgenated together with virgin MDA or TDA to achieve virgin like isocyanates which can be utilized to produce polyurethane foams.The produced polyurethane material can be used in any suitable polyurethane application, preferably in the original application. The polyurethane material can for example be used in mattresses, furniture parts or car seats (TDI) or in appliance or construction applications (primarily pMDI).According to a further aspect, the present invention is also directed to a process preferably a process as disclosed above, comprising the step: converting the isocyanate and / or monomer and / or oligomer obtainable by or obtained by the process as disclosed above or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process as disclosed above to obtain a product.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to a process as disclosed above, wherein the product is selected from:I) building block or monomer; or ii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or ill) cleaning polymer, cleaning surfactant, descaling compound, cleaning biocide or composition or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; orv) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate.According to a further embodiment, the present invention is also directed to a process as disclosed above, wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the polymer product is 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight- % or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight-% or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and / or wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the polymer product is 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight-% or less, more preferably 25 weight-% or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably wherein the content is determined based on identity preservation and / or segregation and / or mass balance and / or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.The publication Prior Art Disclosure; Issue 684; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] ; ISSN: 2198-4786; published: February 12, 2024 will be regarded as Reference RF1, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the product is a product as described in Reference RF1; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] , Preferably, the process described herein is further a process for the production of a product.The converting step to obtain the product preferably comprises one or more step(s) as described below and can be performed by conventional methods well known to a person skilled in the art. The converting step preferably comprises one or more step(s) selected from: recycling, preferably depolymerizing, gasifying, pyrolyzing, and / or steam cracking; and / or purifying, preferably crystallizing, (solvent) extracting, distilling, evaporating, hydrotreating, absorbing, adsorbing and / or subjecting to ion exchanger; and / or assembling, preferably foaming, synthesizing, chemical conversion, chemically transforming, polymerizing and / or compounding; and / or forming, preferably foaming, extruding and / or molding; and / or finishing, preferably coating and / or smoothing.In addition, the one or more step(s) are described in detail in Reference RF1 ; paragraphs

[1000] to

[8005] ,The term "building block”, as used herein, comprises compounds, which are in a gaseous or liquid state under standard conditions of 0°C and 0.1 MPa. Building blocks are typically used in chemical industry to form secondary products, which provide a higher structural complexity and / or higher molecular weight than the building block on which the secondary product is based. The building block is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxid, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, syngas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. The alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds comprise in particular 1 to 12 carbon atoms, respectively.The term "monomer”, as used herein, comprises molecules, which can react with each other to form polymer chains by polymerization. The monomer is preferably selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, salts of (meth)acrylic acid; in particular sodium, potassium and zinc salts; (meth)acrolein and (meth)acrylates. (Methacrylates comprising 1 to 22 carbon atoms are preferred, in particular comprising 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The terms (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylate relate to acrylic acid, acrolein or acrylate and also to methacrylic acid, methacrolein or methacrylate, where applicable. Further, the monomer can be selected from hexamethylenediamine (HMD) and adipic acid.The building block can further be an intermediate compound. The term "intermediate compound”, as used herein, comprises organic reagents, which are applied for formation of compounds with higher molecular complexity. The intermediate compound can be selected for example from the group consisting of phosgene, polyisocyanates and propylene oxide. The polyisocyanates are in particular aromatic di- and polyisocyanates, preferably toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and / or diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).The building block and the monomer and typical converting step(s) to obtain the building block or monomer are described in more detail in paragraphs

[1000] to

[1012] of Reference RF1.The term "polymer A”, as used herein, comprises thermoplastic, e.g., polyamide or thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoset, e.g., polyurethane, elastomer, e.g., polybutadiene, or a copolymer or a mixture thereof and is defined in more detail in paragraphs

[2001] to

[2007] of Reference RF1.The term "polymer composition A”, as used herein, comprises all compositions comprising a polymer as described above and one or more additive(s), e.g. reinforcement, colorant, modifier and / or flame retardant, and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[2008] of Reference RF1.The term "polymer product A”, as used herein, comprises any product comprising the polymer A and / or polymer composition A as described above and is defined in more detail in paragraphs

[2009] and

[2010] of Reference RF1.The step(s) to obtain the polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A or polymer product, preferably polymer product A is / are described in more detail in paragraph

[2011] of Reference RF1 .The term "industrial use polymer”, as used herein, comprises rheology, polycarboxylate, alkoxylated polyalkylenamine, alkoxylated polyalkylenimine, polyether-based, dye inhibition and soil release cleaning polymers defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3035] to

[3044] of Reference RF1. The term "industrial use surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric industrial use surfactants defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3008] to

[3034] of Reference RF1. The term "industrial use descaling compound”, as used herein, comprises non-phosphate based builders (NPB) and phosphonates (CoP) described in more detail in paragraphs

[3001] to

[3005] of Reference RF1. The term "industrial use biocide”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth or reproduction defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3006] to

[3007] of Reference RF1. The term "industrial use solvent”, as used herein, comprises alkyl amides, alkyl lactamides, alkyl esters, lactate esters, alkyl diester, cyclic alkyl diester, cyclic carbonates, aromatic aldehydes and aromatic esters defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3045] to

[3055] of Reference RF1. The term "industrial use dispersant”, as used herein, comprises anionic and non-ionic industrial use dispersants defined in more detail in paragraphs

[3056] to

[3058] of Reference RF1 . The term "composition and / or formulation thereof' with reference to the industrial use polymers, industrial use surfactants, descaling compounds and / or industrial use biocides refers to industrial use compositions and / or institutional use products and / or fabric and home care products and / or personal care products defined in more detail in paragraph

[3059] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and / or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph

[3060] of Reference RF1. The converting steps to obtain the industrial use composition or formulation of the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and / or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph

[3061] of Reference RF1.The term "agrochemical composition”, as used herein, typically relates to a composition comprising an agrochemi- cally active ingredient and at least one agrochemical formulation auxiliary. Examples of agrochemical compositions, active ingredients and auxiliaries are described in more detail in Reference RF1, paragraph

[4001] ,The agrochemical composition may take the form of any customary formulation. The agrochemical compositions are prepared in a known manner, e.g. described by Mollet and Grubemann, Formulation technology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim, 2001; or Knowles, New developments in crop protection product formulation, Agrow Reports DS243, T&F Informa, London, 2005. The converting step(s) to obtain the agrochemically active ingredients and auxiliaries may be conducted in analogy to the production step(s) of their analogues that are based on petrochemicals or other precursors that are not gained by recycling processes. In addition, conversion to compounds mentioned in sections "Polymer” and "Cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or compositions or formulations thereof” may be performed as described in these sections as well as the respective paragraphs in Reference RF1.The term active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof, as used herein, comprises substances that provide pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or any function of the body. Intermediates thereof are isolated products that aregenerated during a multi-step route of synthesis of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The term pharmaceutical excipients, as used herein, comprises compounds or compound mixtures used in compositions for various pharmaceutical applications, which are not substantially pharmaceutically active on itself. Active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5001] of Reference RF1.The converting step(s) to obtain the active pharmaceutical ingredients and / or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The terms animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements, as used herein, comprises Vitamins, Pro-Vitamins and active metabolites thereof including intermediates and precursors, especially Vitamin A, B, E, D, K and esters thereof, like acetate, propionate, palmitate esters or alcohols thereof like retinol or salts thereof and any combinations thereof; Tetraterpenes, especially isoprenoids like carotenoids and xanthophylls including their intermediates and precursors as well as mixtures and derivates thereof, especially beta carotene, Canthaxanthin, Citranax- anthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Apo-carotenoids, and any combinations thereof; organic acids, especially formic acid, propionic acid and salts thereof, such as sodium, calcium or ammonium salts, and any combinations thereof, such as but not limited to mixtures of formic acid and sodium formiate, propionic acid and ammonium propionate, formic acid and propionic acid, formic acid and sodium formiate and propionic acid, propionic acid and sodium propionate and formic acid and sodium formiate; glycerides of carboxylic acids and short and medium chain fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, such as omega-6 fatty acid (C18:2) methyl ester and 1 ,2-propandiol and beverage stabilizers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone-polymer or polyvinylimidazole / polyvinylpyrrolidone-copolymer. Animal feed additives, human food additives and dietary supplements are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5002] of Reference RF1.The converting step(s) to obtain the animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The terms aroma chemical and aroma composition as used herein, comprise a volatile organic substance with a molecular weight between 70-250 g / mol comprising a functional group with a carbon skeleton of C5-C16 carbon atoms comprising linear, branched, cyclic, for example with a ring size of C5-C18, bicyclic or tricyclic aliphatic chains and but not necessarily one or more unsaturated structural elements like double bonds, triple bonds, aromatics or heteroaromatics and preferably the one or more additional functional groups are selected from alcohol, ether, ester, ketone, aldehyde, acetal, carboxylic acid, nitrile, thiol, amine. In one aspect, the aroma chemical is a terpene-based aroma chemical, for example selected from monoterpenes and monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpe- noids, diterpenes, triterpenes or tetraterpenes. Aroma chemicals can be combined with further aroma chemicals to give an aroma composition. Aroma chemicals and aroma compositions are defined in more detail in paragraph

[5003] of Reference RF1 .The converting step(s) to obtain the aroma chemical and aroma composition may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.The term "aqueous polymer dispersion”, as used herein, comprises aqueous composition(s) comprising dispersed polymer(s) and is defined in more detail in the section

[6001] entitled "aqueous polymer dispersion” of Reference RF1. The dispersed polymer(s) may be selected from acrylic emulsion polymer(s), styrene acrylic emulsion poly- mer(s), styrene butadiene dispersion(s), aqueous dispersion(s) comprising composite particles, acrylate alkyd hybrid dispersion(s), polyurethane(s) (including UV-curable polyurethanes) and polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer(s). The term "emulsion polymer”, as used herein, comprises polymer(s) made by free-radical emulsion polymerization. Aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) are defined in more detail in the section

[6002] entitled "Polyurethane dispersions” of Reference RF1. UV-curable polyurethane(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6017] of Reference RF1. Polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6016] of Reference RF1 .The term "polymeric dispersant”, as used herein, comprises preferably polymer(s) comprising polyether side chain, in particular polycarboxylate ether polymer(s) and polycondensation product(s) defined in more detail in paragraph

[6020] entitled "Polymeric dispersant” of Reference RF1.The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polymer dispersion(s) comprising emulsion polymer(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6003] entitled "Emulsion polymerization” of Reference RF1.The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6014] entitled "Process for the preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersions” and section [6017)] entitled "Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” of Reference RF1 .Composition(s) and uses of aqueous polymer dispersion(s) and of polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in the following sections of Reference RF1 : section

[6004] entitled "Uses of aqueous polymer dispersions”, section

[6005] entitled "Binders for architectural and construction coatings” section

[6006] entitled "Binders for paper coating” section

[6007] entitled "Binders for fiber bonding” section

[6008] entitled "Adhesive polymers and adhesive compositions” section

[6015] entitled "Aqueous polyurethane dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section

[6016] entitled "Aqueous polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybride polymer dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section

[6017] entitled "Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” section

[6018] entitled "Inorganic binder compositions comprising polymeric dispersants and their use”

[6019] 100% curable coating compositionsUV-crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylate(s) and its / their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6009] entitled "UV- crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylates for use in UV-curable solvent-free hotmelt adhesives and their use for making pressure-sensitive self-adhesive articles” of Reference RF1.Polyisocyanate(s), composition(s) comprising them and their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6010] entitled "Polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.Hyperbranched polyester polyol(s) and its / their uses are defined in more detail in section

[6011] entitled "Organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols suitable for use in coating compositions” of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the hyperbranched polyester polyols is / are defined in more detail in the section

[6012] entitled "Preparation of organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols” of Reference RF1 . Coating compositions) comprising hyperbranched polyester polyol(s), polyisocyanate(s) and additive(s) and substrate(s) coated therewith are defined in more detail in section

[6013] entitled "Organic solvent based two component coating compositions comprising hyperbranched polyester polyols and polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.Unsaturated polyester polyol(s), solvent-based coating composition(s) comprising said unsaturated polyester pol- yol(s) and substrate(s) for coating with said coating composition(s) are defined in more detail in section

[6018] entitled "Organic solvent based coating composition comprising unsaturated polyester polyols” of Reference RF1. 100% curable coating composition(s) is / are defined in more detail in section

[6019] of Reference RF1.Polymeric dispersant(s) for inorganic binder compositions is / are defined in more detail in section

[6020] of Reference RF1. The inorganic binder composition(s) comprising the polymeric dispersants and their use are defined in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in section

[6020] of Reference RF1. The term "inorganic binder composition” comprising the polymeric dispersant(s), as used herein, comprises preferably in particular hydraulically setting compositions and compositions comprising calcium sulfate and is defined in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1 entitled "Inorganic binder compositions comprising the polymeric dispersant and their use”. Specific building material formulation(s) comprising polymeric dispersant(s) or building product(s) produced by a building material formulation comprising a polymeric dispersant are disclosed in more detail in section

[6021] of Reference RF1.The term "cosmetic surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7002] of Reference RF1. The term "emollient”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound used for protecting, moisturizing, and / or lubricating the skin and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7003] of Reference RF1. The term "wax”, as used herein, comprises pearlizers and opacifiers and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7004] of Reference RF1. The term "cosmetic polymer”, as used herein, comprises any polymer that can be used as an ingredient in a cosmetic formulation and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7005] of Reference RF1. The term "UV filter”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that blocks or absorbs ultraviolet light and is defined in more detail in paragraph

[7006] of Reference RF1 . The term "further cosmetic ingredient”,as used herein, comprises any ingredient suitable for making a cosmetic formulation. Several sources disclose cosmetically acceptable ingredients. E. g. the database Cosing on the internet pages of the European Commission discloses cosmetic ingredients and the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, edited by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), discloses cosmetic ingredients. The term "composition and / or formulation thereof' with reference to the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter and / or further cosmetic ingredient refers to personal care and / or cosmetic compositions or formulations defined in more detail in paragraph

[7007] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter or further cosmetic ingredient is / are defined in more detail in paragraph

[7008] of Reference RF1 .The terms "polymer B”, "polymer composition B”, "coating composition”, "other functional composition”, "foil”, "molded body”, "coating” and "coated substrate” are well known to the person skilled in the art and are defined in more detail from paragraph

[8000] to

[8005] of Reference RF1.Further embodiments of the present invention can be found in the claims and the examples. It will be appreciated that the features of the subject matter / processes / uses according to the invention that are mentioned above and elucidated below are usable not only in the combination specified in each case but also in other combinations without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the combination of a preferred feature with a particularly preferred feature or of a feature not characterized further with a particularly preferred feature etc. is thus also encompassed im-plicitly even if this combination is not mentioned explicitly.Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are listed below, but these do not restrict the present invention. In particular, the present invention also encompasses those embodiments which result from the dependency references and hence combinations specified hereinafter.1 . A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization.2. The process according to embodiment 1, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from amines, in particular from the group consisting of diamines and polyamines.3. The process according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from the group consisting of methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), and caprolactam.4. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the separation of nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization is carried out using distillation, precipitation and / or extraction.5. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 10% by the treatment step, preferably by 50%, in particular by 90% based on the total nitrogen content.6. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the process comprises the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition.7. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein polymer (P1) is selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates or polyamides.8. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the treatment step is carried out by a method selected from hydrolysis, hydroaminolysis hydroamonolysis or hydroglycolysis.9. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the depolymerization, in particular the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, in particular an inorganic base or an organic or inorganic amine.10. The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the composition (W) comprises two or more polymers selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates and polyamides, in particular two or more polyurethanes.11 . The process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the process further comprises step e) e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds.12. Use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11 for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas13. The process according to any one of embodiments 6 to 11, wherein the process further comprises step (f)(f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e)to obtain an isocyanate component.14. The process according to embodiment 13, wherein the process further comprises step g)(g) distillation of the isocyanate component.15. A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises hydrolysis and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M1) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and at least one oxygen containing component (C-O);(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) comprising at least one oxygen containing component;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition.16. A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M 1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition,(e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds,(f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component. The process according to embodiment 16, wherein the process further comprises step g)(g) distillation of the isocyanate component. A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1 );(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M1) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition,(e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds.(f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component,(g) distillation of the isocyanate component.19. Isocyanate composition obtained or obtainable according to the process according to any one of embodiments 13 to 18.20. Isocyanate composition obtained or obtainable according to a process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises hydrolysis and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage, of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M 1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C- N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition,(e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds,(f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component.21 . Isocyanate composition obtained or obtainable according to a process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasificationstep by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the hydrolysis, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1 ) to give a mixture (M 1 ) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1) ;(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition,(e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds,(f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component,(g) distillation of the isocyanate component.22. Use of the isocyanate composition according to any one of embodiments 19 to 21 for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates.18. Use of the isocyanate composition obtainable or obtained by a process according to any one of embodiments 13 to 18 or of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to any one of embodiments 1 to11, for preparing a polymeric product.19. Process, preferably according to any one of the embodiments 1 to 11 or 13 to 18, comprising the step: converting the product and / or monomer and / or oligomer obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11 or 13 to 18 or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11 or 13 to 18 to obtain a product.20. Process according to embodiment 19, wherein the product is selected from: I) building block or monomer; orii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or ill) cleaning polymer, cleaning surfactant, descaling compound, cleaning biocide or composition or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; or v) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate. Process according to any one of embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the product is 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight- % or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight-% or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and / or wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the polymer product is 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight-% or less, more preferably 25 weight-% or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably wherein the content is determined based on identity preservation and / or segregation and / or mass balance and / or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard. A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1), the process comprising a pyrolysis step, steam reforming or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization, wherein the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 10% by the treatment step, based on the total nitrogen content.23. The process according to embodiment 22, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from amines, in particular from the group consisting of diamines and polyamines.24. The process according to embodiment 22 or 23, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from the group consisting of methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), naphthalindiamine (NDA) and caprolactam.25. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 24, wherein the separation of nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization is carried out using distillation, precipitation and / or extraction.26. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 25, wherein the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 50% by the treatment step, in particular by 90% based on the total nitrogen content.27. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 26, wherein the process comprises the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1) or polymer mixtures comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M1) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1);(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition.28. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 27, wherein polymer (P1) is selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates or polyamides.29. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 28, wherein the treatment step is carried out by a method selected from hydrolysis, hydroaminolysis, hydroamonolysis or hydroglycolysis.30. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 29, wherein the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of a catalyst, in particular an inorganic base or an inorganic or organic amine.31 . The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 30, wherein the composition (W) comprises two or more polymers selected from polyurethanes, polyisocyanurates and polyamides, in particular two or more polyurethanes.32. The process according to any one of embodiments 22 to 31 , wherein the process further comprises step e) e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds.33. Use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to any one of embodiments 22 to 32 for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas.34. The process according to any one of embodiments 27 to 32, wherein the process further comprises step f) f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component.35. The process according to embodiment 34, wherein the process further comprises step g) g) distillation of the isocyanate component.The following examples illustrate the invention.Examples1. Example 1 : Remonomerization of model PU foam derived from a car seat10 g of an PU foam sample derived from a car seat was prepared. According to an elemental analysis the N- content of the foam was 3.9 g / 100g (overall 0.39 g ). The sample was charged into a stirred autoclave (3.5 I) together with 100 g water and 50 g Toluene. The reactor was closed and the gas atmosphere was exchanged with nitrogen three times to ensure inert conditions. About 10 g of Ammonia (gaseous) was transferred to the reactor. Afterwards the reactor was heated up to 230°C and held for 4 hours at this temperature. Thereby a pressure of about 40 bar build-up. Then the reactor was cooled down to room temperature and flushed several times with nitrogen to remove NH3 and CO2 from the system.The autoclave residue (164.2 g) was filled into a funnel and heated to 80-85°C. A phase separation occurred and a lower phase (nitrogen poor phase) of 105 g and an upper phase (nitrogen rich phase) of about 54.8 g could be withdrawn from the phase separator. The upper phase was concentrated by evaporation to get 8.8 g upper phase product M1 . The lower phase was concentrated by evaporation to get finally 19.5 g of lower phase product M2.Elementary analysis showed a N-content of 4 wt% in the upper phase M1 according to 0.35 g N. The remaining N (0.04g N = 10 % of original content) can be assigned to lower phase M2 according to a concentration of 0.2 g / 100g. Elementary analysis of lower phase showed N-content <0.5 g / 100g and confirmed the depleted value. The lower phase M2 was subsequently used in a gasification. Example 2:The same procedure as described in example 1 was applied. Additionally, the concentrated upper phase was worked-up by a fractional distillation in vacuum. In the distillation an intermediate distillate fraction of about 1 ,8 g was produced containing 2.7 wt% 2,2'-MDA, 30.2 wt% 2,4'-MDA and 67 wt% 4,4'-MDA analyzed by GC. This fraction M1 was admixed with virgin PMDA and the whole mixture was phosgenated to get PMDI. The other distillate fractions, the sump and the lower phase were mixed to get about 26.6 g of a production mixture M2. The N-content of this mixture was depleted by removal of the MDA fraction to 0.135 g N according to 35% of original N amount. The mixture M2 was used subsequently in a gasification. Example 3:The same procedure as in example 1 was applied to get 8.8 g of the concentrated upper phase again. The concentrate was admixed with toluene (25g) again and 32wt% HCI (26.5 g) was added. The mixture was stirred at 80°C for 3 hours. Then the mixture was cooled down to 40°C and after addition of toluene and water, phase separation was allowed to get 40.4 g of an aqueous phase M1 and about 50.25 g of organic phase M2. The N-content of the aqueous phase was 0.6 wt% (0.12 g N) according to elemental analysis. The toluene phase was concentrated by removal of toluene and admixed with the lower phase (19.6 g) to mixture M2. The mixture M2 contains residual 0.27 g N ( 70 % of original N-amount) and was used in a gasification. Example 4:About 3880 g of a waste containing PU soft foam was shredded, milled and suspended in about 1060 g diethylene glycol (DEG). According to an elementary analysis the waste contains 4.77 g / 100g Nitrogen. The suspension was filled into a 20 I autoclave together with 1766 g water and 360 g toluene diamine (80% 2,4-TDA and 20% 2,6-TDA). The autoclave was sealed, heated-up to 200°C and held for 4 hours under these conditions. Afterwards the reactor was cooled down and depressurized. About 6672 g of a liquid mixture containingsome solids could be withdrawn. The mixture was centrifuged and phases were allowed to separate for 24 hours in a 10 1 tank at 80°C. About 2500g of a lower phase, 3290 g of an upper phase and 20g of solids could be withdrawn. Water, DEG and TDA were removed from the upper phase to get a product depleted in nitrogen content down to 0.6 g / 100g. This product was used in a gasification.5. Example 5:The same procedure as in example 4 was applied but 2220 g of the lower phase was worked-up by batch distillation. Thereby in a first step about 1090g water and in a second step 670 g DEG are removed. Finally, 370 g of a polyamine mixture (97.3% TDA and 2,7% methylene diphenylamine MDA) was distilled off. A residue of about 100 g remains in the distillation unit. The polyamine mixture was phosgenated in solvent MCB to get after removal of the solvent about 526 g of a crude isocyanate mixture. The mixture was distilled in a batch distillation to get a TDI (Toluene diisocyanate) fraction of about 498 g and a MDI Diisocyanato diphenyl methane fraction of about 12 g.6. Example 6:The same procedure as in example 4 was applied, but 2220 g of the lower phase was worked-up by batch distillation. After removal of water and DEG as described in example 5, a fraction of 360 g TDA could be withdrawn followed by a fraction of 10 g containing monomeric diamino diphenyl methane (MDA). Both fractions were separately converted to the corresponding isocyanates by phosgenation to obtain 498 g of TDI and 12.6 g of crude MDI after purification.Literature citedUS20010027246US20010027246EP22178796.3EP22178797.1DE2854940A1Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 7thed. Vol. 20, 2012, p. 63-82WO 99 / 54289 AWO 2004 / 056756 AUllmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 4thed. Vol. 13, 2012, p. 353DE 25 870847 AEP 1532107 AEP 0570799 AEP 0289840 AEP 2044009 A1WO 2013 / 060836 AWO 2013 / 079517 A WO 2022 / 106716EP 1761483 B1EP 2079684 B1EP 2188247 B1EP 2408738 B1 EP 2539314 B1WO2018 / 185168EP 3250 622 B1

Claims

Claims1 . A process for recycling a waste material (W) containing at least one polymer (P1 ), the process comprising a pyrolysis step, steam reforming or a gasification step, wherein the nitrogen content in the waste material (W) is reduced prior to the pyrolysis, steam reforming or gasification step by a treatment step which comprises depolymerization and separation of one or more nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from amines, in particular from the group consisting of diamines and polyamines.

3. The process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nitrogen containing components (C-N) are selected from the group consisting of methylene diphenyl diamines (MDA), oligomeric and polymeric methylene phenylene amine and toluenediamines (TDA), hexamethylene diamine (HMDA), naphthalindiamine (NDA) and caprolactam.

4. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the separation of nitrogen containing components (C-N) formed in the depolymerization is carried out using distillation, precipitation and / or extraction.

5. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nitrogen content of the waste material (W) is reduced by 10% by the treatment step, preferably by 50%, in particular by 90% based on the total nitrogen content.

6. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the process comprises the steps of(a) providing a waste material (W) comprising polymer (P1) or polymer mixtures comprising polymer (P1);(b) subjecting composition (W) to conditions suitable for depolymerization, in particular hydrolytic cleavage of polymer (P1) to give a mixture (M1) comprising at least one nitrogen containing component (C-N) and further components;(c) at least partially separating off the nitrogen containing component (C-N) to give a mixture (M2) having a lower content of component (C-N) than mixture (M1);(d) subjecting mixture (M2) to a pyrolysis step or a gasification step to achieve thermal decomposition.

7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein polymer (P1) is selected from polyurethanes, poly- isocyanurates or polyamides.

8. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the treatment step is carried out by a method selected from hydrolysis, hydroaminolysis, hydroamonolysis or hydroglycolysis, preferably by hydrolysis, in particular by hydrolysis in the presence of a catalyst, in particular an inorganic base or an inorganic or organic amine.

9. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the process further comprises step e) e) separation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) by distillation or crystallization to obtain one or more nitrogen containing compounds.

10. Use of the products obtained in the thermal decomposition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for the preparation of polyamides, polyurethanes or polyisocyanurates, as a naphtha substitute in steam crackers or in the production of synthesis gas.11 . The process according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the process further comprises step f) f) phosgenation of the nitrogen containing component (C-N) or of one or more of the nitrogen containing compounds obtained according to step e) to obtain an isocyanate component.

12. The process according to claim 11, wherein the process further comprises step g) g) distillation of the isocyanate component.

13. Process, preferably according to any one of the claims 1 to 9 or 11 or 12, comprising the step: converting the filler and / or monomer and / or oligomer obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or 11 or 12 or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or 11 or 12 to obtain a product.

14. Process according to claim 13, wherein the product is selected from:I) building block or monomer; or ii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or ill) cleaning polymer, cleaning surfactant, descaling compound, cleaning biocide or composition or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; orv) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate15. Process according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the product is 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight- % or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight-% or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and / or wherein the content of the polymeric material (PM) in the polymer product is 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight-% or less, more preferably 25 weight-% or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably wherein the content is determined based on identity preservation and / or segregation and / or mass balance and / or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.