Cold flow property improvement of bio-oils

Abstract

The present invention concerns the improvement of cold flow properties of renewable oils, i.e., bio-oils and blends comprising at least one bio-oil by the addition of polymeric pour point depressants. The present inven- tion further concerns bio-oils and blends comprising at least one bio-oil which further comprise at least one of said polymers and the use of at least one of said polymers to improve the cold flow properties of such bio-oils and blends.

Description

Cold flow property improvement of bio-oilsField of the InventionThe present invention relates to a process for improving the cold flow properties of bio-oils and to bio-oils which have improved cold flow properties.Background of the inventionBio-oils often have a pour point above 0 °C. Such a comparably high pour point has a negative influence on the cold flow properties of such bio-oils, especially when the temperature of the environment is at the level of the bio-oil pour point or below. Hence, handling of such bio-oils in e.g., a typical central European winter can be difficult or even impossible without utilizing heated equipment such as pipelines, tubing, (storage) tanks and the like. Such equipment is more expensive than comparable equipment without heating capabilities, particularly because the flash point of such bio-oils may be about or even below 50 °C. Further, heating of such equipment consumes energy which has a negative impact on our climate. Improved cold flow properties result for example in better transportability and / or pumpability of bio-oils and blends comprising such bio-oil through pipelines, tubes, machinery, and the like.An established method to decrease the pour point of refined oils and related liquids derived from fossil sources utilizes added pour point depressants. However, due to fundamentally different compositions of oils derived from fossil oils on the one hand and bio-oils on the other hand, such pour point depressants are not necessarily expected to influence the pour point of such bio-oils significantly. Bio-oils have a higher content of heteroatoms such as N, 0, and S and possibly a higher concentration of olefins and aromatics compared to oils derived from fossil sources which have a very high concentration of alkanes instead. Accordingly, such bio-oils are considered “non-refined oils” in respect to refined oils from fossil source.It is known that “pour point depressants have little or no effect on non-refined oils; also, these compounds have themselves some pour-point depressant effect, they act as antagonists towards synthetic pour-point depressants” (Lubricants and Special Fluids (Tribology Series, 23), V. Stepina, V. Vesely, Elsevier 1992, pages 372-375).Cold-flow additives for plastic-derived synthetic feedstocks selected from vinyl carboxylic acid ester polymers, alpha olefin maleic anhydride polymers, or combinations thereof are disclosed in WO 2022 / 056212 A1 .It is an objective of the present invention to provide a process for improving the cold flow properties of bio-oils and blends comprising at least one bio-oil.It is a further objective of the present invention to provide bio-oils and blends comprising at least one of such bio-oils which have improved cold flow properties.Summary of the inventionThese problems are solved by a process for improving the cold flow properties of a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil, the process comprising the steps(i) providing a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil; wherein preferably said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processingresidues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %;(ii) providing at least one polymer, wherein the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); and(iii) adding the at least one polymer provided in step (ii) to the bio-oil or to the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i) and thereby improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or said blend.The bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil formed in step (iii) is the product of the process according to the present invention. Bio-oils and blends comprising at least one bio-oil that are obtained by admixture of polymers described herein, e.g., as obtained in step (iii), are referred to as “polymer-modified bio-oils” and “polymer-modified blends”, respectively.These problems are further solved by a polymer-modified bio-oil and a polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil, wherein preferably said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processing residues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %, the bio-oil having one or more of the following properties a pour point in the range of -30 °C to +60 °C, preferably of -20 °C to +50 °C, more preferably of above 0 °C, more preferably of above +20 °C, e.g., of +20 °C to +45 °C,a bromine number of 2 g Br2 / 100g to 150 g Br2 / 100g, preferably of 10 g Br2 / 100g to 100 g Br2 / 100g, more preferably of 30 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g, e.g., of 40 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g (determined by ASTM 1159), an acid number of 2 mg KOH / g to 200 mg KOH / g, preferably of 5 mg KOH / g to 150 mg KOH / g, e.g., of 13 mg KOH / g to 130 mg KOH / g or of 5 mg KOH / g to 20 mg KOH / g (measured according to ASTM 664), a viscosity (measured at 40 °C according to DIN 53019) in the range of 0.5 mPas to 250 mPas, preferably of 1 mPas to 50 mPas, e.g., of 2 mPas to 37 mPas or of 30 mPas to 50 mPas, and / or a flash point (measured according to DIN EN ISO 2719) in the range of 40 °C to 260 °C, preferably of 100 °C to 250 °C, e.g., of 150 °C to 210 °C; and further comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)).These problems are further solved by using at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); in a polymer-modified bio-oil or a polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil for improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or blend wherein preferably said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processing residues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %.General Terms and DefinitionsIn the context of the present description and the accompanying claims, the term “about” preferably means a deviation of the thus described value of ±10 %.The terms “comprise(s)”, “comprising” etc. are inclusive of and may, in a preferred embodiment, be replaced by the terms “consist(s) of”, “consisting of” etc.In the context of the present invention, the term “combinations thereof” is inclusive of one or more of the recited elements.In the context of the present invention, the term “mixture thereof” is inclusive of one or more of the recited elements, “ppm” is defined herein as “parts per million” mass by volume and corresponds to mg / L.“ppmv” is defined herein as “parts per million volume” and is dimensionless.“Pour point” is defined herein as the lowest temperature at which a liquid, such as a pyrolysis oil, bio-oil, or diesel fuel, will flow under specific test conditions. The pour point is an important “cold flow” property for liquids that are used in cold environments or are transported over distances, as a high pour point can cause the liquid to become viscous and difficult to pump or flow through pipelines, tubing, or machinery. The pour point of a bio-oil or blends comprising at least one bio-oil can be determined by the method according to DIN ISO 3016:2019 and the method according to ASTM D7346-15; it is preferably determined by the latter.The term “hydrocarbyl” is to be interpreted broadly and includes both long-chain and short-chain, straight or branched hydrocarbon radicals having 1 to 50 carbon atoms, which may optionally contain additional heteroatoms, such as O, N, NH, S, in their chain. Furthermore, hydrocarbyl radicals may be mono- or polyunsaturated and may contain one ormore non-cumulated, such as 1 to 5, such as 1 , 2 or 3, C-C double bonds or C-C triple bonds, in particular 1 , 2 or 3 double bonds. They can be natural or synthetic. The term hydrocarbyl includes but is not limited to the term alkyl.Detailed description of the inventionThe present invention is further described below with reference to the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and any modifications of these embodiments, combinations of these embodiments or substitutions within the basic spirit of the present invention are still within the scope of the present invention as claimed. Importantly, the features of the bio-oils, blends, polymers, polymer-modified bio-oils and polymer-modified blends that are contemplated within the scope of the invention will be described hereinafter mainly in the context of the process of the invention. However, said features apply equally to the polymer-modified bio-oils and polymer-modified blends according to the invention as well as to the use of the polymers therein according to the invention.“Biomass” is biological material derived from living or recently living organisms. In particular, the term “biomass” comprises plants or parts thereof like crops, energy crops, wood, wood waste, wood pellets, wood chips, forestry and agricultural residues, straw, lignocellulosic biomass, or residues thereof, marine organisms (like algae), biobased oils, biobased fats (preferably hydrated), and biowaste such as organic food waste.According to one embodiment, the biomass is of vegetable origin, preferably it comprises or is derived from algae, oil crops, oil palms, soybeans, rapeseed, mustard, flax, cottonseed, sunflower, corn, castor beans, hemp, field pennycress, pongamia, jatropha, coconut palms, macauba palms, mahua, camelina, salicornia, carinata, lignocellulose, wood, forestry residues, agricultural residues, crop residues, straw, residues from vegetable oil production, green waste, food waste, and used vegetable cooking oil, more preferably it comprises or is derived from algae, oil crops, oil palms, soybeans, rapeseed, pongamia, sunflower, corn, castor beans, jatropha, coconut palms, macauba palms, camelina, and carinata, most preferably it comprises or is derived from oil palms, soybeans, rapeseed, jatropha, and macauba palms.According to another embodiment, the biomass is of animal origin, preferably it comprises or is derived from animal fat, livestock-related products like tallow, fish fat, or food waste.“Bio-oils” are liquid compound mixtures, mainly comprising highly oxygenated compounds (e.g., glycerides, esters, carboxylic acids, phenols, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, furans, and sugars) and water, while their exact compositions depend on the biomass feedstocks and the processing steps applied. The term bio-oil includes in particular vegetable oils like rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil, castor oil, jatropha oil, carinata oil, palm oil, and macauba palm (kernel or pulp) oil, and processing residues thereof (like palm fatty acid distillate), used cooking oil, tall oil, animal fats (like tallow), and oils obtained by thermochemical conversion of biomass, e.g., biomass-derived pyrolysis or hydrothermal liquefaction oils, as well as mixtures thereof. Preferably, the bio-oil according to this invention is a vegetable oil, a vegetable oil processing residue, a used cooking oil, a tall oil, an animal fat, a pyrolysis bio-oil, or a hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oil, more preferably a vegetable oil, a vegetable oil processing residue, a used cooking oil, a tall oil, or an animal fat.In the context of the present invention, the term “pyrolysis” relates to a thermal decomposition or degradation of a feedstock like plastic waste or biomass under inert conditions and results in a gas, a liquid, and a solid char fraction. During the pyrolysis, the feedstock is converted in a pyrolysis unit into a great variety of chemicals including gases such as H2, C1 - to C4-alkanes, C2- to C4-alkenes, ethyne, propyne, 1 -butyne, pyrolysis oil having a boiling temperature of 25 °C to 500 °C or more and char. The direct products from such a pyrolysis are “pyrolysis gas” and solid products. The liquid product “pyrolysis oil” is then separated by condensation from the “pyrolysis gas”. The term “pyrolysis” includes slow pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis, flash pyrolysis, and catalytic pyrolysis. These pyrolysis types differ regarding process temperature, heating rate, residence time, feedstock particle size, etc. resulting in different product quality. The pyrolysis unit may be operated adiabatically, isothermal ly, non adiabatically, non-isothermally, or combinations thereof. The pyrolysis reactions of this disclosure may be carried out in a single stage or in multiple stages. For example, the pyrolysis unit can comprise two reactor vessels fluidly connected in series.In the context of the present invention, the term “plastic waste pyrolysis oil” is understood to mean any oil originating from the pyrolysis of plastic waste. The term “plastic waste” includes rubber waste such as end-of-life tires, feedstocks comprising plastic waste such as mixed plastic waste (MPW) and feedstocks derived from automotive shredder residue (ASR). The plastic waste pyrolysis oil is obtained and / or obtainable from pyrolysis of such plastic waste.In the context of the present invention, the term “plastic waste” preferably refers to any plastic material discarded after use, i.e., the plastic material has reached the end of its useful life and is considered post-consumer waste. The plastic waste can be pure polymeric plastic waste, mixed plastic waste or film waste, including soiling, adhesive materials, fillers, residues etc. The plastic waste may have an oxygen content, a nitrogen content, sulfur content, halogen content and optionally also a heavy metal content. The plastic waste can originate from any plastic material containing source. Accordingly, the term “plastic waste” includes industrial and domestic plastic waste and including used tires and agricultural and horticultural plastic material.Typically, plastic waste is a mixture of different plastic materials, including hydrocarbon plastics, e.g., polyolefins such as polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) and polypropylene, polystyrene, and copolymers thereof, etc., and polymers composed of carbon, hydrogen, and other elements such as chlorine, fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicone, etc., for example chlorinated plastics, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), etc., nitrogen-containing plastics, such as polyamides (PA), polyurethanes (PU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), etc., oxygen-containing plastics such as polyesters, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), etc., silicones and / or sulfur bridges crosslinked rubbers.Typically, the plastic material comprises additives, such as processing aids, plasticizers, flame retardants, pigments, light stabilizers, lubricants, impact modifiers, antistatic agents, antioxidants, etc. These additives may comprise elements other than carbon and hydrogen. For example, bromine is mainly found in connection to flame retardants. Heavy metal compounds may be used as lightfast pigments and / or stabilizers in plastics. Cadmium, zinc, and lead may be present in heat stabilizers and slip agents used in plastics manufacturing. The plastic waste can also contain residues. Residues in the sense of the invention are contaminants adhering to the plastic waste. The additives and residues are usually present in an amount of less than 50 wt.-%, preferably less than 30 wt.-%, more preferably less than 20 wt.-%, even more preferably less than 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the dry weight plastic.Examples of rubber waste (which is also considered “plastic waste” in the sense of the present invention) include end- of-life tires, rubber waste produced during manufacturing processes and discarded rubber containing products such as latex examining gloves and gaskets. End-of-life tires comprise further ingredients such as textiles and organic and inorganic additives which may be separated from the rubber portion of end-of-life tires prior to pyrolysis. Pyrolysis oils obtained by pyrolysis of (predominantly) end-of-life tires are also known as tire pyrolysis oils (TPO).To obtain plastic waste pyrolysis oil, the plastic waste feedstock is inserted into a pyrolysis reactor using a dosing unit such as a screw, an extruder, a rotary valve, a pneumatic conveyor or a liquid injector. The feedstock is optionally preheated in e.g., a heat exchanger prior to insertion into the pyrolysis reactor and / or subjected to a pre-pyrolysis at a temperature in the range of, for example, from about 200 °C to about 360 °C. Next, the feedstock is heated in the pyrolysis reactor to a temperature in the range of from about 350 °C to about 900 °C, more preferably in the range of from 400 °C to about 550 °C, and a pressure in the range of from about 0.5 bar to about 2 bar(abs), more preferably in the range of from 0.9 bar to about 1 .5 bar(abs).The pyrolysis reactor is preferably selected from the group comprising fluidized bed reactors, moving bed reactors, entrained flow reactors, screw reactors, extruders, stirred tank reactors and rotary kiln reactor. Preferably, the pyrolysis is performed in the pyrolysis reactor under an inert atmosphere exempt of oxygen or air.Pyrolysis processes as such are known. They are described, e.g., in EP 0713906 A1 and WO 95 / 03375 A1. Suitable plastic waste pyrolysis oils are also commercially available. The plastic waste pyrolysis oil is typically a liquid at 15 °C or a wax at said temperature. “Liquid at 15 °C” in the terms of the present invention means that the plastic waste pyrolysis oil has a density of at most 1 .3 g / ml, e.g., a density preferably in the range from 0.65 to 0.98 g / ml, at 15 °C and 1013 mbar, as determined according to DIN EN ISO 12185.Optionally, the plastic waste pyrolysis oil is subjected to one or more methods selected from filtration, centrifugation, adsorption, washing, extraction, distillation, hydrotreatment before provided in step (i). Such optional pre-treatment methods are for example described in WO 2021 / 224287 A1, WO 2023 / 061834 A1 , EP 0713906 A1 and WO 95 / 03375 A1 which are incorporated herein by reference. A skilled person knows how and in which cases to use pre-treatment methods disclosed in said documents and comparable pre-treatment methods disclosed elsewhere.A plastic waste pyrolysis oil may be provided in step (i) as a part of the blend comprising at least one bio-oil. Preferably, the plastic waste pyrolysis oil is manufactured by pyrolysis from mixed plastic waste. More preferably, the mixed plastic waste comprises at least one member of the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ethylenepropylene copolymer, polybutylene, polybutadiene or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and copolymers thereof.The bio-oil preferably has a pour point in the range of -30 °C to +60 °C, more preferably of -20 °C to +50 °C, more preferably of above 0 °C, more preferably of above +20 °C, e.g., of +20 °C to +45 °C.Also, the bio-oil preferably has a bromine number of 2 g Br2 / 100g to 150 g Br2 / 100g, more preferably of 10 g Br2 / 100g to 100 g Br2 / 100g, more preferably 30 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g, e.g., 40 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g (determined by ASTM 1159).Also, the bio-oil preferably has an acid number of 2 mg KOH / g to 200 mg KOH / g, more preferably of 5 mg KOH / g to 150 mg KOH / g, e.g., of 13 mg KOH / g to 130 mg KOH / g or of 5 mg KOH / g to 20 mg KOH / g (measured according to ASTM 664).Also, the bio-oil preferably has a viscosity (measured at 40 °C according to DIN 53019) in the range of 0.5 mPas to 250 mPas, more preferably of 1 mPas to 50 mPas, e.g., of 2 mPas to 37 mPas or of 30 mPas to 50 mPas.Also, the bio-oil preferably has a flash point (measured according to DIN EN ISO 2719) in the range of 40 °C to 260 °C, more preferably of 100 °C to 250 °C, e.g., of 150 °C to 210 °C.Such bio-oils are particularly suited for the process, for the polymer-modified bio-oil or blend, and for the use according to the present invention.The starting material provided in step (i) can be a single bio-oil, e.g., manufactured in a single batch, or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil.Preferably, said blend comprises two or more bio-oils. Said blend can comprise bio-oils, e.g., manufactured in different batches, from the same type of biomass or bio-oils, e.g., manufactured in different batches, from different types of biomass. In particular, said blend may comprise, preferably consist of, at least two bio-oils.Also said blend can comprise at least one bio-oil and at least one further liquid, the at least one further liquid being selected from liquids manufactured from fossil oils such as naphtha and from liquids obtained by pyrolysis of plastic waste (“plastic waste pyrolysis oils”). Preferably, said blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one plastic waste pyrolysis oil.Preferably, the total mass fraction of bio-oil(s) in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %.In case, said blend comprises at least one plastic waste pyrolysis oils, the total mass fraction of bio-oil(s) and plastic waste pyrolysis oil(s) in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %. In case, said blend comprises at least one liquid manufactured from fossil oil, the total mass fraction of said fossil- derived liquid(s) in said blend is not more than 50 %, preferably not more than 40 %, more preferably not more than 30 %, more preferably not more than 20 %, more preferably not more than 10 %, more preferably not more than 5 %.Of note, the blend to be provided in step (i) may already comprise at least one pour point depressant, preferably at least one of the polymers described herein. Thus, said blend may be formed by mixing polymer-modified oils, in particular polymer-modified bio-oils. This means that the blending step may be performed prior to the admixture of at least one pour point depressant to the blend or after the admixture of at least one pour point depressant to at least one blending component.The term “polymer” includes homopolymers (derived from just one type of monomer) and copolymers (derived from more than one type of monomer). Of note, when a polymer designation contains a generic term for describing theunderlying monomer(s), e.g., “hydrocarbyl” in “poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate)”, said generic term may have the same specific meaning for all monomers of the polymer (i.e., the polymer is a homopolymer, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate)) or it may have different specific meanings for different monomers of the generic term (i.e., the polymer is a copolymer, e.g., poly((butyl methacrylate)-co-(methyl methacrylate)).The phrase "monomer units formed from" refers to the monomer units of the polymer formed after a monomer is reacted. For example, a C12 - C16 alkyl methacrylate monomer polymerizes to give a polymer with a unit derived from the C12 - C16 alkyl methacrylate. Likewise, a C18 - C30 alkyl methacrylate monomer polymerizes to give a polymer with a unit derived from the C18 - C30 alkyl methacrylate.At least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); is provided in step (ii) of the process according to the present invention.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the above-mentioned polymers (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”), preferably selected from the above-mentioned polymers, are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i).Thereby the cold flow properties of the bio-oil can be even more improved. More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.The at least one polymer provided in step (ii) is added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). Thereby, the cold flow properties of the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil are improved by lowering the pour point of said bio-oil.Polvfhvdrocarbyl vinyl ether)Poly(hyd rocarby I vinyl ether) polymers are preferably homopolymers, more preferably they are selected from polymers according to formula 1240881W00110formula 1 wherein R1 is preferably selected from C1 - to C40-al ky I, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR1 ' and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR1 'R1", OR1 ', COR1 ', COOR1 ', CONR1 'R1", and aryl, wherein R1 ' and R1" are each independently of one another H or C1- to C4-alkyl.Preferably, n ranges from 2 to 3000, more preferably, n ranges from 10 to 1500 and most preferably, n ranges from 25 to 500.Preferred polymers of the formula 1 have a number-average molecular weight Mn in the range from about 1000 to 20000, more preferably from about 2000 to 20000 and most preferably from about 3000 to 15000.Molecular weights are determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with HDPE (high-density polyethylene) as molecular weight standard.In the above definition of the radical R1, C1- to C40-alkyl is in particular methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, secbutyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl, pentacosyl, hexacosyl, heptacosyl, octacosyl, nonacosyl, squalyl and the higher homologues as well as the corresponding positional isomers.In the definition of R1 ' and R1 ", C1- to C4-alkyl is preferably selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, and tert-butyl.In the definition of R1, aryl is preferably C6- to C14-aryl, such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl and phenanthryl, the aryl radical being optionally substituted by one or more radicals selected from C1- to C4-alkyl, OR1 ', NR1 'R1", COOR1 ', CONR1 'R1", and aryl.R1 is preferably C1- to C40-alkyl and more preferably C8- to C24-alkyl. R1 is branched or linear, more preferably linear. Most preferably, R1 is selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl. The synthesis of poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) polymers (preferably according to formula 1) is disclosed in EP 1554365 B1 and WO 2004 / 035715 A1 and references cited therein.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2” ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1, more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.The following description applies equally to poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) and poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate), collectively referred to as poly (hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate) for the sake of conciseness.For poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate), hydrocarbyl is preferably selected from the group consisting of C1-40 alkyl, more preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR1 ' and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR1 'R1", OR1 ', COR1 ', COOR1 ', CONR1 'R1", and aryl, wherein R1 ' and R1" are each independently of one another H or C1- to C4-alkyl.More preferably, hydrocarbyl is selected from the group consisting of C1-4 alkyl, e.g., methyl or butyl, C5-9 alkyl, C 10-18 alkyl, and 019-30 alkyl, more preferably from 010-18 alkyl and 019-30 alkyl, more preferably from the group consisting of dodecyl, lauryl, tridecyl, myristyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, cetyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, stearyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, behenyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl, pentacosyl, hexacosyl, octacosyl, nonacosyl, and triacontyl, most preferably from lauryl, stearyl, and behenyl. Also, hydrocarbyl may be selected preferably from the group consisting of C10-14, C14-20, and C20-24.Poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymers may have a mass average molecular weight Mw from 5000 to 250000 g / mol, more preferably from 10000 to 150000 g / mol and most preferably from 25000 to 100000 g / mol, e.g., from 50000 to 60000 g / mol.One preferred source for (meth)acrylate esters is stearyl (meth)acrylate. Stearyl (meth)acrylate contains a mixture of (meth)acrylate esters mainly formed from (preferably linear) C16 - C18 alkyl alcohols.According to one embodiment, said poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate) is a poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) and comprises monomer units formed from:(A) 60 - 96 wt.-% of a C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate; and(B) 40 - 4 wt.-% of a C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate.Preferably component (A) is 65 to 95 wt.-% of the formed poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymer and component (B) is 35 to 5 wt.-% of the formed poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymer.The weight percentages of components (A) and (B) of the formed alkyl (meth)acrylate are calculated by taking the total weight of component (A) or (B) over the total weight of the formed poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymer multiplied by 100. The basis weight of the formed copolymer is the copolymer per se and does not include the diluent.The term “C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate” means an alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid having a straight or branched ester alkyl group of 12 to 16 carbon atoms, such as lauryl (meth)acrylate, myristyl (meth)acrylate, cetyl (meth)acrylate, dodecyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, tetradecyl (meth)acrylate, pentadecyl (meth)acrylate, hexadecyl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof.The preferred source for the C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate esters is lauryl (meth)acrylate which contains a mixture of (meth)acrylate esters formed from a mixture of (preferably linear) C12 - C16 alkyl alcohols. For example, about 60 to about 96 wt.-% lauryl (meth)acrylate esters as component (A), more preferably, about 65 to about 95 wt.-% lauryl (meth)acrylate esters as component (A) make up the formed poly(meth)acrylate copolymer.The term “C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate” means an alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid having a straight chain or branched alkyl group of 18 to 30 carbon atoms per group, such as stearyl (meth)acrylate, octadecyl (meth)acrylate, heptadecyl (meth)acrylate, nonadecyl (meth)acrylate, eicosyl (meth)acrylate, heneicosyl (meth)acrylate, docosyl (meth)acrylate, tricosyl (meth)acrylate, tetracosyl (meth)acrylate, pentacosyl (meth)acrylate, hexacosyl (meth)acrylate,octacosyl (meth)acrylate, nonacosyl (meth)acrylate, triacontyl (meth)acrylate, behenyl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof.A preferred source for the C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate esters is behenyl (meth)acrylate esters. Behenyl (meth)acry- late contains a range of long chain (meth)acrylate esters wherein the length of the ester chain ranges from C18 to C22. The behenyl (meth)acrylate is substantially linear and contains primarily C18 - C22 alkyl (meth)acrylates. Behenyl (meth)acrylate may contain a small amount of C16 alkyl.Preferably, 40 to 5 wt.-% of behenyl (meth)acrylate esters as component (B) make up the polyalkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer provided in step (ii).The at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poly (alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymers comprising monomer units formed from: (A) 60 - 96 wt.-% of a C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate; and (B) 40 - 4 wt.-% of a C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate preferably has a mass average molecular weight Mwfrom 5,000 to 250,000 g / mol, more preferably from 10,000 to 150,000 g / mol and most preferably from 25,000 to 100,000 g / mol.The molecular weight distribution preferably ranges from about 1.5 to about 2.5. The molecular weight distribution is defined as the ratio of the mass average molecular weight Mw to the number average molecular weight Mn.The mass average molecular weight Mw is preferably determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using a polymethyl (meth)acrylate standard. The determined mass average molecular weight Mw is therefore relative to the standard not absolute.Component (A) is a straight chain or branched alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid selected from the group consisting of lauryl (meth)acrylate, myristyl (meth)acrylate, cetyl (meth)acrylate, dodecyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, tetradecyl (meth)acrylate, pentadecyl (meth)acrylate, hexadecyl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof.Component (B) is a straight chain or branched alkyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid selected from the group consisting of stearyl (meth)acrylate, octadecyl (meth)acrylate, nonadecyl (meth)acrylate, eicosyl (meth)acrylate, heneicosyl (meth)acrylate, docosyl (meth)acrylate, tricosyl (meth)acrylate, tetracosyl (meth)acrylate, pentacosyl (meth)acrylate, hexacosyl (meth)acrylate, octacosyl (meth)acrylate, nonacosyl (meth)acrylate, triacontyl (meth)acrylate, and behenyl (meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof.Most preferably, component (A) is lauryl (meth)acrylate and component (B) is behenyl (meth)acrylate.Preferably, the C12 - C16 alkyl residue in monomer unit (A) is selected from dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, and hexadecyl, as well as the corresponding positional isomers; and the C18 - C30 alkyl residue in monomer unit (B) is selected from octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, tetracosyl, pentacosyl, hexacosyl, heptacosyl, octacosyl, nonacosyl, triacontyl, squalyl and the higher homologues as well as the corresponding positional isomers.C12 - C16 alkyl residues in monomer unit (A) having an even carbon number are preferred.C18 - C30 alkyl residues in monomer unit (B) having an even carbon number are preferred.The synthesis of poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) copolymers comprising monomer units formed from:(A) 60 - 96 wt.-% of a C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate; and(B) 40 - 4 wt.-% of a C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate240881W00113 is described in EP 2081970 B1 , paragraphs [0058-66],In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly (alky I (meth)acrylate) copolymer comprising monomer units formed from: (A) 60 - 96 wt.-% of a C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate; and (B) 40 - 4 wt.-% of a C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.Poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester) are obtained from vinyl carboxylic acid ester monomers derived from vinyl alcohol and carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acid is preferably selected from carboxylic acids having 2-20 carbon atoms, wherein the hydrocarbyl radical of the carboxylic acid may be linear or branched and may optionally comprise at least one C-C double bond or C-C triple bond. The carboxylic acid may be a neo-carboxylic acid, i.e. , the branching of the hydrocarbyl radical may be such that it contains a quaternary carbon atom, e.g., adjacent to the carboxylic acid group.More preferably, the carboxylic acid is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pivalic acid, caproic acid, neononanoic acid, and neodecanoic acid.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.Poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers are preferably selected from polymers according to formula 2formula 2 wherein R2 is preferably selected from C1- to C40-alkyl, more preferably from C8- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR2' and O, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR2 R2 , OR2 , COR2 , COOR2 , CONR2 R2 and aryl,240881W001 wherein R2' and R2" are each independently of one another H or C1- to C4-alkyl; and wherein R3 is preferably selected from C1- to C40-alkyl, more preferably from C8- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR3' and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR3'R3", OR3', COR3', COOR3', CONR3'R3" and aryl, wherein R3' and R3" are each independently of one another H or C1- to C4-alkyl; and wherein n stands for a mole fraction in the range from 0 to 0.6. wherein m stands for a mole fraction in the range from 1 .0 to 0.4,R2 and R3 are independently from each other preferably C1- to C40-alkyl and more preferably C8- to C24-alkyl. R2 and R3 are independently from each other branched or linear, more preferably linear. Most preferably, R2 and R3 are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl. The synthesis of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers (preferably according to formula 2) is described in WO 2004 / 035715 A1 and documents cited therein.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2” ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1, more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.Poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers are preferably selected from polymers according to formula 3formula 3 wherein R4 is preferably selected from Ci- to C^-alkyl, more preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR4 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR4'R4", 0R4', C0R4', C00R4', CONR4'R4" and aryl, , wherein R4' and R4" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl; and wherein R5 is selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR5 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR5'R5", 0R5', C0R5', C00R5', CONR5'R5" and aryl, ,wherein R5' and R5" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C4-alkyl, wherein n stands for a mole fraction in the range from 0 to 0.6, wherein m stands for a mole fraction in the range from 1.0 to 0.4,R4 and R5 are independently from each other preferably Ci- to C4o-alkyl and more preferably C8- to C24-alkyl. R4 and R5 are independently from each other branched or linear, more preferably linear. Most preferably, R4 and R5 are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl. The synthesis of poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers (preferably according to formula 3) is described in WO 2004 / 035715 A1 and documents cited therein.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.Poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester))For poly (alkylene-co-(vi nyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers, alkylene is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, C4-10 alpha-alkylenes, e.g., 1-butylene, 1-pentylene, 1-hexylene, 1-heptylene, 1-octylene, 1 -nonylene, 1 -decylene, preferably from ethylene and propylene, more preferably it is ethylene.The vinyl carboxylic acid ester co-monomer may be according to any of the embodiments described above for the monomer of poly(viny I carboxylic acid ester)), preferably it is vinyl acetate.Thus, the poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) is preferably poly(ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)). The mass fraction of vinyl acetate in said copolymer may be from 5-60 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt%, more preferably from 10 to 20 wt %; or from 10 to 50 wt%, preferably from 25 to 40 wt% or from 25 to 50 wt% or from 15 to 25 wt%.Poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers may have a mass average molecular weight Mw from 5,000 to 250,000 g / mol, more preferably from 10,000 to 150,000 g / mol and most preferably from 25,000 to 100,000 g / mol. Ethylene vinyl acetate may, for example, have a molecular weight (e.g., as determined by gel permeation chromatography) in the range from 800 to 13000 g / mol, preferably from 900 to 12000 g / mol, more preferably from 900 to 10000 g / mol.The molar ratio of the co-monomers in the copolymer may, for example, be approximately 1 :5, 1 :4, 1 :3, 1 :2, 2:3, 1 :1 , 3:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.Poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),Poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester))The following description applies equally to poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) and poly((hy- drocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), collectively referred to as poly((hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)- co-(viny I carboxylic acid ester)) for the sake of conciseness.For poly((hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), the hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate co-monomer may be according to any of the embodiments described above for the corresponding monomer of poly((hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)).The vinyl carboxylic acid ester co-monomer may be according to any of the embodiments described above for the monomer of poly(viny I carboxylic acid ester)), preferably it is vinyl acetate.Thus, the poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) is preferably poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acry- late)-co-(vinyl acetate)). The mass fraction of vinyl acetate in said copolymer may be from 5-30 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt%, more preferably from 10 to 20 wt%, more preferably from 8 to 20 wt%.Poly((hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers may have a mass average molecular weight Mw from 5,000 to 250,000 g / mol, more preferably from 10,000 to 150,000 g / mol and most preferably from 25,000 to 100,000 g / mol. Said copolymer may have, for example, a molecular weight (e.g., as determined by gel permeation chromatography) in the range from 800 to 13000 g / mol, preferably from 900 to 12000 g / mol, more preferably from 900 to 10000 g / mol, more preferably from 900 to 9300 g / mol.The molar ratio of the co-monomers in the copolymer may, for example, be approximately 1 :5, 1 :4, 1 :3, 1 :2, 2:3, 1 :1 , 3:2, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, or 5:1.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly((hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) (“polymer 1”) and at least one further polymer (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii) and then added in step (iii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1, more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate) (“polymer 1”) and at least one poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) (“polymer 1”) and at least one poly(al- kylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) (“polymer 2”) are provided in step (ii). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2” ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1, more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) (preferably according to formula 1) (“polymer 1”) is provided in step (ii) and at least one poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (preferably according to formula 2) (“polymer 2”) and / or at least one poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (preferably according to formula 3) (“polymer 3”) is / are provided in step (ii). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2”, “polymer 1” to “polymer 3”, “polymer 1” to “polymer 2” + “polymer 3” ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) (“polymer 1”) and at least one poly(al- kylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) (“polymer 2”) and at least one poly (hydrocarby I methacrylate) (“polymer 3”) are provided in step (ii). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2”, “polymer 1” to “polymer 3”, “polymer 1” to “polymer 2" + “polymer 3” ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.In another aspect of the present invention, at least one poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) (“polymer 1”) and at least one poly(al- kylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) (“polymer 2”) and at least one poly ((hydrocarby I acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) (“polymer 3”) are provided in step (ii). More preferably, the ratio of “polymer 1” to “polymer 2”, “polymer 1” to “polymer 3”, and “polymer 1” to “polymer 2” + “polymer 3”, respectively, ranges from 1 : 9 to 9 : 1 , more preferably from 2 : 8 to 8 : 2.The at least one polymer provided in step (ii) is added in step (iii) to the pyrolysis oil provided in step (i).The at least one polymer can be added to the bio-oil by pouring it into the bio-oil. Preferably, the bio-oil is agitated to enable a uniform distribution of the at least one polymer in the bio-oil.Preferably, at least two polymers are provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii) to the bio-oil.More preferably, at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers and at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from poly((hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) polymers, preferably homopolymers thereof.Most preferably, at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers according to formula 2 wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl and of poly((hydrocarbyl meth- acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers according to formula 3 wherein R4 and R5 are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl and at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) polymers, preferably homopolymers thereof, according to formula 1 wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl.Alternatively, more preferably, at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly (al- kylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers and at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) polymers and poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate) polymers.Most preferably, at least one of the at least two polymers is poly (ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)) and at least one of the at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) and poly (hydrocarbyl methacrylate) wherein hydrocarbyl is selected from the group consisting of C16-C18 alkyl, e.g., stearyl.The concentration of the at least one polymer in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil, or in case more than one polymer is provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii), the total concentration of all polymers provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii) preferably ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 3000 ppm, and most preferably from 50 to 2500 ppm, e.g., from 100 to 1500 ppm.The uniform distribution of the at least one polymer in the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil can be improved when the at least one polymer is added to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil in the form of a solution or dispersion.Optionally, the at least one polymer is provided in a diluent in step (ii). Suitable diluents are, for example, fractions obtained in petroleum processing, such as kerosene, naphtha, or bright stock. Aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and alkoxyalkanols are also suitable. In the case of middle distillates, particularly preferred diluents for diesel fuels and heating oils, naphtha, kerosene, diesel fuels, aromatic hydrocarbons, such as heavy solvent naphtha, Solvesso or Shellsol®, and mixtures of these solvents and diluents.The polymer according to the invention is preferably present in the solutions or dispersions in an amount of 0.1 to 80 wt.-%, more preferably 1 to 70 wt.-% and most preferably 20 to 60 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the solution or dispersion.The at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) can be used in a bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil for improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil. The pour point of the bio-oil is preferably lowered after addition of said at least one polymer. Thereby, the cold flow properties of the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil are improved.Optionally, at least one paraffin dispersant is added to the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i) of the process according to the present invention. Preferably, the optional at least one paraffin dispersant is preferably added to the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil in step (iii).Optionally, the (optionally polymer-modified) bio-oil or the (optionally polymer-modified) blend comprising at least one bio-oil according to the present invention further comprises at least one paraffin dispersant.Such paraffin dispersants can be added to prevent wax settling in the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil. The paraffin dispersants are thought to work by disrupting the formation of wax crystals, making the wax crystals smaller and thereby preventing the buildup of solid wax and further improving the cold flow properties of the bio-oil or blend comprising at least one bio-oil.The at least one optional paraffin dispersant is preferably selected from the group comprising polyacrylates, formaldehyde coupled phenols, and the condensation products of aliphatic fatty amines, alkylsuccinimides, phthalimides, and glutarimides with carbonyl compounds.Particularly suitable paraffin dispersants are disclosed in WO 2021 / 126342 A1.The concentration of the at least one optional paraffin dispersant or in case more than one paraffin dispersant are added to the bio-oil, the sum of all paraffin dispersants in the (optionally polymer-modified) bio-oil or the (optionally polymer-modified) blend together preferably ranges from 10 to 1500 ppmv, more preferably from 20 to 1200 ppmv and most preferably from 50 to 1000 ppmv, e.g., from 50 to 800 ppmv or from 50 to 600 ppmv.The present invention is further illustrated by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments resulting from the dependencies and back-references as indicated. In particular, it is noted that in each instance where a range of embodiments is mentioned, for example in the context of a term such as "The method of any of embodiments 1 to 3", every embodiment in this range is meant to be explicitly disclosed for the skilled person, i.e. the wording of this term is to be understood by the skilled person as being synonymous to "The method of any of embodiments 1 , 2 and 3". Further, it is explicitly noted that the following set of embodiments represents a suitably structured part of the general description directed to preferred aspects of the present invention, and thus, suitably supports, but does not represent the claims of the present invention.1 . A process for improving the cold flow properties of a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil, the process comprising the steps(i) providing a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil,(ii) providing at least one polymer, wherein the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester));preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); and(iii) adding the at least one polymer provided in step (ii) to the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i) and thereby improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or said blend.2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from poly (hydrocarbyl vinyl ether).3. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) and poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate).4. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester).5. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hy- drocarbyl vinyl ether)).6. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from poly(alkylene- co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)).7. The process according to claim 1, wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co- (vinyl carboxylic acid ester)).8. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments wherein at least two polymers are provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii).9. The process according to embodiment 8 wherein at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers and wherein at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) polymers.10. The process according to embodiment 8 wherein at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers and at least one of said at least240881W00121 two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly (hydrocarbyl acrylate) polymers and poly (hydrocarbyl methacrylate) polymers.11. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 2, and 8 to 9 wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether), preferably from poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) homopolymers, according to formula 1wherein R1 is selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NRT and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR1 'R1", 0R1 ', C0R1 ', C00R1 ', C0NR1 'R1" and aryl, wherein R1 ' and R1" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl, and wherein n preferably ranges from 2 to 3000, more preferably, n ranges from 10 to 1500 and most preferably, n ranges from 25 to 500.12. The process according to embodiment 11 wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl.13. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 3, 8, and 10, wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) and poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate), wherein hydrocarbyl is selected from the group consisting of C1-40 alkyl, preferably of C 10-18 alkyl and C19-30 alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR1 ' and O, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR1 'R1", OR1 ', COR1 ', COOR1 ', CONR1 'R1", and aryl, wherein R1 ' and R1" are each independently of one another H or C1- to C4-alkyl.14. The process according to any of embodiments 1 , 4, and 8 wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester), preferably poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester) homopolymers, wherein the carboxylic acid has 2-20 carbon atoms, preferably it is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pivalic acid, caproic acid, neononanoic acid, and neodecanoic acid.15. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 5, and 8 to 9 wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers according to formula 2240881W00122formula 2 wherein R2 is selected from Ci- to C^-alkyl, preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR2 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR2'R2", 0R2', C0R2', C00R2', CONR2'R2" and aryl, wherein R2' and R2" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl, wherein R3 is selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from C8- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR3 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR3'R3", 0R3', C0R3', C00R3', CONR3'R3" and aryl, wherein R3' and R3" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl; wherein n stands for a mole fraction in the range from 0 to 0.6 and wherein m stands for a mole fraction in the range from 1.0 to 0.4.16. The process according to embodiment 15, wherein R2 and R3 are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl.17. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 5, and 8 to 9 wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers according to formula 3formula 3 wherein R4 is selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from C8- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR4 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR4'R4", OR4', COR4', COOR4', CONR4'R4" and aryl, wherein R4' and R4" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl, wherein R5 is selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted byone or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR5 and 0, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR5'R5", OR5', COR5', COOR5', CONR5'R5" and aryl, wherein R5' and R5" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl, wherein n stands for a mole fraction in the range from 0 to 0.6 and wherein m stands for a mole fraction in the range from 1 .0 to 0.4. The process according to embodiment 17, wherein R4 and R5 are independently from each other selected from the group consisting of octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl, heneicosyl, docosyl, tricosyl, and tetracosyl. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 6, 8, and 10 wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), wherein alkylene is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, and C4-10 alpha-alkylenes, and wherein the carboxylic acid has 2-20 carbon atoms, preferably it is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pivalic acid, caproic acid, neononanoic acid, and neodecanoic acid. The process according to any of embodiments 1 and 7 wherein in step (ii) the at least one polymer is selected from poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), wherein hydrocarbyl is independently selected from Ci- to C4o-alkyl, preferably from Cs- to C24-alkyl, which is optionally interrupted by one or more groupings which are selected from CO, NR5 and O, and / or substituted by one or more radicals which are selected from NR5'R5", OR5', COR5', COOR5', CONR5'R5" and aryl, wherein R5' and R5" are each independently of one another H or Ci- to C^alkyl; and wherein the carboxylic acid independently of one another has 2-20 carbon atoms, preferably it is independently selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pivalic acid, caproic acid, neononanoic acid, and neodecanoic acid. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the concentration of the at least one polymer in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 3000 ppm and most preferably from 50 to 2500 ppm. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the total concentration of all polymers provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii) in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 3000 ppm and most preferably from 50 to 2500 ppm. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils and processing residues thereof, used cooking oil, tall oil, animal fats, and oilsobtained by thermochemical conversion of biomass as well as mixtures thereof, preferably selected from the group consisting of vegetable oil, used cooking oil, a pyrolysis bio-oil, or a hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oil, more preferably it is a used cooking oil or a pyrolysis bio-oil.24. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has a pour point in the range of -30 °C to +60 °C, preferably of -20 °C to +50 °C, more preferably of above 0 °C, more preferably of above +20 °C, e.g., of +20 °C to +45 °C.25. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has a bromine number of 2 g Br2 / 100g to 150 g Br2 / 100g, preferably of 10 g Br2 / 100g to 100 g Br2 / 100g, more preferably of 30 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g, e.g., of 40 g Br2 / 100g to 50 g Br2 / 100g (determined by ASTM 1159).26. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has an acid number of 2 mg KOH / g to 200 mg KOH / g, preferably of 5 mg KOH / g to 150 mg KOH / g, e.g., of 13 mg KOH / g to 130 mg KOH / g or of 5 mg KOH / g to 20 mg KOH / g (measured according to ASTM 664).27. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has a viscosity (measured at 40 °C according to DIN 53019) in the range of 0.5 mPas to 250 mPas, preferably of 1 mPas to 50 mPas, e.g., of 2 mPas to 37 mPas or of 30 mPas to 50 mPas.28. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has a flash point (measured according to DIN EN ISO 2719) in the range of 40 °C to 260 °C, preferably of 100 °C to 250 °C, e.g., of 150 °C to 210 °C.29. The process according to any of embodiments 1, 3, 10, and 13, wherein said poly(hydrocarbyl (meth)acrylate) is a poly(alkyl (meth)acrylate) and comprises monomer units formed from:(A) 60 - 96 wt.-% of a C12 - C16 alkyl (meth)acrylate; and(B) 40 - 4 wt.-% of a C18 - C30 alkyl (meth)acrylate.30. The process according to embodiment 29 wherein (A) is a straight chain or branched alkyl ester of methacrylic acid selected from the group consisting of lauryl methacrylate, myristyl methacrylate, cetyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, tridecyl methacrylate, tetradecyl methacrylate, pentadecyl methacrylate, hexadecyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof.31. The process according to any of embodiments 29 and 30 wherein (B) comprises about 40 to about 50 weight percent C18 alkyl methacrylate, about 5 to about 15 weight percent C20 alkyl methacrylate and about 40 toabout 50 weight percent C22 alkyl methacrylate based on the total weight of (B) in the at least one polyalkyl methacrylate copolymers provided in step (ii).32. The process according to any of embodiments 29 to 31 wherein (A) is lauryl methacrylate and (B) is behenyl methacrylate.33. The process according to any of embodiments 29 to 32 wherein said polymer has a mass average molecular weight Mwfrom 5 000 to 250 000 g / mol, more preferably from 10 000 to 150 000 g / mol and most preferably from 25 000 to 100 000 g / mol.34. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments wherein the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil further comprises at least one paraffin dispersant, wherein said paraffin dispersant is selected from the group comprising polyacrylates, formaldehyde coupled phenols, and the condensation products of aliphatic fatty amines, alkylsuccinimides, phthalimides, and glutarimides with carbonyl compounds.35. The process according to embodiment 34 wherein the concentration of the at least one paraffin dispersant in the bio-oil or blend ranges from 10 to 1500 ppmv, more preferably from 20 to 1200 ppmv and most preferably from 50 to 1000 ppmv.36. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the blend or polymer-modified blend comprises at least two bio-oils.37. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the blend or polymer-modified blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one further liquid, the at least one further liquid being selected from liquids manufactured from fossil oils such as naphtha and from liquids obtained by pyrolysis of plastic waste.38. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments wherein improving the cold flow properties means lowering the pour point.39. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %.40. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) said blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one plastic waste pyrolysis oil and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil and said at least one plastic waste pyrolysisoil in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %.41. The process according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein in step (i) said blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one liquid manufactured from fossil oil and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one fossil-derived liquid in said blend is not more than 50 %, preferably not more than 40 %, more preferably not more than 30 %, more preferably not more than 20 %, more preferably not more than 10 %, more preferably not more than 5 %.42. A process to produce a downstream product, the process comprising the steps (i), (ii), and (iii) according to any of the preceding embodiments, and further comprising the step:- converting the product obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any of the preceding embodiments or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any of the preceding embodiments to obtain a downstream product.43. The process according to embodiment 42, wherein the downstream 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 iii) 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.44. A polymer-modified bio-oil or a polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil and further comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)).45. The polymer-modified bio-oil or the polymer-modified blend according to embodiment 44, characterized by at least one of the process features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41 .46. The polymer-modified bio-oil or the polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44 to 45, characterized by at least one of the polymer features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41.47. The polymer-modified bio-oil or the polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44 to 46, characterized by at least one of the bio-oil or blend features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41 .48. The polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44-47, wherein the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %.49. The polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44-48, wherein said blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one plastic waste pyrolysis oil and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil and said at least one plastic waste pyrolysis oil in said blend is at least 50 %, preferably at least 60 %, more preferably at least 70 %, more preferably at least 80 %, more preferably at least 90 %, more preferably at least 95 %, most preferably about 100 %.The polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44-49, wherein said blend comprises at least one bio-oil and at least one liquid manufactured from fossil oil and wherein preferably the total mass fraction of said at least one fossil-derived liquid in said blend is not more than 50 %, preferably not more than 40 %, more preferably not more than 30 %, more preferably not more than 20 %, more preferably not more than 10 %, more preferably not more than 5 %. The polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44-50, wherein the concentration of the at least one polymer in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 3000 ppm and most preferably from 50 to 2500 ppm. The polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend according to any of embodiments 44-51 , wherein the total concentration of all of said polymers in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm, more preferably from 20 to 3000 ppm and most preferably from 50 to 2500 ppm. The use of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(hydrocarbyl methacrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); preferably from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), in a polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil for improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or blend.54. The use according to embodiment 53, characterized by at least one of the process features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41.55. The use according to any of embodiments 53 to 54, characterized by at least one of the polymer features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41 .56. The use according to any of embodiments 53 to 55, characterized by at least one of the bio-oil or blend features according to any of embodiments 1 to 41 .The present invention further relates to a process according to any of the preceding process embodiments 1 to 41 , wherein the content of the polymer-modified bio-oil or of the polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil in a downstream 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 polymer-modified bio-oil or of the polymer- modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil in the downstream 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 downstream 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 downstream product.The converting step to obtain the downstream 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, carbonmonoxide, carbon dioxide, 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. (Meth)acrylates 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'1, 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 nonionic, 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] totrial 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 agrochemically 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 are generated 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, Citranaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Apo-carotenoids, and any combinations thereof; organic acids, especiallyformic 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 formate, propionic acid and ammonium propionate, formic acid and propionic acid, formic acid and sodium formate and propionic acid, propionic acid and sodium propionate and formic acid and sodium formate; 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 polyvinyl pyrrolidone-poly mer or polyvi nylimid azole / polyvinyl pyrrolidone-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 sesquiterpenoids, 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 polymer(s), styrene butadiene dispersion(s), aqueous dispersion(s) comprising composite particles, acrylate alkyd hybrid dispersions), polyurethane(s) (including UV-curable polyurethanes) and polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid poly- mer(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 hybrid 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 composition(s) 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 polyol(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 detailin 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 dispersants), 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'1, 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 thereof1with 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.The invention will be further explained by the following non-limiting examples.ExamplesThe pour points of three bio-oils (“bio-oil 1” to “bio-oil 3”) were measured by the method according to ASTM D7346- 15 with a pour point analyzer MPP 5GS from ISL before and after addition of one out of four polymers or polymer mixtures (“pour point depressants”, PPDs) according to the present invention in diluents (“PPD 1” to “PPD 4”), each in two different concentrations.Bio-oil 1 used cooking oilBio-oil 2 used cooking oilBio-oil 3 used cooking oilPPD 1 : poly (hydrocarby I methacrylate) copolymer comprising monomer units formed from: (A) = lauryl methacrylate and (B) = behenyl methacrylate, wherein the weight ratio (A) : (B) is about 70 : 30PPD 2: poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) copolymer according to formula 2 with R2 = C18 alkyl and R3 = C12 alkylPPD 3: mixture of PPD 2 and poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether) according to formula 1 with R1 = C18 alkylPPD 4: mixture of poly(ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)) and poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate) wherein hydrocarbyl is C16-18 alkyl, i.e., stearyl The results of this study are summarized in the following table:The data set shows that overall a significant pour point depression of bio-oils may be achieved by adding polymers according to the invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A process for improving the cold flow properties of a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil, the process comprising the steps(i) providing a bio-oil or a blend comprising at least one bio-oil, wherein said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processing residues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %;(ii) providing at least one polymer, wherein the at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); and(iii) adding the at least one polymer provided in step (ii) to the bio-oil or to the blend comprising at least one bio-oil provided in step (i) and thereby improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or said blend.

2. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil has a pour point (determined by ASTM D7346-15) in the range of -30 °C to +60 °C and / or a bromine number of 2 g Br2 / 100g to 150 g Br2 / 100g (determined by ASTM 1159) and / or an acid number of 2 mg KOH / g to 200 mg KOH / g and / or an acid number of 2 mg KOH / g to 200 mg KOH / g (measured according to ASTM 664) and / or a viscosity (measured at 40 °C according to DIN 53019) in the range of 0.5 mPas to 250 mPas and / or a flash point (measured according to DIN EN ISO 2719) in the range of 40 °C to 260 °C.

3. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in step (i) said blend comprises at least one first bio-oil and at least one further liquid, the at least one further liquid being selected from liquids manufactured from fossil oils such as naphtha, from liquids obtained by pyrolysis of plastic waste, and from bio-oils other than said first bio-oil.

4. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in step (ii) said at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)), and- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)).

5. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least two polymers are provided in step (ii) and added in step (iii) and wherein at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarbyl acry- late)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers and poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)) copolymers, and at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from poly (hydrocarbyl vinyl ether); or wherein at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) copolymers and at least one of said at least two polymers is selected from the group consisting of poly(hydrocarby I acrylate) polymers.

6. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in step (ii) at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of- poly(C16-20 alkyl vinyl ether),- poly(C14-20 alkyl acrylate),- poly(C10-14 alkyl acrylate)-co-(C 16-20 alkyl vinyl ether),- poly(ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)), and- mixtures thereof.

7. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the concentration of the at least one polymer in the polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend ranges from 10 to 3500 ppm.

8. The process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in step (i) the bio-oil or the blend comprising at least one bio-oil further comprises at least one paraffin dispersant, wherein said paraffin dispersant is selected from the group comprising polyacrylates, formaldehyde coupled phenols, and the condensation products of aliphatic fatty amines, alkylsuccinimides, phthalimides, and glutarimides with carbonyl compounds.

9. The process according to claim 8, wherein the concentration of the at least one paraffin dispersant in the bio-oil or the blend ranges from 10 to 1500 ppmv.

10. A polymer-modified bio-oil or a polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil and further comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)); wherein said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processing residues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %.

11. The use of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of- poly(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether),- poly(hydrocarbyl acrylate),- poly(vinyl carboxylic acid ester),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(hydrocarbyl vinyl ether)),- poly(alkylene-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)),- poly((hydrocarbyl acrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)), and- poly((hydrocarbyl methacrylate)-co-(vinyl carboxylic acid ester)) in a polymer-modified bio-oil or polymer-modified blend comprising at least one bio-oil for improving the cold flow properties of said bio-oil or blend; wherein said bio-oil is selected from the group consisting of vegetable oils, vegetable oil processing residues, used cooking oils, tall oils, animal fats, pyrolysis bio-oils, and hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils; and wherein the total mass fraction of said at least one bio-oil in said blend is at least 50 %.

12. The process and the use, respectively, according to any of claims 1 to 9 and 11 wherein improving the cold flow properties means lowering the pour point.

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