JP2024507060A - Biodegradable multi-component polymer fiber - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to biodegradable multicomponent polymeric fibers, especially bicomponent fibers, with advantageous physical properties, to processes for their production, and to their uses.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to biodegradable polymeric fibers with advantageous physical properties, to methods for their production, and to their uses.

Polymer fibers, ie fibers based on synthetic polymers, are produced industrially on a large scale. In this regard, melt spinning techniques are used to process the base synthetic polymer. For this purpose, the thermoplastic polymer material is melted and fed in liquid state to the spinning beam by means of an extruder. From this spinning beam, the molten material is fed into a so-called spinneret. A spinneret typically includes a spinneret plate with a plurality of holes through which individual capillaries (filaments) of fiber are extruded. In addition to melt-spinning methods, wet-spinning or solvent-spinning methods are also used to produce spun fibers. Here, instead of a melt, a highly viscous solution of synthetic polymer is forced through a die with fine holes. When the same polymer melt stream is introduced into a number of individual spinnerets simultaneously and in parallel, those skilled in the art refer to this as a multiple spinning process.

Polymer fibers produced in this way are used for textile and/or technical applications. In these applications, it is advantageous for the polymer fibers to have high mechanical strength, so that further processing of the fibers, for example by drawing in a rolling mill, can be carried out without problems. It is also advantageous for polymer fibers to have low thermal shrinkage, especially when in nonwoven form.

Modification or equipping of the polymer fibers for the respective end use or for necessary intermediate processing steps, such as drawing and/or crimping, is usually applied to the surface of the polymer fibers made or treated. This is done by applying a suitable softener or finishing glue.

A further modification possibility is the chemical modification of the polymer backbone itself, for example by incorporating flame-retardant comonomers into the main chain and/or side chains of the polymer.

Additionally, additives, such as antistatic agents or colored pigments, may be introduced into the molten thermoplastic polymer or into the polymer fiber during the multiple spinning process.

Recently, there has been a rapid increase in the development of fiber systems that, on the one hand, not only meet the above requirements but also exhibit good biodegradability, and on the other hand, require little or no modification so that existing processes and equipment can still be used. are doing.

Nowadays, on the one hand, it not only meets the above requirements, but it can also be produced preferably from at least partially sustainable raw materials, and on the other hand, it requires little or no modification and therefore still uses existing processes and equipment. The development of fiber systems that can do this is rapidly increasing.

For biodegradable fibers, the relationship between the maximum service life of the product and the expected period of biodegradation is often uncertain due to the chronological order of the degradation process, which is influenced by various factors. Enough and not enough control.

Therefore, there is a need to provide polymeric fibers whose biodegradability can be tailored to the intended end use and also compatible with the post-processing of existing fibers.

The invention makes it possible to control the degradation behavior of the fibers by using two components that behave differently from each other with respect to degradation.

The above needs are met by the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the present invention, wherein the polymer fibers are
(i) comprising at least one component A and at least one component B;
(ii) component A comprises thermoplastic polymer A;
(iii) component B comprises thermoplastic polymer B;
(iv) component A further comprises at least one additive A that increases the biodegradability of the multicomponent fiber, and component B does not have additive B that increases the biodegradability of the multicomponent fiber; Or
(v) component B further comprises at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of the multicomponent fiber, and component A does not have additive A that increases the biodegradability of the multicomponent fiber; Or
(vi) component A further comprises at least one additive A, and component B further comprises at least one additive B, which together improve the biodegradability of the multicomponent fiber. (i) if thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are the same, then additive A and additive B are different, or (ii) if additive A and additive B are the same, Thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are characterized in that they are different.

In the context of the present invention, increasing the biodegradability of a multicomponent fiber means that this multicomponent fiber is degraded more quickly compared to a multicomponent fiber that does not contain additive A and/or additive B. (i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (Standard for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures) Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures (DOI: 10.1520/D5338-15R21) ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 2015, www.astm (ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities) (DOI: 10.1520/D6400-12), (iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions) Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-11) and ASTM D5511-18 Standard Test Method for Determining Biodegradation; (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18)), (iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09) Evaluation of plastic materials in the marine environment by defined microbial consortia or natural seawater inoculation. Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09) and (v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92), (vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Outdoor Terrestrial Environment) (vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12) Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988-18 Plastic Materials in Soil Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials in Soil After Composting Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)), (viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging ; German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10.31030/9010637), (ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83 .080.01) Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions (by analysis of carbon dioxide evolved) (Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide)), (x) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or (xi) The method is carried out according to at least one method selected from the group of ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01).

(Staple fibers) When processed using a spinning process, the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention are usually deposited as tows and subsequently worked up after being drawn in a rolling mill using conventional methods. Furthermore, it is also possible to process the tow directly, so that the so-called accumulation of tow inside the can can be completely or partially omitted.

When processed using a (filament) spinning process, the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention can be cooled immediately after exiting the spinneret, drawn and deposited on a focusing belt or wound onto a bobbin. can. Furthermore, the filaments can be further processed by drawing, in particular with a draw ratio between 0.5 and 3, to enhance the orientation of the molecular chains. Furthermore, it is possible to texture the filaments.

The different biodegradability combinations for component A and component B mean that the biodegradability of the products obtained from these multicomponent polymer fibers can be designed and customized.

Textile fabrics, such as non-woven fabrics, can be produced from the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention. When textile fabrics, especially non-woven fabrics, are consolidated using thermal bonding, it is advantageous that the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A is at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B. . In this embodiment, the multicomponent polymer fiber is preferably a bicomponent fiber, with component A forming the core and component B forming the shell. Particularly preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A is at least 10° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B.

During heat fusing, the fibers are joined together at contact points or intersections. If component B, formed from thermoplastic polymer B and additive B, has a higher biodegradability than component A, formed from thermoplastic polymer A and additive A, then the fiber contact points or intersections are Textile fabrics, such as nonwovens, disintegrate more quickly, resulting in increased overall degradability.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide a multicomponent fiber comprising a very rapidly biodegradable component A and at least one further component B, where component B has a lower biodegradation rate than component A. The ability to achieve a gradual biodegradation of the fibers in this way provides technical advantages, such as warning of mechanical failures and a relatively high residual stability of the biodegraded fibers.

In addition to core/shell structures in which the core may be concentric with the shell or eccentric with respect to the shell, further possible arrangements of the components in multicomponent fibers include side-by-side structures, matrix-fibril structures, and a slice-of-cake structure or an orange-slice structure.

Furthermore, a very rapidly biodegradable core (component A) made from thermoplastic polymer A and optionally additive A, and an equally biodegradable shell made from thermoplastic polymer B and additive B. (component B), it is possible to provide multicomponent polymer fibers, in particular bicomponent polymer fibers, in which component A is biodegraded only if component B is already biodegraded. This is intended to accelerate the decomposition that begins as soon as component B is decomposed to a sufficient extent.

Therefore, in a further aspect, the invention provides:
(i) component A forms the core of the fiber and component B forms the shell of the fiber;
(ii) component A in the core comprises thermoplastic polymer A;
(iii) component B comprises thermoplastic polymer B;
(iv) a bicarbonate having a core/shell structure in which the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A in the core is at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B in the shell, preferably the melting point is at least 10° C. higher; A component fiber,
(v) component A has a higher biodegradability than component B; preferably component A has at least one additive A; or
(vi) providing bicomponent fibers, characterized in that component B has a higher biodegradability than component A; preferably component B comprises at least one additive B;

Higher biodegradability is
(i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures (DOI: 10.1520/D5338 -15R21) ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 2015, www.astm.org),
(ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Standard Specification for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities) (DOI: 10.1520/D6400-12);
(iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-11) and ASTM D5511-18 Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions; (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18))
(iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Specified Microbial Consortia or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09); ASTM D6691-17, Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-17));
(v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Decomposition in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92),
(vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in outdoor terrestrial environments - Standard), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31,
(vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988-18 Determination of Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 For Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting standard test method (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)),
(viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test schemes and evaluation criteria for final delivery of packaging; German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10. 31030/9010637),
(ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83.080.01) Preferability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions Determination of ultimate biodegradability (by analysis of generated carbon dioxide),
(x) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or
(xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Standard for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01);
determined according to at least one method selected from the group formed by:

The bicomponent fibers according to the invention can therefore be adapted to any intended purpose and to any environment.

Since component A has a higher biodegradability than component B, first the shell component B, which protects it from biodegradability, is biodegraded, and after this, component A is degraded. Thus, it is possible to use materials as component A that have such high biodegradability that they cannot normally be manipulated. This is because their high biodegradability means that they are considered unstable or unsuitable. The protective shell may also have a retarding effect, ie the shell at least slows down the biodegradation initially, with rapid biodegradation occurring after a certain time or period of use.

Thus, for example, textile fabrics in which component A has high biodegradability according to ASTM D5338-15 or ASTM D6400 or ASTM D5988, but which have one bicomponent fiber according to the invention which is initially protected by a shell, can be used in agriculture. can be used. Textile fabrics of this type can be disposed of by controlled composting after their intended use.

A further advantage of the invention is that, on the one hand, a textile fabric with bicomponent fibers according to the invention can be provided which can be used as intended, for example in agriculture, but which can be used in rivers if the disposal is inappropriate. may reach the ocean via For this reason, it is advantageous to use component A, which has a high biodegradability according to ASTM D6691. Controlled biodegradability is ensured, for example in marine environments, since the protective shell is usually broken or damaged by improper disposal.

Since component B has a higher biodegradability than component A, shell component B is degraded first, resulting in faster disintegration of the textile fabric with bicomponent fibers according to the invention. In this way, for example, after their intended use, the sanitary products can be composted in a controlled manner in domestic waste or in a sewage treatment plant.

The ability to achieve stepwise biodegradation thus provides technical advantages, such as mechanical failure signaling and relatively high residual stability of the fibers as biodegradation progresses.

The bicomponent fibers according to the invention may be finite-length fibers, for example so-called staple fibers, or they may be continuous fibers (filaments). There is no critical limit to the length of the staple fibers mentioned above, but as a rule they are between 2 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 120 mm, particularly preferably between 4 mm and 60 mm.

The individual linear density of the bicomponent fibers, preferably staple fibers, according to the invention is preferably between 0.5 dtex and 30 dtex, in particular between 0.7 dtex and 13 dtex. For some applications, a linear density between 0.5 and 3 dtex and a fiber length of less than 10 mm, especially less than 8 mm, particularly preferably less than 6 mm, particularly preferably less than 5 mm are particularly suitable.

The proportion of the cross-sectional area of the core to the total cross-sectional area of the fibers is between 20% and 90%, and the proportion of the cross-sectional area of the shell to the total cross-sectional area of the fibers is between 80% and 10%.

The ratio of the cross-sectional areas of component A and component B can also contribute to fine-tuning the biodegradable behavior of the fiber.

Particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers are those in which additive A and/or additive B contains (i) a basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compound (dissolved in water at pH>7), especially carbonate, bicarbonate; , sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, (iv) especially basic conditions. The catalyst for transesterification under (v) is selected from the group of carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers are those in which the thermoplastic polymer A and/or the thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyester, and the additive A and/or the additive B comprises (i) a basic alkali and/or an alkaline earth. (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) (iv) catalysts for transesterification, especially under basic conditions; (v) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or cellulose; and mixtures thereof. It is something that The aliphatic polyesters mentioned above are distinguished from the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B in terms of their chemical properties, i.e. the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different from the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B. It is an aromatic aliphatic polyester or copolyester produced by polycondensation from aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters).

Particularly preferred additives A and/or additives B contain at least two substances, where preferred combinations include:
A) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO. , especially in combination with catalysts for transesterification under basic conditions,
B) combinations of sugars, in particular mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, with carbohydrates, in particular starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;
C) combinations of aliphatic polyesters and optionally sugars, especially mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starches and/or celluloses, and mixtures thereof;
It is.

Most preferred additives A for partially aromatic "araliphatic" polyesters or copolyesters as thermoplastic polymer A include at least:
Preferably with basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO. especially in combination with catalysts for transesterification under basic conditions, as well as
an aliphatic polyester, especially an aliphatic polyester without side chain carbon atoms, and optionally (i) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch, and/or (iii) cellulose. , and combinations with mixtures thereof,
Contains.

Among the particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers mentioned above, those in which thermoplastic polymer A is a polyester and thermoplastic polymer B is a polyester different from the polyester in polymer A, preferably a copolyester, are preferred, and additive A and additive B are each independently,
Preferably with basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO. especially in combination with catalysts for transesterification under basic conditions, as well as
an aliphatic polyester, especially an aliphatic polyester without side chain carbon atoms, and optionally (i) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch, and/or (iii) cellulose. , and combinations with mixtures thereof,
selected from a combination of

Particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers are those in which the thermoplastic polymer B is a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene polymer, which contains as additive B at least (i) a metal compound, in particular a transition metal compound, and a salt thereof, preferably at least two and (ii) a combination of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride/ester/amide thereof, preferably with synthetic and/or natural rubber, and optionally (iii) a sugar. , especially mono-, di- and oligosaccharides; (iv) carbohydrates, especially starch; and/or (v) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, stabilizers of phenolic antioxidants and CaO may be present.

The biodegradability can be fine-tuned by the amount of additive A in component A and additive B in component B. The amount of additives is usually between 0.005% and 20% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.01% and 5% by weight, based on the total amount of component A or component B.

Among the abovementioned additives, in particular (i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH > 7), in particular carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ ; (ii) sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, and (iii) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or celluloses, and mixtures thereof, and combinations A), B) or C) of the above are suitable. There is. This is because their degradability according to ASTM D6691 or according to ASTM D5338-15, ASTM D6400 or ASTM D5988 can be specifically adjusted.

Thermoplastic Polymers The polymers used according to the invention are thermoplastic polymers.

The term "thermoplastic polymer" as used in the present invention means a synthetic material (thermoplastic) that can be deformed in a certain temperature range, preferably in the range from 25°C to 350°C. This procedure is reversible, i.e. thermoplastic polymers can be processed many times by repeated cooling and heating or by shaping the material under mechanical loads, as long as the material is not excessively damaged by overheating, which causes so-called thermal decomposition. However, it can be made viscous. This is the difference between thermoplastic polymers and thermosets and elastomers.

The thermoplastic polymers used according to the invention are preferably acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-(diene)-styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile-methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate copolymers, chlorinated acrylonitriles, polyethylene-styrene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene - Styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer, cellulose acetobutyrate, cellulose acetopropionate, hydrated cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose triacetate, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-acrylic acid Copolymers, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymers, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylate copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers, ethylene-butene copolymers , ethyl cellulose, polystyrene, polyfluoroethylene-propylene, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methyl cellulose, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 46, polyamide 6, polyamide 6-3-T, polyamide 6-terephthalic acid copolymer, polyamide 66, polyamide 69, polyamide 610, polyamide 612, polyamide 6I, polyamide MXD6, polyamide PDA-T, polyamide, polyarylether, polyaryletherketone, polyamideimide, polyarylamide, polyamino-bis - Maleimide, polyarylate, polybutene-1, polybutyl acrylate, polybenzimidazole, poly-bis-maleimide, polyoxadiazobenzimidazole, polybutyl terephthalate, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyester carbonate, polyaryl ether Ketone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polyethylene oxide, polyarylethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polyisobutylene, polyisocyanurate, polyimide sulfone, polymethacrylimide, polymethacrylate, poly-4-methyl Pentene, polyacetal, polypropylene, polyphenyl oxide, polypropylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene sulfone, polystyrene, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyfluoride Vinylidene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride-butadiene copolymer, styrene methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-methylstyrene copolymer, Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymer, vinyl chloride-methacrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-maleic anhydride copolymer, vinyl chloride-maleimide copolymer, vinyl chloride-methyl methacrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-octyl acrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymers.

Among the thermoplastic polymers, melt-spun synthetic biopolymers are preferred, particularly preferred are polycondensates and polymers prepared from bio-based starting materials.

The term "synthetic biopolymer" as used in the present invention refers to a material consisting primarily of raw materials of biological origin (sustainable raw materials). This allows synthetic biopolymers to replace traditional mineral oil-based materials such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), unless the raw material is renewable (e.g. bio-PE/green PE). Distinguished from substances or plastics.

In a preferred embodiment, the multicomponent fibers according to the invention are made from synthetic biopolymers that are biodegradable, where the term "biodegradable" refers to, for example: (i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (Plastic Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures (DOI: 10.1520/D5338-15R21) ASTM International, West Consho, Pennsylvania. Hocken, 2015, www.astm.org), (ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Standard Specification for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities) (DOI: 10. 1520/D6400-12), (iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511- (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18)), (iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09) and ASTM D6691-17, (v) ASTM D5210-92 (Sewage Anaerobic decomposition in the presence of sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92), (vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in outdoor terrestrial environments - Standard), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6 ;2021-10-31, (vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988- 18 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials in Soil after Composting (viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Packaging German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10.31030/9010637), (ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83.080.01) Determination of the aerobic ultimate biodegradability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions (method by analysis of carbon dioxide evolved), (x ) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or (xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Standard for compostable plastics) (ICS 83. 080.01) may be identified, tested and/or determined according to at least one method selected from the group formed by

Preferred synthetic biopolymers in the context of the present invention are aliphatic, araliphatic polyesters prepared by polycondensation from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters). or a copolyester, where the polyol may be substituted or unsubstituted, and the polyol may be a linear polyol or a branched polyol.

Preferred polyols are polyols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, polyalkylene ether glycols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic diols containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of polyols that can be used include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1,3 -Propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane Diols include thiodiethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, triethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol. Preferred polyols include 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, diethylene glycol, isosorbitol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Preferred aliphatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Substituted linear or branched non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids may be mentioned, where the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids may contain heteroatoms in the ring.

Substituted non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids typically contain 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, and C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids include maleic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, fumaric acid, 2,2-dimethylglutaric acid, suberin. acid, 1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, and 2,5-norbornanedicarboxylic acid.

Preferred aromatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, where these carboxylic acids The acid may contain heteroatoms within the aromatic ring and/or within substituents.

Substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids may typically contain from 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, and C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aromatic dicarboxylic acids include phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and furandicarboxylic acid.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acids mentioned above may also be in the form of copolymers or terpolymers together with the aromatic dicarboxylic acids mentioned above, non-limiting examples include polybutylene-adipate-terephthalate and bio-based PTA. be.

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers in the context of the present invention are aliphatic polyesters with repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, such as polyhydroxyvalerates and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers; polycaprolactone, furandicarboxylic acid, and succinate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate. Specific examples include polyethylene oxalate, polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate, and compounds of these. It can be selected from blends and copolymers.

In particular, preferred synthetic biopolymers are aliphatic polyesters containing repeating units of lactic acid (PLA), hydroxy fatty acids (PHF) (also designated polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)), especially hydroxybutanoic acid (PHB), and Succinate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate.

By "aliphatic polyester" is meant a polyester having typically at least about 50 mol%, preferably at least about 60 mol%, particularly preferably at least about 70 mol%, particularly preferably at least 95 mol% of aliphatic monomers. should be understood.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, heat having a glass transition temperature of more than -125°C, advantageously more than -30°C, preferably more than 30°C, particularly preferably more than 50°C, especially more than 70°C Plastic polymers are highly preferred. In the context of a more particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is within the range -125°C to 200°C, in particular within the range -125°C to 100°C.

Among thermoplastic synthetic biopolymers, the glass transition temperature is preferably above 20°C, advantageously above 25°C, preferably above 30°C, particularly preferably above 35°C, especially above 40°C. In the context of a more particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is in the range from 35°C to 55°C, in particular in the range from 40°C to 50°C.

Particularly preferred polyesters are PET with a glass transition temperature of at least 70°C, PLA with a glass transition temperature in the range of 40°C to 70°C, and PHA with a glass transition temperature in the range of -40°C to -62°C. and PHB, and PBS copolymers such as PBS and PBSA with a glass transition temperature within the range of -45°C to 45°C, and polycaprolactone with a glass transition temperature within the range of -75°C to 45°C.

Polyesters, especially polyethylene terephthalate, usually have a molecular weight corresponding to an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.4 (dl/g) to 1.4 (dl/g), measured at 25° C. in solution in dichloroacetic acid. .

Particularly preferred polyesters are PET, PEN, PLA, PBS, PEIT, etc. with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20 000 g/mol determined by gel permeation chromatography or by end group titration against polystyrene standards, preferably with narrow distribution. Polyester. Even better, the polydispersity of these polymers is at least 1.7.

Polyesters of particular interest are those having a melting point between 250°C and 260°C, such as PET.

Polyesters of particular interest are polyesters such as PET that have an enthalpy of melting of (80%: 43 J/g; 100% crystalline/theoretical): 115 J/g.

Polyesters of particular interest are polyesters such as PET that have a crystallization temperature of at least 125°C and an enthalpy of crystallization (125°C) of at least 31 J/g.

Polyesters of particular interest are those commercially available from Trevira GmbH, such as Trevira™ T298.

Particularly preferred polyamides have glass transition temperatures in the range 30°C to 80°C, especially in the range 35°C to 65°C, particularly preferably in the range 50°C to 60°C, where these values are , in particular towards PA6.6 and PA6.

Polyamides of particular interest are preferably polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6 having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10000 g/mol determined by gel permeation chromatography or by end group titration against polystyrene standards with narrow distribution. It is polyamide.

Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6 having a melting point between 170°C and 280°C, more preferably between 200°C and 260°C. Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6, which have a crystalline melting enthalpy (100% crystalline) of 190°C.

Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6, which have a softening temperature of 204°C.

Of particular interest are commercially available polyamides such as nylon, perlon, or grillon.

Polyolefins of particular interest are polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) homopolymers or polypropylene (PP) homopolymers, and copolymers or terpolymers containing at least 50 mol % ethylene repeat units and/or propylene repeat units.

Polyethylenes of particular interest include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), very low density polyethylene (ULDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), polymethyl These are pentene (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), ethylene-octene copolymer, stereoblock PP, olefin block copolymer, and propylene-butane copolymer.

Particularly preferred polyolefins are PE with a glass transition temperature in the range -100°C to -35°C and PP with a glass transition temperature in the range -10°C to -5°C.

Polyethylenes of particular interest are polyethylene with a melting point between 120°C and 135°C, and polypropylene with a melting point between 158°C and 170°C.

Polyethylenes of particular interest are polyethylene, which has an enthalpy of crystal fusion (100% crystalline) of 290 J/g, and polypropylene, which has an enthalpy of crystal fusion of 190 J/g.

Of particular interest are commercially available polyolefins such as LDPE (PE Aspun 6834, Dow), HDPE (MK 910 from SKGC), PP (Braskem) such as HSP165G from Braskem.

Further suitable polymers are polymers with a melting temperature above 50°C, advantageously at least 75°C, preferably above 150°C. Particularly preferably, the melting temperature is in the range 120°C to 285°C, especially in the range 150°C to 270°C, particularly preferably in the range 175°C to 270°C.

In this regard, the glass transition temperature and melting temperature of the polymer are preferably determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers according to the invention are so-called biopolymers containing repeating units of lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, succinic acid, glycolic acid and/or furandicarboxylic acid, preferably lactic acid and/or glycolic acid, especially lactic acid. It is a thermoplastic polycondensate based on In this regard, polylactic acid is particularly preferred.

In the present invention, polyesteramide, modified polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid (PLA), terpolymer based on polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyalkylene furanoate such as PEF, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonate (polyethylene carbonate, etc.), A wide range of high melting point synthetic biopolymers such as polyesters such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), or polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers (PHBV) (melting point between 110°C and 270°C, preferably between 140°C and 270°C, more preferably between 180°C and 270°C).

The term "polylactic acid" (PLA) is to be understood herein to mean a polymer composed of lactic acid units. Such polylactic acid is usually produced by condensation of lactic acid, but can also be obtained by ring-opening polymerization of lactide under appropriate conditions.

Particularly suitable polylactic acids according to the invention include poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), poly(L-lactide-co- glycolide), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(dioxanone). By way of example, polymers of this type are available from Boehining Ingelheim Pharma KG (Federal Republic of Germany) as Resomer® GL 903, Resomer® L 206 S, Resomer® L 207 S, Resomer® L 209 S, Resomer(TM) L 210, Resomer(TM) L 210 S, Resomer(TM) LC 703 S, Resomer(TM) LG 824 S, Resomer(TM) LG 855 S, Resomer(TM) LG 857 S, Resomer(TM) ) LR 704 S, Resomer(TM) LR 706 S, Resomer(TM) LR 708, Resomer(TM) LR 927 S, Resomer(TM) RG 509 S, and Resomer(TM) X 206 S trade names, Biomer, Inc. (Federal Republic of Germany) under the trade name Biomer(TM) L9000. Other suitable polylactic acid polymers are commercially available from Natureworks, LLC (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Particularly advantageous polylactic acids for the purposes of the invention are in particular poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L-lactic acid.

The expression "polylactic acid" generally refers to homopolymers of lactic acid such as poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic acid), mixtures thereof, and those containing lactic acid as the main component and containing a small proportion , preferably less than 10 mol % of copolymerizable comonomers.

Further suitable materials are polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (such as polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerates (PHV), and polyhydroxy It is a copolymer or terpolymer based on butyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the biopolymer is a thermoplastic polycondensate based exclusively on lactic acid.

The polylactic acid used according to the invention preferably has a number average molecular weight ( Mn). On the other hand, the number average is preferably at most 1,000,000 g/mol, suitably at most 500,000 g/mol, advantageously at most 100,000 g/mol, in particular at most 50,000 g/mol. A number average molecular weight in the range from at least 10 000 g/mol to 500 000 g/mol has proven to be particularly advantageous in the context of the present invention.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of preferred lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, or poly-D,L-lactic acid, is preferably within the range of 750 g/mol to 5,000,000 g/mol, preferably 5000 g /mol to 1000000 g/mol, particularly preferably in the range 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, in particular in the range 30000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, and the polydispersity of these polymers is in the range 1.5. ~5 is advantageous.

The intrinsic viscosity of particularly suitable lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L-lactic acid, measured in chloroform at 25° C. and a polymer concentration of 0.1% is: It is within the range of 0.5 dl/g to 8.0 dl/g, preferably within the range of 0.8 dl/g to 7.0 dl/g, especially within the range of 1.5 dl/g to 3.2 dl/g.

Furthermore, particularly suitable lactic acid polymers, in particular poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L - The intrinsic viscosity of lactic acid is in the range 1.0 dl/g to 2.6 dl/g, in particular in the range 1.3 dl/g to 2.3 dl/g.

Of particular interest are polylactic acids having a glass transition temperature between 50°C and 65°C.

Of particular interest are polylactic acids with melting points between 155°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest are commercially available polylactic acids such as PLA 6202D from NatureWorks.

The term "polyhydroxy fatty acid ester" (PHF) used in the context of the present invention preferably refers to the following polymers: poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (PHP), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) ( PHB, P3HB), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHHx), poly(3-hydroxyheptanoate) (PHH), poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) ate) (PHO), poly(3-hydroxynonanoate) (PHN), poly(3-hydroxydecanoate) (PHD), poly(3-hydroxyundecanoate) (PHUD), poly(3-hydroxydodecanoate) (PHUD), (PHDD), poly(3-hydroxytetradecanoate) (PHTD), poly(3-hydroxypentadecanoate) (PHPD), poly(3-hydroxyhexadecanoate) (PHHxD), and It should be understood as meaning a blend of the above-mentioned polymers. In addition to the homopolymers mentioned above, poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co-3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP-3HB), poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP -4HB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-4HB)), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBV-HHx) and blends of the above-mentioned copolymers with the above-mentioned homopolymers. Can be used together or together.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, for example Mirel, Biomer P 209, Biopol, Aonilex X, Proganic.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a glass transition temperature in the range -2°C to 62°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting temperature within the range of 100°C to 177°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melt flow index of 5 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011 ( MFI).

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has at least 200 000 Daltons, especially at least 220 000 Daltons, particularly preferably at least 250 000 Daltons, up to 3 million Daltons, especially up to 2500 000 Daltons, particularly preferably up to 2 million Daltons. It has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymers used according to the invention usually have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about twice, preferably three times the number average molecular weight (Mn).

（式中、Ｒ_１、Ｒ_２、Ｒ_３、Ｒ_４は、２個～２０個の炭素原子からなる直鎖状又は分岐鎖状の脂肪族炭化水素残基を表す）を有するポリマーを意味すると理解されるべきである。 The term "succinate-based aliphatic polymer" refers to the following general formula:

(wherein R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , and R ₄ represent linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon residues consisting of 2 to 20 carbon atoms) should be understood.

Examples in this regard are polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate.

The thermoplastic succinate-based aliphatic polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, eg Bionolle 1000, BioPBS.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a glass transition temperature within the range -45°C to 45°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a crystallization temperature in the range from 70°C to 90°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting temperature in the range from 60°C to 180°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melt flow index (MFI) of 5 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011. has.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a number of at least 20,000 Daltons, especially at least 30,000 Daltons, particularly preferably at least 35,000 Daltons, up to 140,000 Daltons, especially up to 120,000 Daltons, particularly preferably up to 110,000 Daltons. It has an average molecular weight (Mn).

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about twice, preferably three times the number average molecular weight (Mn).

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic biopolymer within the meaning of the present invention.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with glass transition temperatures between -45°C and 45°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with crystallization temperatures between 70°C and 90°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with melting points between 60°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with enthalpies of fusion between 70 J/g and 145 J/g.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20,000 Daltons to 140,000 Daltons, determined by gel permeation chromatography or by end-group titration against polystyrene standards, preferably having a narrow distribution.

Of particular interest are commercially available polycaprolactones such as Resomer C 209.

Thermoplastic polymer A
Thermoplastic polymer A is selected from the above-mentioned group of thermoplastic polymers.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, melt-spun synthetic biopolymers are preferred, particularly preferred are polycondensates and polymers prepared from bio-based starting materials. The synthetic biopolymer is selected from the above-mentioned group of synthetic biopolymers.

Preferred synthetic biopolymers are aliphatic, araliphatic polyesters or copolyesters prepared by polycondensation from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters). , where the polyol may be a substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched polyol.

Preferred polyols are polyols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, polyalkylene ether glycols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and cycloaliphatic diols containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of polyols that can be used include ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-1,3 -Propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,6-hexane Diols include thiodiethanol, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, triethylene glycol and tetraethylene glycol. Preferred polyols include 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol, diethylene glycol, isosorbitol, and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Preferred aliphatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Substituted linear or branched non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids may be mentioned, where the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids may contain heteroatoms in the ring.

Substituted non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids typically contain 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, and C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids include maleic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, fumaric acid, 2,2-dimethylglutaric acid, suberin. acid, 1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, and 2,5-norbornanedicarboxylic acid.

Preferred aromatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, where these carboxylic acids The acid may contain heteroatoms within the aromatic ring and/or within substituents.

Substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids may typically contain from 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, and C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aromatic dicarboxylic acids include phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and furandicarboxylic acid.

The aliphatic dicarboxylic acids mentioned above may also be in the form of copolymers or terpolymers together with the aromatic dicarboxylic acids mentioned above, non-limiting examples include polybutylene-adipate-terephthalate and bio-based PTA. It is.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, preferred melt-spun synthetic biopolymers are aliphatic polyesters having repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, such as polyhydroxyvalerate and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers. polyhydroxyalkanoates, polycaprolactone, furandicarboxylic acid, and succinate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate. Specific examples include polyethylene oxalate, polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate, and compounds of these. It can be selected from blends and copolymers.

In particular, preferred synthetic biopolymers are aliphatic polyesters containing repeating units of lactic acid (PLA), hydroxy fatty acids (PHF) (also known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)), especially hydroxybutanoic acid (PHB), and Succinate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate.

By "aliphatic polyester" is meant a polyester having typically at least about 50 mol%, preferably at least about 60 mol%, particularly preferably at least about 70 mol%, particularly preferably at least 95 mol% of aliphatic monomers. should be understood.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, thermoplastic polymers having a glass transition temperature of more than -125°C, advantageously more than -30°C, preferably more than 30°C, particularly preferably more than 50°C, especially more than 70°C. is preferred. In the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is within the range -125°C to 200°C, especially within the range -125°C to 100°C.

Among thermoplastic polymers A, preferred thermoplastic synthetic biopolymers have a glass transition temperature preferably above 20°C, advantageously above 25°C, preferably above 30°C, particularly preferably above 35°C; Especially biopolymers with temperatures above 40°C. In the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is in the range 35°C to 55°C, especially in the range 40°C to 50°C.

Particularly preferred polyesters are PET with a glass transition temperature of at least 70°C, PLA with a glass transition temperature in the range of 40°C to 70°C, PHA with a glass transition temperature in the range of -40°C to -62°C and PHB and PBS copolymers such as PBS and PBSA with a glass transition temperature in the range of -45°C to 45°C, and polycaprolactone with a glass transition temperature in the range of -75°C to 45°C.

Polyesters, especially polyethylene terephthalate, usually have a molecular weight corresponding to an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of 0.4 (dl/g) to 1.4 (dl/g), measured at 25° C. in solution in dichloroacetic acid. .

Polyesters of particular interest are PET, PEN, PLA, PBS with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20000 g/mol determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards with preferably narrow distribution or by end group titration. , PEIT, and other polyesters. Even better, the polydispersity of these polymers is at least 1.7.

Polyesters of particular interest are those having a melting point between 250°C and 260°C, such as PET.

Polyesters of particular interest are polyesters such as PET that have an enthalpy of melting of (80%: 43 J/g; 100% crystalline/theoretical): 115 J/g.

Polyesters of particular interest are polyesters such as PET that have a crystallization temperature of at least 125°C and an enthalpy of crystallization (125°C) of at least 31 J/g.

Polyesters of particular interest are those commercially available from Trevira GmbH, such as Trevira™ T298.

Particularly preferred polyamides have glass transition temperatures in the range 30°C to 80°C, especially in the range 35°C to 65°C, particularly preferably in the range 50°C to 60°C, where these values are , in particular towards PA6.6 and PA6.

Polyamides of particular interest are preferably polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6 having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10000 g/mol determined by gel permeation chromatography or by end group titration against polystyrene standards with narrow distribution. It is polyamide.

Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6 having a melting point between 170°C and 280°C, more preferably between 200°C and 260°C. Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6, which have a crystallization melt enthalpy (100% crystal) of 190°C.

Polyamides of particular interest are polyamides such as PA6.6 and PA6, which have a softening temperature of 204°C.

Of particular interest are commercially available polyamides such as nylon, perlon, or grillon.

Polyolefins of particular interest are polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) homopolymers or polypropylene (PP) homopolymers, and copolymers or terpolymers containing at least 50 mol % ethylene repeat units and/or propylene repeat units.

Polyethylenes of particular interest include low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), very low density polyethylene (ULDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), polymethyl These are pentene (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), ethylene-octene copolymer, stereoblock PP, olefin block copolymer, and propylene-butane copolymer.

Particularly preferred polyolefins are PE with a glass transition temperature in the range -100°C to -35°C and PP with a glass transition temperature in the range -10°C to -5°C.

Polyethylenes of particular interest are polyethylene with a melting point between 120°C and 135°C, and polypropylene with a melting point between 158°C and 170°C.

Polyethylenes of particular interest are polyethylene, which has a crystallization melt enthalpy (100% crystalline) of 290 J/g, and polypropylene, which has a crystallization melt enthalpy of 190 J/g.

Of particular interest are commercially available polyolefins such as LDPE (PE Aspun 6834, Dow), HDPE (MK 910 from SKGC), PP (Braskem).

Further suitable polymers are polymers with a melting temperature above 50°C, advantageously at least 75°C, preferably above 150°C. Particularly preferably, the melting temperature is in the range 120°C to 285°C, especially in the range 150°C to 270°C, particularly preferably in the range 175°C to 270°C.

In this regard, the glass transition temperature and melting temperature of the polymer are preferably determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers according to the invention are so-called biopolymers containing repeating units of lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, succinic acid, glycolic acid and/or furandicarboxylic acid, preferably lactic acid and/or glycolic acid, especially lactic acid. It is a thermoplastic polycondensate based on In this regard, polylactic acid is particularly preferred.

In the present invention, polyesteramide, modified polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid (PLA), terpolymer based on polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyalkylene furanoate such as PEF, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonate (polyethylene carbonate, etc.), A wide range of high melting point synthetic biopolymers such as polyesters such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV), or polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers (PHBV) (melting point between 110°C and 270°C, preferably between 140°C and 270°C, more preferably between 180°C and 270°C).

The term "polylactic acid" (PLA) is to be understood as meaning a polymer composed of lactic acid units. Such polylactic acid is usually produced by condensation of lactic acid, but can also be obtained by ring-opening polymerization of lactide under appropriate conditions.

Particularly suitable polylactic acids according to the invention include poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), poly(L-lactide-co- glycolide), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and poly(dioxanone). By way of example, polymers of this type are available from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG (Federal Republic of Germany) as Resomer® GL 903, Resomer® L 206 S, Resomer® L 207 S, Resomer® L 209 S, Resomer(TM) L 210, Resomer(TM) L 210 S, Resomer(TM) LC 703 S, Resomer(TM) LG 824 S, Resomer(TM) LG 855 S, Resomer(TM) LG 857 S, Resomer(TM) ) LR 704 S, Resomer(TM) LR 706 S, Resomer(TM) LR 708, Resomer(TM) LR 927 S, Resomer(TM) RG 509 S, and Resomer(TM) X 206 S trade names, Biomer, Inc. (Federal Republic of Germany) under the trade name Biomer(TM) L9000. Other suitable polylactic acid polymers are commercially available from Natureworks, LLC (Minneapolis, Minn.).

Particularly advantageous polylactic acids for the purposes of the invention are in particular poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L-lactic acid.

The expression "polylactic acid" generally refers to z. Homopolymers of lactic acid, such as y(L-lactic acid), poly(D-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic acid), mixtures thereof, and containing lactic acid as the main component, in a low proportion, preferably less than 10 mol%. Refers to a copolymer containing copolymerizable comonomers.

Further suitable materials are polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (such as polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrates (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerates (PHV), and polyhydroxy It is a copolymer or terpolymer based on butyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the biopolymer is a thermoplastic polycondensate based exclusively on lactic acid.

The polylactic acid used according to the invention preferably has a number average molecular weight ( Mn). On the other hand, the number average is preferably at most 1,000,000 g/mol, suitably at most 500,000 g/mol, advantageously at most 100,000 g/mol, in particular at most 50,000 g/mol. A number average molecular weight in the range from at least 10 000 g/mol to 500 000 g/mol has proven to be particularly advantageous in the context of the present invention.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of preferred lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, or poly-D,L-lactic acid, is preferably within the range of 750 g/mol to 5,000,000 g/mol, preferably 5000 g /mol to 1000000 g/mol, particularly preferably in the range 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, in particular in the range 30000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, and the polydispersity of these polymers is in the range 1.5. ~5 is advantageous.

The intrinsic viscosity of particularly suitable lactic acid polymers poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L-lactic acid, measured in chloroform at 25° C. and a polymer concentration of 0.1%, is 0. .5 dl/g to 8.0 dl/g, preferably 0.8 dl/g to 7.0 dl/g, especially 1.5 dl/g to 3.2 dl/g.

Furthermore, particularly suitable lactic acid polymers, in particular poly-D-lactic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or poly-D,L - The intrinsic viscosity of lactic acid is in the range 1.0 dl/g to 2.6 dl/g, in particular in the range 1.3 dl/g to 2.3 dl/g.

Of particular interest are polylactic acids having a glass transition temperature between 50°C and 65°C.

Of particular interest are polylactic acids with melting points between 155°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest are commercially available polylactic acids such as PLA 6202D from NatureWorks.

The term "polyhydroxy fatty acid ester" (PHF) used in the context of the present invention refers to the following polymers: poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (PHP), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB, P3HB). ), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHHx), poly(3-hydroxyheptanoate) (PHH), poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate) ( PHO), poly(3-hydroxynonanoate) (PHN), poly(3-hydroxydecanoate) (PHD), poly(3-hydroxyundecanoate) (PHUD), poly(3-hydroxydodecanoate) (PHDD), poly(3-hydroxytetradecanoate) (PHTD), poly(3-hydroxypentadecanoate) (PHPD), poly(3-hydroxyhexadecanoate) (PHHxD), and the above-mentioned polymers. should be understood to mean a blend of In addition to the homopolymers mentioned above, poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co-3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP-3HB), poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP -4HB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-4HB)), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBV-HHx) and blends of the above-mentioned copolymers with the above-mentioned homopolymers. Can be used together or together.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, for example Mirel, Biomer P 209, Biopol, Aonilex X, Proganic.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a glass transition temperature in the range -2°C to 62°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting temperature within the range of 100°C to 177°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melt flow index of 5 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011 ( MFI).

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has at least 200 000 Daltons, especially at least 220 000 Daltons, particularly preferably at least 250 000 Daltons, up to 3 million Daltons, especially up to 2500 000 Daltons, particularly preferably up to 2 million Daltons. It has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymers used according to the invention usually have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about twice, preferably three times the number average molecular weight (Mn).

（式中、Ｒ_１、Ｒ_２、Ｒ_３、Ｒ_４は、２個～２０個の炭素原子からなる直鎖状又は分岐鎖状の脂肪族炭化水素残基を表す）を有するポリマーを意味すると理解されるべきである。 The term "succinate-based aliphatic polymer" refers to the following general formula:

(wherein R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , and R ₄ represent linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon residues consisting of 2 to 20 carbon atoms) should be understood.

Examples in this regard are polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate.

The thermoplastic succinate-based aliphatic polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, eg Bionolle 1000, BioPBS.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a glass transition temperature within the range -45°C to 45°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a crystallization temperature in the range from 70°C to 90°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting temperature in the range from 60°C to 180°C.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melt flow index (MFI) of 5 g/10 min to 10 g/10 min (190°C, 2.16 kg) determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011. has.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a number of at least 20,000 Daltons, especially at least 30,000 Daltons, particularly preferably at least 35,000 Daltons, up to 140,000 Daltons, especially up to 120,000 Daltons, particularly preferably up to 110,000 Daltons. It has an average molecular weight (Mn).

The thermoplastic succinate polymers used according to the invention typically have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of about twice, preferably three times the number average molecular weight (Mn).

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a synthetic biopolymer within the meaning of the present invention.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with glass transition temperatures between -45°C and 45°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with crystallization temperatures between 70°C and 90°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with melting points between 60°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones with enthalpies of fusion between 70 J/g and 145 J/g.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20,000 Daltons to 140,000 Daltons, determined by gel permeation chromatography or by end-group titration against polystyrene standards, preferably having a narrow distribution.

Of particular interest are commercially available polycaprolactones such as Resomer C 209.

Thermoplastic polymer B
Thermoplastic polymer B is selected from the above-mentioned group of thermoplastic polymers, and the preferred embodiments of thermoplastic polymer B correspond to the preferred embodiments of thermoplastic polymer A described above.

In a preferred embodiment, at least thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B are selected from the group formed by melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers, wherein polycondensates and polymerizations from biobased starting materials particularly preferred. Insofar as both thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are selected from the group formed by melt-spunable synthetic biopolymers, it is preferred to choose biopolymers that differ with respect to chemical nature and/or melting point. In this embodiment, the multicomponent polymer fiber is preferably a bicomponent fiber, with component A forming the core and component B forming the shell. Particularly preferably, the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A is at least 5° C., preferably at least 10° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B.

Additive A and Additive B
Additive A and additive B increase the biodegradability of the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention, especially the bicomponent fibers according to the invention. This is because these additives increase the biodegradability of thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B.

Multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention, particularly preferred bicomponent fibers, (i) contain at least one additive A in component A, or (ii) contain at least one additive B in component B; or (iii) component A comprises at least one additive A and component B comprises at least one additive B. If at least one additive A is present in component A and at least one additive B is present in component B, then additive A and additive B are different, or at least one additive A is present in component B. If present in component A and at least one additive B is present in component B, then if thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different, then additive A and additive B are the same. Good too. The term "different" in the context of this paragraph means that the substances differ at least with respect to their chemical properties, or with respect to their physical properties, or with respect to their concentration.

In particular, additive A and additive B are
basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogencarbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO,
aliphatic polyesters, preferably without side chain carbon atoms, preferably polycaprolactone,
fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate,
sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides;
Catalysts for transesterification, especially under basic conditions
metal compounds, especially transition metal compounds, preferably at least two transition metal compounds, and salts thereof;
unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides,
synthetic rubber, natural rubber,
carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose,
as well as mixtures of the substances mentioned above,
It is.

Thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyester, and Additive A and/or Additive B comprises (i) a basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compound (dissolved in water); pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ to C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, (v) especially under basic conditions. Preference is given to multicomponent polymer fibers, especially bicomponent polymer fibers, selected from the group of catalysts for transesterification under (vi) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers are those in which the thermoplastic polymer A and/or the thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyester, and the additive A and/or the additive B comprises (i) a basic alkali and/or an alkaline earth. (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides and oligosaccharides. , (v) catalysts for transesterification, especially under basic conditions, (vi) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or celluloses, and mixtures thereof. The aliphatic polyesters mentioned above are distinguished from the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B in terms of their chemical properties, i.e. the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different from polyols. , aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters) by polycondensation.

Particularly preferred additives A and/or additives B contain at least two substances, where preferred combinations include:
A) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO. , especially in combination with catalysts for transesterification under basic conditions,
B) combinations of sugars, in particular mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, with carbohydrates, in particular starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;
C) combinations of aliphatic polyesters and optionally sugars, especially mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starches and/or celluloses, and mixtures thereof;
D) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate;
It is.

Most preferred additives A for partially aromatic "araliphatic" polyesters or copolyesters as thermoplastic polymer A include at least:
Basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, and especially combination with a catalyst for transesterification under basic conditions, and
an aliphatic polyester, especially an aliphatic polyester without side chain carbon atoms, and optionally (i) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch, and/or (iii) cellulose. , (iv) a combination with a fatty acid ester, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearate, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearate, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof;
Contains.

Among the particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers mentioned above, thermoplastic polymer A is a polyester and thermoplastic polymer B is a polyester different from the polyester in polymer A, preferably a copolyester, and additives A and Additive B is each independently,
Basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, and especially combination with a catalyst for transesterification under basic conditions, and
an aliphatic polyester, especially an aliphatic polyester without side chain carbon atoms, and optionally (i) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch, and/or (iii) cellulose. , (iv) a combination with a fatty acid ester, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearate, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearate, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof;
Preferably, those selected from the following combinations are preferred.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the fatty acid esters mentioned above are present and optionally absent.

Thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyolefin, and additive A and/or additive B comprises (i) saccharides, in particular monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, (ii) (iii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides; (iv) synthetic and/or natural rubber; (v) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or Preference is given to multicomponent polymer fibers, especially bicomponent polymer fibers, selected from the group of fibers, cellulose, or cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred for polyolefins are combinations of (a) transition metal compounds and (b) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides, particularly preferably (c) synthetic rubber and/or natural rubber, and (d) starch. Additive A and/or Additive B containing.

Particularly preferred bicomponent polymer fibers are those in which the thermoplastic polymer B is a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene polymer, which contains as additive B at least (i) a metal compound, in particular a transition metal compound, and a salt thereof, preferably at least two and (ii) a combination of an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride/ester/amide thereof, preferably with synthetic and/or natural rubber, and optionally (iii) a sugar. , especially mono-, di- and oligosaccharides; (iv) carbohydrates, especially starch; and/or (v) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, stabilizers of phenolic antioxidants and CaO may be present.

thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyamide, and additive A and/or additive B comprises (i) a basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compound (dissolved in water); pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ to C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially mono-, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, (v) especially under basic conditions. (vi) metal compounds, especially transition metal compounds, and their salts; (vii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides; (viii) synthetic rubbers and/or Preference is given to multicomponent polymer fibers, especially bicomponent polymer fibers, selected from the group of natural rubber, (ix) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Additive A is preferably present in a proportion relative to component A of between 0.005% and 20% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.01% and 5% by weight, relative to the total amount of component A. .

Additive B is preferably present in a proportion relative to component B of between 0.005% and 20% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.01% and 5% by weight, relative to the total amount of component B. .

In order to obtain not only a low weight proportion of the additives in the components, but also a distribution as uniform as possible, it is preferred to add the additives to the polymeric material in the extruder in the form of so-called masterbatches.

The term "masterbatch" is to be understood as meaning the granules added to the polymer melt during the spinning process. In this regard, the granulation comprises a polymeric carrier material and at least one additive.

It is preferred to adjust the concentration of one or more additives in the masterbatch to allow small amounts of additives to be added to the polymer. Preferably, the masterbatch input in the spinning process is between 0.1% and 30% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.5% and 15% by weight.

Heat Fusion Thermoplastic polymers, especially copolymers and blends, especially thermoplastic biopolymers, suitable for heat melting are those with high degrees of fusion enthalpy and crystallization enthalpy. Typically, the polymers B have a crystallinity or latent heat of fusion (delta Hf) that is approximately greater than 25 joules/gram ("J/g"), particularly preferably greater than 35 J/g, in particular greater than 50 J/g. selected as follows. Determination of latent heat of fusion (ΔHf), latent heat of crystallization (ΔHC), and crystallization temperature is performed by differential scanning calorimetry (“DSC”), specifically ASTM D-3418 (ASTM D3418-15, Differential Scanning Calorimetry). Standard Test Method for Transition Temperatures and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 2015. , www.astm.org).

Further Additives to Thermoplastics A and Thermoplastics B The thermoplastic polymers, copolymers and blends mentioned above, in particular the biopolymers mentioned above, have customary additives such as, inter alia, antioxidants.

Further conventional additives are added to improve the processability of thermoplastic compositions, such as pigments, stabilizers, surfactants, waxes, glidants, solid solvents, plasticizers, and other materials. It is a nucleating agent.

Multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular bicomponent fibers according to the invention, are composed of at least 90% by weight of the abovementioned thermoplastic polymers, copolymers, blends, especially thermoplastic biopolymers, and typically, especially in the shell. It has less than about 10% by weight, preferably less than about 8% by weight, particularly preferably less than about 5% by weight of additives.

The multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular the bicomponent fibers according to the invention, can be continuous fibers, for example so-called staple fibers, or continuous fibers (filaments).

Production of Multicomponent Fibers After spinning into tows, the multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular bicomponent fibers, are combined together and post-treated in a rolling mill using methods known in principle, in particular drawn and optionally It can also be crimped or textured.

When processed after the (filament) spinning process, the multicomponent polymer fibers according to the invention are cooled immediately after exiting the spinneret, drawn and deposited on a focusing belt or preferably wound onto a bobbin. Further steps include filament drawing, texturing, and thermal bonding, among others.

The production of multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular bicomponent fibers according to the invention, is carried out using methods and equipment known to the person skilled in the art, which are described in the literature, for example by Fourne (Synthetische Fasern [Synthetic Fibers]; 1995, Vol. 4 and 5.2).

A number of manufacturing methods are available for manufacturing nonwoven fabrics. In the production of spunbond, the intermediate steps of staple fiber production are not performed. In particular, the multicomponent fibers are deposited as a non-woven fabric immediately after leaving the spinneret, preferably by agitation by an air stream. The production of spunbonds is known to those skilled in the art and is described in the literature, for example in Fourne (Synthetische Fasern [Synthetic Fibers]; 1995, Chapter 5.5).

The fibers are preferably in the form of staple fibers to improve dispersion or for further processing, especially into yarns, in a second spinning unit. The length of the staple fibers is not limited in principle, but is generally between 2 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 120 mm, particularly preferably between 4 mm and 60 mm.

The individual linear density of the multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular the bicomponent fibers according to the invention, preferably staple fibers, is between 0.5 dtex and 30 dtex, preferably between 0.7 dtex and 13 dtex. For some applications, a linear density between 0.5 and 3 dtex and a fiber length of less than 10 mm, especially less than 8 mm, particularly preferably less than 6 mm, particularly preferably less than 5 mm are particularly suitable.

The multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular the bicomponent fibers according to the invention, preferably have a low hot air thermal shrinkage in the range from 0% to 10%, preferably from more than 0% to 8%, each measured at 110° C. .

The production of the polymer fibers according to the invention is carried out in principle using customary methods. First, the polymer is optionally dried and fed to the extruder. The molten material is then spun using conventional equipment with suitable spinnerets. The mass throughput and capillary withdrawal rate from the spinneret exit plate are set to produce fibers with the desired linear density.

The fibers formed can have various shapes, such as circular, oval, star, dogbone, barbell, kidney, triangular or polygonal, cloverleaf, horseshoe, lens, rod, and gear shapes. , cloud-shape, x-shape, y-shape, o-shape, u-shape, and is not limited to this list, other suitable cross-sections are also possible.

The fiber filaments produced according to the invention are gathered into yarns and then into tows. The tow is first deposited in a can for further processing. The tow temporarily stored in the can is taken out and a large cable tow is manufactured.

The invention also relates to post-treatment of cable tows produced by known methods, typically from 10 ktex to 600 ktex using conventional rolling mills and special stretching. The speed at which the cable tow is stretched or fed into the stretching device is preferably 10 m/min to 110 m/min (feed speed). In this regard, other formulations may also be applied which aid the stretching but do not adversely affect the subsequent properties.

Stretching can be done in a single step, or optionally using a two-step stretching process (see, eg, US Pat. No. 3,816,486). One or more finishes can be applied using conventional methods before and during stretching.

Stretching according to the invention is carried out at a stretch ratio of between 1.2 and 6.0, preferably between 2.0 and 4.0, in particular when biopolymers are used, wherein the tow is stretched The temperature is preferably between 30°C and 100°C. Stretching is therefore carried out within the glass transition temperature range for the tow being drawn. The drawing according to the invention is carried out in the presence of steam, ie in a so-called steam box, so that the fibers are drawn in a steam box. Steamboxes are normally operated under a pressure of 3 bar.

By drawing in the presence of steam and in the temperature range mentioned above, the thermal shrinkage of the fibers can be reduced and controlled in a specific manner.

The tow is preferably between 24 ktex and 360 ktex before stretching.

Preferably, the stretching is carried out in one stage or in multiple stages, where the godets of the stretching units may be at different temperatures and the stretching ratio between the stretching units may be different. Preferably, the steam box is arranged between at least two drawing units, ie the point of drawing the fibers is in or near the steam box. The temperature of all godets (usually 7 per drawing unit) is between 30°C and 250°C. All stretching is preferably carried out at least partially or entirely in a steam box. Preferably, the steam box is operated at a steam pressure of 3 bar.

Stretching may be performed cold, where "cold" means room temperature (approximately 20°C to 35°C).

The selection of all parameters for the rolling mill as well as the respective drawing implementation is made depending on the end use of the polymer and/or fiber.

For optional crimping/texturing of the drawn fibers, conventional mechanical crimping methods using crimping machines known per se can be used. Preferably, a mechanical device for steam-assisted fiber crimping is used, such as a stuffer box. However, other methods can be used to obtain crimped fibers, including for example three-dimensionally crimped fibers. To carry out the crimping, the tow is first brought to a constant temperature, usually in the range from 50°C to 100°C, preferably from 70°C to 85°C, particularly preferably up to approximately 78°C, and from 1.0 bar to 6.0 bar. , particularly preferably a pressure on the tow feed roll of approximately 2.0 bar, a pressure in the crimping box of 0.5 bar to 6.0 bar, particularly preferably 1.5 bar to 3.0 bar, from 1.0 kg/min to 2.0 bar. It is treated with steam at a rate of 0 kg/min, particularly preferably 1.5 kg/min.

If smooth fibers or optionally crimped fibers are relaxed and/or fixed in a furnace or in a hot air stream, this also takes place at a maximum temperature of 130.degree.

To produce staple fibers, smooth or optionally crimped fibers are removed and then cut and deposited as flocks into compressed bales. The staple fibers of the present invention are preferably cut with a mechanical cutting device downstream of relaxation. Cutting can be omitted to produce various types of tows. These types of tow are deposited in uncut form and compacted into bales.

If the fibers according to the invention are in a crimped embodiment, the degree of crimping is preferably at least 2 crimps per cm (arched crimps), preferably at least 3 crimps per cm, preferably 3 crimps per cm. Crimp to 9.8 crimp per cm, particularly preferably 3.9 crimp to 8.9 crimp per cm. For textile fabric manufacturing applications, crimp degree values of approximately 5 crimp to 5.5 crimp per cm are particularly preferred. When producing textile fabrics using the wet-laid method, the degree of crimp must be set individually.

core/shell (= core/ Typical setups for producing bicomponent fibers of the sheath type include:
PET raw materials are typically dried at temperatures up to 180° C. for up to 4 to 6 hours; polypropylene (PP) typically does not need to be dried;
Melt extrusion is typically carried out in an extruder equipped with one or more screws;
The configuration of the two-component spinneret is concentric or eccentric, with PP as the shell (sheath) material and PET as the core component;
The extruder melt temperature for the core is typically in the range of 250°C to 300°C for PET, and for the sheath material is typically in the range of 220°C to 270°C for PP. is;
Adding additives at the extruder feed for both the shell (sheath) and the core at a level between 1% and 3% by weight, typically in the form of a masterbatch;
Fiber quenching is typically cross-flow and the air temperature is typically in the range of 18°C to 24°C;
Typical fiber drawdown speeds range from 800 m/min to 1300 m/min;
The drawing of the fibers can be one-stage or two-stage drawing with a draw ratio of up to 4 and a heat set of 110°C to 130°C.

Core/shell (with polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET) as thermoplastic polymer A and additive A in the core and polyethylene terephthalate copolymer (coPET) as thermoplastic polymer B and additive B in the shell (sheath) Typical setups for producing bicomponent fibers of the = core/sheath type include:
Drying the PET raw material typically at temperatures up to 180°C for up to 4 to 6 hours;
Melt extrusion is typically carried out in an extruder with one or more screws, one extruder for the shell (sheath) material (coPET) and one extruder for the core material (PET). be;
The configuration of a bicomponent spinneret is concentric or eccentric, with coPET as the shell (sheath) material and PET as the core component;
The melt temperature of the extruder is typically within the range of 250°C to 300°C;
Adding additives at the extruder feed for both the shell (sheath) and the core at a level between 1% and 3% by weight, typically in the form of a masterbatch;
Fiber quenching is typically crossflow or inflow or radial outflow, and the air temperature is typically in the range of 18°C to 50°C;
Typical fiber drawdown speeds range from 400 m/min to 1800 m/min, preferably 1400 m/min;
The drawing of the fibers is carried out using a draw ratio of up to 4.5, specifically 2.5 to 3.5, a finishing bath temperature of up to 80°C, and a maximum of 70°C before a steam bath, if present, specifically can be one or two stage stretching with a godet temperature of 30°C and a temperature after the point of stretching up to 80°C, typically heat setting in a hot air oven at a temperature of up to 190°C.

Textile fabrics can be produced from the fibers according to the invention and these also form the subject of the invention.

Textile Fabric The term "textile fabric" as used in the context of this specification is to be interpreted in its broadest sense. These may therefore be any structures comprising the fibers according to the invention, manufactured using the technology of manufacturing fabrics. Examples of such textile fabrics are nonwovens based on staple fibers, preferably produced by heat-sealing, especially wet-laid or dry-laid nonwovens. Other examples of nonwovens are carded or airlaid nonwovens, preferably based on staple fibers, or nonwovens produced using meltblowing and/or spunbond filament methods. Particularly when the fibers or nonwovens have a low linear density, melt-blown methods (e.g., "Complete Textile Glossary", Celanese Acetate LLC, 2000 onwards, or "Chemiefaser-Lexikon", Robert Bauer, 10th edition, 1993) ) and electrospinning methods are most suitable.

To produce nonwoven fabrics using the spunbond filament process, freshly spun fibers, preferably freshly spun bicomponent fibers, are bundled on a converging conveyor to laminate them to a specific thickness and thus spun. A bonded nonwoven fabric can be obtained. Spunbond nonwovens can be further consolidated by further entangling the nonwoven using, for example, a hot embossing method using an embossing roller or using known needling/waterjet methods. When bicomponent fibers having a higher melting point component and a lower melting point component are used, the nonwoven fabric is consolidated by heat fusing using the lower melting point component.

In the case of heat fusing as described above, textile fabrics containing bicomponent fibers/multicomponent fibers are bonded to a textile fabric containing bicomponent fibers at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the lower melting point component (e.g. shell) of the multicomponent fiber, but with a higher melting point component (e.g. shell). (e.g. core) to a furnace, e.g. a vented dryer, with one or more heating zones used to heat the air to a temperature below the melting temperature of the core. This heated air flows through the textile fabric, typically a nonwoven fabric, so that the lower melting point components melt and form bonds between the fibers, thermally stabilizing the fabric.

Typically, the air flowing through the heat fusing furnace is at a temperature within the range of 100°C to approximately 180°C. Residence time in the furnace is approximately 180 seconds or less. However, it should be understood that the parameters of the heat fusing furnace are dependent on the type of polymer used and the thickness of the material.

Ultrasonic consolidation techniques using fixed or rotating horns and rotating patterned embossing rollers may also be used. Examples of such techniques are U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,033; U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,869; U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,403, and US Pat. No. 5,817,199, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. As an alternative technique, the nonwoven fabric can be thermally spot welded to provide a large number of small individual joint points in the fabric. The method generally includes guiding the fabric between two heated rollers, such as a pattern-imprinted roller and a second bonding roller. The stamped roller is patterned so that the web is not bonded over its entire surface, and the second roller may be smooth or patterned.

A wide variety of patterns have been developed for stamped rollers for functional and/or aesthetic reasons. Examples of bonding patterns include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. No. 3,855,046, U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,779, U.S. Pat. No. 093,665, U.S. Design Patent No. 428,267 and U.S. Design Patent No. 390,708, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Things can be mentioned.

The basis weight of textile fabrics, in particular of non-woven fabrics, is between 10 g/m ² and 500 g/m ² , preferably between 25 g/m ² and 450 g/m ² and especially between 30 g/m ² and 300 g/m ² .

Textile fabrics, in particular non-woven fabrics, made from multicomponent fibers according to the invention, in particular from bicomponent fibers according to the invention, can be produced in a known manner using calender rollers or thermally consolidated in a furnace. can be done.

Textile fabrics, such as non-woven fabrics, made from the multicomponent fibers according to the invention are usually produced by thermal fusing due to the different melting points of the components. This causes the fibers to join together at contact points or intersections. The contact points or intersections of the fibers with each other, as long as component B, made from thermoplastic polymer B and additive B, has a higher biodegradability than component A, made from thermoplastic polymer A and additive A. is degraded first, and textile fabrics, such as nonwovens, disintegrate more quickly, resulting in increased overall degradability.

Textile fabrics, in particular non-woven fabrics, in this context may, in addition to multicomponent fibers, further contain other fibers depending on the intended purpose. In this regard, particular emphasis should be placed on the "filler fibers" described in WO 2007/107906. The "filler fibers" described in WO 2007/107906 also form part of the subject matter of the present invention and form part of the present invention.

Textile fabrics include the above-mentioned biodegradable fibers which can be mixed with other fiber materials, chemical fibers, preferably natural fibers such as cotton or cellulose fibers, fibers of animal origin such as wool, or other biodegradable fibers. Mention may be made of fibers of polymeric materials. Mixing such different fibers can produce textile fabrics with a fiber gradient. Examples of cellulose fibers include softwood kraft pulp fibers. Softwood kraft pulp fibers are obtained from softwood trees, including, but not limited to, redwood, red cedar, hemlock spruce, Douglas fir, true spruces, pines (e.g., southern pine), spruce (e.g., black spruce), Included are cellulose fibers of northern softwood species, western softwood species, and southern softwood species, such as combinations thereof. Northern softwood kraft pulp fibers can be used in the present invention. Another cellulosic material suitable for use in the present invention is a bleached sulfate wood cellulosic material containing primarily softwood fibers. Fibers with smaller average lengths can also be used in the present invention. An example of a suitable cellulosic material fiber having a short average length is hardwood kraft pulp fiber. Hardwood kraft pulp fibers are derived from deciduous trees and include, but are not limited to, cellulosic material fibers such as eucalyptus, maple, beech, poplar, and the like. Eucalyptus kraft pulp fibers may be particularly preferred to increase flexibility, increase gloss, increase opacity, and change the pore structure of the sheet to increase its absorbency. Typically, the cellulosic material fibers comprise about 30% to about 95%, in some embodiments about 40% to about 90%, in some embodiments about 50% by weight of the nonwoven fabric. % to approximately 85% by weight.

Additionally, superabsorbent materials may be included in the nonwoven fabric. A superabsorbent material is a material that swells in water and is capable of absorbing 20 times its weight, and in some cases at least 30 times its weight, in an aqueous solution containing 0.9% by weight of sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials may be natural, synthetic, and modified natural polymers and materials. Examples of synthetic superabsorbent polymers include alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamide), poly(vinyl ether), maleic anhydride with vinyl ethers and alpha-olefins. Copolymers, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(vinylmorpholinone), poly(vinyl alcohol), and mixtures and copolymers thereof. Other superabsorbent materials include hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starches, acrylic acid-grafted starches, natural and modified natural polymers such as methylcellulose, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and alginates, xanthan gum. , locust bean gum and the like. Mixtures of natural superabsorbent polymers and fully synthetic or partially synthetic superabsorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. If a superabsorbent material is used, the superabsorbent material can range from about 30% to about 95%, in some embodiments from about 40% to about 90%, by weight of the nonwoven fabric. In form, it accounts for approximately 50% to approximately 85% by weight.

The textile fabrics of the present invention, in particular the non-woven fabrics mentioned above, can be used for example in diapers, training pants, absorbent underwear, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, (e.g. sanitary towels), swimwear, baby wipes, etc. absorbent articles, clothing, window coverings, underlays, bed protectors, bandages, absorbent fabrics, and medical absorbent articles such as medical wipes, wipes for the food industry, clothing, etc. It can be used in absorbent articles such as. Materials and methods suitable for manufacturing absorbent articles of this type are known to those skilled in the art. Typically, absorbent articles include a substantially liquid-impermeable layer (e.g., an outer shell), a liquid-permeable layer (e.g., a body-facing layer), a barrier layer, etc., and an absorbent layer. It has a core. The nonwoven fabric in the present invention can be used as one or more of a liquid-impermeable layer, a liquid-permeable layer, and/or an absorbent layer.

The textile fabrics of the present invention, in particular the non-woven fabrics mentioned above, are not limited to the above-mentioned uses, but include, for example, hygiene, medical care, personal protection, household use (fiber stuffing, etc.), clothing, mobility/transportation (cars, trains, aircraft, ships). ), engineering (insulation), agriculture, packaging, filtration, and all disposable applications.

Test method:
Unless otherwise specified herein, the following measurement or test methods were used:

Linear density:
The determination of linear density was carried out according to DIN EN ISO 1973.

Biodegradability Determinations, tests, and specifications include (i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (for determining aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions incorporating thermophilic temperatures); Standard Test Method (DOI: 10.1520/D5338-15R21) ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2015, www.astm.org), (ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Aerobic (iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Composted) (DOI: 10.1520/D6400-12) Standard Test Method for Determining the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Materials (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-11) and ASTM D5511-18 for Determining the Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18)), (iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09) Determining the aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in the marine environment by defined microbial consortia or natural seawater inoculation. (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09) and ASTM D6691-17, Standard Test for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Specified Microbial Consortia or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-17)), (v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Decomposition in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92), (vi) PAS 9017 :2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in outdoor terrestrial environments - Standard), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31, (vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12 Aerobic biodegradation of plastic materials in soil) Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988-18 -18), ASTM D5988-03 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Composted or Residual Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)), (viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test schemes and evaluation criteria for final delivery of packaging; German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10.31030/9010637 ), (ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83.080.01) Plastic materials under controlled composting conditions (x) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or (xi) was in accordance with at least one method selected from the group formed by ISO 17088:2021-04 (Standard for Compostable Plastics) (ICS 83.080.01);

Number average molecular weight and mass average molecular weight (Mn/Mw)
Determination using gel permeation chromatography, in particular DIN 55672 (gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) against suitable polymer standards with narrow distribution.

Intrinsic viscosity Determined by measurement via GPC in chloroform at 25° C. and a polymer concentration of 0.1%.

Glass transition temperature and melting temperature In particular, DIN EN ISO 11357-2:2020-08 (Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 2: Determination of glass transition temperature and step height associated with glass transition Determination of glass transition temperature according to temperature and the step height related to glass transition).

In particular, in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11357-3:2018-07 (Plastics - Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) - Part 3: Determination of the temperatures and enthalpies of melting and crystallization) Determination of melting temperature.

Determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using the following protocol:
DSC measurements were performed under nitrogen and calibrated to indium. The nitrogen flow rate is 50 mL/min and the fiber weight is in the range of 2 mg to 3 mg.

The temperature ranges from −50° C. to 210° C. at 10 K/min, then isothermal for 5 minutes, and finally returns to −50° C. at 10 K/min.

In general, the final temperature was always approximately 50° C. above the highest expected melting point.

DSC measurements were performed using a TA/Waters model Q100.

Melt Viscosity Melt viscosity was determined using a Goettfert Rheo Tester 1000 at temperatures appropriate for the polymers between approximately 190°C and 280°C.

In particular, the use of ASTM D2196-20 (Standard Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer).

Apparent viscosity This determination was performed as described in WO 2007/070064.

Melt Flow Index ASTM Test Method D1238-13, Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer, ASTM International, Pennsylvania West Conshohocken, 2013, www.astm.org) or according to DIN EN ISO 1133-1:2012-03 (Plastics - Melt mass flow rate (MFR) and melt volume flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics). Plastics - Determination of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and the melt volume flow-rate(MVR) of thermoplastics - Part 1: Standard test method) and DIN EN ISO 1133-2 :2012-03 (Plastics - Determination of melt mass flow rate (MFR) and melt volume flow rate (MVR) of thermoplastics - Part 2: Procedures for time-temperature history and/or moisture sensitive materials (Plastics - Determination) of the melt mass-flow rate (MFR) and the melt volume flow-rate(MVR) of thermoplastics - Part 2: Procedure for materials which are sensitive to time-temperature history and/or to moisture). Melt flow index is the weight of polymer that can be extruded through an extrusion rheometer opening (e.g., 0.0825 inch diameter) when a force of e.g. 2160 grams is applied for e.g. 10 minutes at e.g. 190°C. (in grams).

Latent heat of fusion Determination of latent heat of fusion (ΔHf), latent heat of crystallization (ΔHC), and crystallization temperature using differential scanning calorimetry (“DSC”) according to ASTM D-3418 (ASTM D3418-15, Differential Scanning Calorimetry) Standard Test Method for Transition Temperature and Enthalpy of Melting and Enthalpy of Crystallization of Polymers by Measuring Method, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2015, www.astm.org) or DIN EN ISO 11357 (Plastics - Differential Scanning) Calorimetry (DSC)).

Heat Shrinkage Twelve fibers (test pieces) were produced from the sample cable tow. These were clamped to the terminal block using tweezers at one end, and a decrimping weight was fixed to the other end. Measurements were carried out using core/shell type bicomponent fibers with a linear density of 2.2 dtex. The crimp removal weight was 190 mg.

The terminal block with the test specimen was fixed to a support such that the test specimen was suspended freely within the support under pretension. The selected starting length (typically 150 mm) was now marked on each fiber. This was done using marking lines on the support and marking points applied to the specimen. After marking, the blocked terminal block was lifted and replaced on the plate. The crimp removal weight was now removed and the free ends of the fibers were clamped to a second terminal block. A specimen spanning two terminal blocks was suspended within a wire frame without tension. This wire frame was introduced into the center of a shrinking furnace preheated to the correct processing temperature (typical temperatures are 200°C, 110°C, 80°C). After a 5 minute processing time, the wire frame was removed from the oven. After the terminal block had cooled for at least 30 minutes, the terminal block with specimen was removed from the frame and the fibers were replaced on the plate. After that, a back measurement could be performed. For this purpose, the specimen was once again loaded with a crimp removal weight and suspended on a support. For remeasurement, the adjustable marking line of the support was positioned so that the upper edge of each marking point could overlap the marking line. Next, the length between the marks for each individual fiber could be read from the counter on the support with an accuracy of 1/10 mm.

Calculation of length change: Length change [%] = (Initial length [mm] - Measured length [mm]) / (Initial length [mm]) x 100%

The average value of all 12 test pieces was used.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples, which in no way limit its scope.

Example 1
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers are spun from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin with the following properties:

In the case of PET, melt extrusion is carried out in an extruder equipped with one or more screws at a temperature of 280° C. to 290° C.

Additive A is added at the feed throat of the extruder at a masterbatch input level of 2% by weight. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as carrier and additives including aliphatic polyester and _CaCO3 .

Fiber quenching is performed by cross-flow and an air temperature of 40° C., and the fiber drawdown speed is 1400 m/min. The fineness of the spun fiber is 5.4 dtex.

The fibers are drawn in one or two stages with a draw ratio of up to 4, with a final dtex of 2.5 dtex. Heat setting is performed at 110°C to 130°C.

The produced fibers are cut into staple fibers having a length of 38 mm.

The manufactured fibers are tested according to ASTM D5511 with results obtained after 208 days:

Biodegradation is shown in Figure 1 in comparison to the control.

Example 2
A bicomponent fiber having polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the core (thermoplastic polymer A) and polypropylene (PP) as the shell (sheath) (thermoplastic polymer B) is made of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin having the following properties: and spinning from polypropylene (PP) resin:

Melt extrusion is carried out in the case of PET in an extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 270°C, and in the case of PP in a separate extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 250°C.

Additive A is added to the PET at the feed end of the extruder at a masterbatch charge level of 2% by weight. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as carrier and additives including aliphatic polyester and _CaCO3 .

Additive B is added to the PP at the feed throat of the extruder at a masterbatch input level of 2% by weight. This masterbatch consists of PP as a carrier and additives including a transition metal compound and an unsaturated carboxylic acid.

Fiber quenching is performed by cross-flow and an air temperature of 20° C., and the fiber drawdown speed is 1000 m/min. The fineness of the spun fiber is 5.4 dtex.

The fibers are drawn in one or two stages with a draw ratio of up to 4, with a final dtex of 2.5 dtex. Heat setting is performed at 110°C to 130°C.

The manufactured fibers are cut into staple fibers having a length of 38 mm, and a nonwoven fabric is manufactured by thermal fusion.

The nonwoven fabric thus produced is kept in a sealed vacuum bag as a control, and another nonwoven fabric thus produced is tested for one year (365 days) at 60° C. and 60% relative humidity.

Degradation is shown in Figures 2a-2e versus control. The disassembly of the PP sheath becomes clearly visible. Figure 2e shows the disintegration of the PET core as the shape of the fraction clearly changes from the mushroom shape typical of PET to a shape indicating that the material has become brittle. In this test, the fibers were reproducibly (at a defined speed) subjected to axial stress by a mechanical testing machine.

The core of this bicomponent fiber has the same material composition (polymer and additives) as the fiber described in Example 1, which has demonstrated degradation according to ASTM D5511.

Example 3
A bicomponent fiber having polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the core (thermoplastic polymer A) and copolyethylene terephthalate (coPET) as the shell (sheath) (thermoplastic polymer B) has the following properties: ) resin and spinning from copolyethylene terephthalate (coPET) resin:

Melt extrusion is carried out in the case of PET in an extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 290°C and in the case of coPET in a separate extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 280°C.

Additive A is added to the PET at the feed end of the extruder at a masterbatch charge level of 2% by weight. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as carrier and additives including aliphatic polyester and _CaCO3 .

Additive B is added to the coPET at the feed port of the extruder at a masterbatch input level of 2% by weight. This additive B is the same as additive A.

Fiber quenching is performed by cross-flow and an air temperature of 35° C., and the fiber drawdown speed is 1200 m/min. The fineness of the spun fiber is 5.4 dtex.

The fibers are drawn in one or two stages with a maximum draw ratio of 4.5, with a final dtex of 2.5 dtex. Heat set at 80°C.

The manufactured fibers are cut into staple fibers having a length of 38 mm, and a nonwoven fabric is manufactured by thermal fusion.

The fibers obtained meet all the requirements imposed. The core of this bicomponent fiber has the same material composition (polymer and additives) as the fiber described in Example 1, which has demonstrated degradation according to ASTM D5511. The sheath differs in that the copolyester has a lower melting point than the core polyester, allowing this fiber to be used for heat-sealable nonwovens.

Claims (25)

(i) comprising at least one component A and at least one component B;
(ii) the component A includes a thermoplastic polymer A;
(iii) a multicomponent polymer fiber, wherein component B comprises thermoplastic polymer B;
(iv) said component A further comprises at least one additive A that increases the biodegradability of said multicomponent fiber, and said component B comprises additive B that increases the biodegradability of said multicomponent fiber. do not have or
(v) said component B further comprises at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of said multicomponent fiber, and said component A further comprises at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of said multicomponent fiber; do not have or
(vi) said component A further comprises at least one additive A, and said component B further comprises at least one additive B, which together are enhances degradability, provided that (i) if said thermoplastic polymer A and said thermoplastic polymer B are the same, said additive A and said additive B are different, or (ii) said additive A and said Multicomponent polymer fiber, characterized in that, if additive B is the same, thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different. The thermoplastic polymer A and/or the thermoplastic polymer B belong to the following group:
(i) Acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-(diene)-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-methacrylate copolymer, acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate copolymer, chlorinated acrylonitrile, polyethylene-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-styrene Copolymer, cellulose acetobutyrate, cellulose acetopropionate, hydrated cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose triacetate, polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-chloro Trifluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethyl cellulose, polystyrene, polyfluoroethylene-propylene, Methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methyl cellulose, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 46, polyamide 6, polyamide 6-3-T, polyamide 6-terephthalic acid copolymer, polyamide 66, polyamide 69 , polyamide 610, polyamide 612, polyamide 6I, polyamide MXD6, polyamide PDA-T, polyamide, polyarylether, polyaryletherketone, polyamideimide, polyarylamide, polyamino-bis-maleimide, polyarylate, polybutene-1, polyamide Butyl acrylate, polybenzimidazole, poly-bis-maleimide, polyoxadiazobenzimidazole, polybutyl terephthalate, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyester carbonate, polyaryletherketone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, Polyetherketone, polyethylene oxide, polyarylether sulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, polyisobutylene, polyisocyanurate, polyimide sulfone, polymethacrylimide, polymethacrylate, poly-4-methylpentene, polyacetal, polypropylene, polyphenyl oxide, polypropylene Oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene sulfone, polystyrene, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl Pyrrolidone, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride-butadiene copolymer, styrene methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-methylstyrene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymer, Vinyl chloride-methacrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-maleic anhydride copolymer, vinyl chloride-maleimide copolymer, vinyl chloride-methyl methacrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-octyl acrylate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, vinyl chloride - vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile copolymer, and/or
(ii) synthetic biopolymers;
Multicomponent polymer fiber according to claim 1, characterized in that it is selected from: The synthetic biopolymer may be one or more aliphatic, araliphatic polyesters or copolyester, characterized in that the polyol may be substituted or unsubstituted, and the polyol may be a linear polyol or a branched polyol. 2. The multicomponent polymer fiber according to item 2. (i) the polyol contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms; (ii) the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms and 5 to 10 carbon atoms; substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing atoms, wherein said cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids (iii) the aromatic dicarboxylic acid is a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms; (iv) said substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids are substituted with halogen Multicomponent polymer fiber according to claim 3, characterized in that it contains from 1 to 4 substituents selected from C ₆ -C ₁₀ aryl, and C ₁ -C ₄ alkoxy. The synthetic biopolymers include aliphatic polyesters having repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, polyhydroxyalkanoates such as polyhydroxyvalerate and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymers, polycaprolactone, furandicarboxylic acid, etc. and succinate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate. The multicomponent polymer fiber according to item 1. Specific examples include polyethylene oxalate, polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate, and compounds of these. Can be selected from blends and copolymers. The synthetic biopolymers include aliphatic polyesters containing repeat units of lactic acid (PLA), hydroxy fatty acids (PHF) (also known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)), especially hydroxybutanoic acid (PHB), as well as succinate. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base aliphatic polymer is polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate. 1 . The thermoplastic polymer A and/or the thermoplastic polymer B have a glass transition temperature in the range -125°C to 200°C, in particular in the range -125°C to 100°C. The multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of items 1 to 6. Said thermoplastic polymer A and/or said thermoplastic polymer B has a melting temperature in the range from 120°C to 285°C, in particular in the range from 150°C to 270°C, particularly preferably in the range from 175°C to 270°C. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Said thermoplastic polymer A and/or said thermoplastic polymer B is selected from the group formed by polylactic acid (PLA) and copolymers thereof, polyhydroxy fatty acid esters (PHF) and copolymers thereof, and blends of said polymers. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: At least said thermoplastic polymer A and/or said thermoplastic polymer B are selected from the group formed by melt-spunable synthetic biopolymers, wherein polycondensates and polymers from bio-based starting materials are particularly preferred. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it is preferred. The multicomponent polymer fiber is characterized in that the component A forms the core and the component B forms the shell, and the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A is at least 5 % lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is at least 10°C higher. The fiber has (i) at least one additive A in the component A, or (ii) at least one additive B in the component B, or (iii) at least one additive B in the component A. and has at least one additive B in said component B, provided that said additive A and said additive B are different, or said at least one additive A is present in said component A, and as long as at least one additive B is present in said component B, said additive A and said additive B, if said thermoplastic polymer A and said thermoplastic polymer B are different. Multicomponent polymer fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that they may be identical. The additive A and the additive B belong to the following group:
(i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, bicarbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO ,
(ii) aliphatic polyester;
(iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate;
(iv) sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides;
(v) a catalyst for transesterification, especially under basic conditions;
(vi) metal compounds, especially transition metal compounds, and salts thereof;
(vii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides;
(viii) synthetic rubber, natural rubber,
(ix) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose;
as well as mixtures of the substances mentioned above,
Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is selected from: The additive A preferably comprises a proportion of the component A of between 0.005% and 20% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.01% and 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the component A. and said additive B preferably comprises between 0.005% and 20% by weight, particularly preferably between 0.01% and 5% by weight, based on the total weight of component B. Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has a proportion of component B. Multicomponent polymer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the fibers are continuous fibers, preferably staple fibers, or continuous filaments, preferably bicomponent fibers. fiber. The fiber has an increased biodegradability compared to a multicomponent fiber without the additive A and/or the additive B, and the biodegradability is in the following group:
(i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures (DOI: 10.1520/D5338 -15R21) ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 2015, www.astm.org),
(ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Standard Specification for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities) (DOI: 10.1520/D6400-12);
(iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-11) and ASTM D5511-18 Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions; (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18))
(iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Specified Microbial Consortia or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09); ASTM D6691-17, Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-17));
(v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Decomposition in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92),
(vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in outdoor terrestrial environments - Standard), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31,
(vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988-18 Determination of Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 For Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting standard test method (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)),
(viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test schemes and evaluation criteria for final delivery of packaging; German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10. 31030/9010637),
(ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83.080.01) Preferability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions Determination of ultimate biodegradability (by analysis of generated carbon dioxide),
(x) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or
(xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Standard for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01);
Multicomponent polymer fiber according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is determined according to at least one method selected from: (i) component A forms the core of the fiber and component B forms the shell of the fiber;
(ii) the component A in the core includes a thermoplastic polymer A;
(iii) the component B includes a thermoplastic polymer B;
(iv) the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in the component A in the core is at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in the component B in the shell, preferably the melting point is at least 10° C. higher; A bicomponent fiber having a core/shell structure,
(v) said component A has a higher biodegradability than said component B, preferably said component A has at least one additive A; or
(vi) Bicomponent fiber, characterized in that said component B has a higher biodegradability than said component A, and preferably said component B comprises at least one additive B. Said biodegradable is of the following group:
(i) ASTM D5338-15 (2021) (Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures (DOI: 10.1520/D5338 -15R21) ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 2015, www.astm.org),
(ii) ASTM D6400-12 (Standard Specification for the Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities) (DOI: 10.1520/D6400-12);
(iii) ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High Solids Anaerobic Digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-11) and ASTM D5511-18 Standard test method for determining anaerobic biodegradation of plastic materials under high solids anaerobic digestion conditions; (DOI: 10.1520/D5511-18))
(iv) ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Specified Microbial Consortia or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09); ASTM D6691-17, Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in the Marine Environment by Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Seawater Inoculation (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-17));
(v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Decomposition in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92),
(vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in outdoor terrestrial environments - Standard), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31,
(vii) ASTM D5988 (ASTM D5988-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-12), ASTM D5988-18 Determination of Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials in Soil Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 For Determining the Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting standard test method (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)),
(viii) EN 13432:2000-12 Packaging - Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation - Test schemes and evaluation criteria for final delivery of packaging; German version EN 13432:2000 (DOI: 10. 31030/9010637),
(ix) ISO 14855-1:2013-04 (DOI: 10.31030/1939267) and ISO 14855-2:2018-07 (ICS 83.080.01) Preferability of plastic materials under controlled composting conditions Determination of ultimate biodegradability (by analysis of generated carbon dioxide),
(x) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527), or
(xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Standard for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01);
Bicomponent fiber according to claim 17, characterized in that it is determined according to at least one method selected from: Said additive A and/or said additive B are (i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably is CaCO ₃ and an alkaline additive, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) an aliphatic polyester, (iii) a fatty acid ester, preferably a C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearate, more preferably a C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearate. (iv) sugars, especially mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides; (v) catalysts for transesterification, especially under basic conditions; (vi) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or Bicomponent fiber according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it is selected from the group formed by cellulose or cellulose, and mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic polymer A and/or the thermoplastic polymer B include at least one polyester, provided that the polyester has an aromatic aroma when the additive A and/or the additive B is an aliphatic polyester. Bicomponent fiber according to claim 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that it is an aliphatic polyester or copolyester. The additive A and/or the additive B are
A) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (dissolved in water, pH>7), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, particularly preferably CaCO ₃ and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO. , especially in combination with catalysts for transesterification under basic conditions,
B) combinations of sugars, in particular mono-, di- and oligosaccharides, with carbohydrates, in particular starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;
C) combinations of aliphatic polyesters with sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starches and/or cellulose,
D) fatty acid esters, preferably C ₁ -C ₄₀ -alkyl stearates, more preferably C ₂ -C ₂₀ -alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof;
Bicomponent fiber according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that it is selected from the group formed by: Use of multicomponent polymer fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or bicomponent fibers according to any one of claims 17 to 21 for producing textile fabrics. Textile fabric comprising multicomponent polymeric fibers according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or bicomponent fibers according to any one of claims 17 to 21. 2. The textile fabric is preferably a non-woven fabric based on staple fibers, in particular a wet-laid non-woven fabric or a dry-laid non-woven fabric, wherein the non-woven fabric is preferably consolidated by thermal bonding. 24. Textile fabric according to item 23. The textile fabric, in particular the non-woven fabric, is characterized in that it has a basis weight of between 10 g/m ² and 500 g/m ² , preferably between 25 g/m ² and 450 g/m ² , especially between 30 g/m ² and 300 g/m ² . The textile fabric according to claim 23 or 24.

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