KR20230130670A - Biologically Degradable Multi-Component Polymer Fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to biologically degradable multi-component polymer fibers with advantageous physical properties, especially bi-component fibers, processes for producing them, and their uses.

Description

Biologically Degradable Multi-Component Polymer Fibers

The present invention relates to biologically degradable polymer fibers with advantageous physical properties, processes for producing them, and uses thereof.

Polymeric fibers, ie fibers based on synthetic polymers, are produced industrially on a large scale. In this regard, basic synthetic polymers are processed using the melt spinning process. For this purpose, thermoplastic polymeric materials are melted and fed into the spinning beam in liquid state using an extruder. From this radiation beam, molten material is fed into what is known as a spinneret. The spinneret usually comprises a spinneret plate provided with a plurality of holes, out of which individual capillaries (filaments) of fiber are extruded. In addition to the melt spinning process, wet spinning or solvent spinning process is also used for the production of spun fibers. Here, instead of melting, a highly viscous solution of the synthetic polymer is extruded through a die with micropores. If a large number of individual spinnerets are filled simultaneously and in parallel by the same flow of polymer melt, those skilled in the art refer to this as a multiple spinning process.

The polymer fibers produced in this way are used in textile and/or technical applications. In these applications, it is advantageous for the polymer fibers to have high mechanical strength so that post-treatment of the fibers can be carried out without problems, for example by drawing on a rolling mill. Additionally, it is advantageous for the polymer fibers to have low thermal shrinkage, especially when in non-woven form.

Modifying or equipping polymer fibers for the respective end use or for the necessary intermediate processing steps, such as drawing and/or crimping, usually involves a suitable softener or dressing applied to the prepared polymer fibers or to the surface of the polymer fibers to be treated. It is executed by applying .

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

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

In recent years, there has been a surge in the development of fiber systems that, on the one hand, satisfy the requirements described above and yet exhibit good biological degradability, and on the other hand, require little or no change so that existing processes and equipment can still be used.

Recently, in the development of textile systems that, on the one hand, can be produced at least partially from sustainable raw materials while satisfying the requirements described above, and on the other hand, with no or little changes so that existing processes and equipment can still be used. There were further surges.

In biologically degradable fibers, there is often a poor and poorly controllable relationship between the maximum lifetime of the product and the period during which expected biological degradation occurs, due to the temporal sequence of the degradation process being influenced by a variety of factors.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide polymer fibers whose biodegradability can be tailored to the intended end use, and which are also compatible with existing fiber post-treatments.

The present invention allows the degradation behavior of the fiber to be controlled using two components that behave differently in degradation.

The above needs are met using multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention, wherein the polymer fibers:

(i) comprising at least one component A and at least one component B,

(ii) Component A includes thermoplastic polymer A,

(iii) Component B comprises thermoplastic polymer B,

(iv) Component A additionally has at least one additive A that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers and component B has at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers. Or,

(v) Component B additionally has at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers and Component A does not have additive A that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers, or

(vi) Component A additionally has at least one additive A and Component B additionally has at least one additive B which together increase the biodegradability of the multi-component fiber, provided that (i) the thermoplastic polymer A and When thermoplastic polymer B is the same, additives A and B are different, or (ii) when additives A and B are the same, thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B exhibit different characteristics.

In the context of the present invention, increased biodegradability of a multi-component fiber means that this multi-component fiber degrades more rapidly compared to a multi-component fiber without additives A and/or B, as determined herein: is carried out according to at least one method selected from the following group: (i) Method: 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, PA, 2015, www.astm.org ), (ii) Method: 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) Method: 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) Method: ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 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 ASTM D6691-17, 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/D6691-17)), (ⅴ) Method: ASTM D5210-92(Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92), (ⅵ) Method: PAS 9017:2020(Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31, (vii) Method: 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 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)), (viii) Method: EN 13432:2000-12 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) Method: 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(Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide), (ⅹ) Method: EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527)] or (xi ) Method: ISO 17088:2021-04(Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01).

(staple fiber) When processed using a spinning process, the multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention are usually deposited as tow and continued on a rolling mill using conventional methods. It is drawn and then post-processed. The tow may further be processed directly, thereby providing full or partial deposition of the tow in what is known as a can.

When processed using a (filament) spinning process, the multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention can be cooled, drawn and deposited on a collection belt or wound onto a bobbin immediately after exiting the spinneret. The filaments can be further drawn for further processing in order to increase the orientation of the molecular chains, especially at a draw ratio of 0.5 to 3. It is also possible to texturize the filament.

The combination of different biodegradability for components A and B means that the biodegradability of products obtained from these multi-component polymer fibers can be designed and customized.

Textile fabrics, such as non-wovens, can be produced from multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention. When textile fabrics, especially non-woven fabrics, are compacted using thermobonding, it is advantageous for the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A to be at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B. In this embodiment, the multi-component polymeric fiber is preferably a dual-component fiber, where component A forms the core and component B forms 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 thermal bonding, the fibers are fused together at the points of contact or intersection. If component B, formed from thermoplastic polymer B with additive B, has a higher biological degradability than component A, formed from thermoplastic polymer A with additive A, then the contacts or intersections of the fibers will first decompose together, and the textile fabric, e.g. For example, nonwovens disintegrate faster, thereby increasing overall degradability.

It is also possible to provide multi-component fibers comprising a very rapidly biodegradable component A together with at least one additional component B, wherein component B has a lower rate of biological degradation than component A. have In this way, a stepwise biological degradation of the fibers can be achieved, which leads to technical benefits, such as warning of mechanical failures, relatively high residual stability of the fibers together with advanced biological degradation, etc.

Additional possible arrangements of components within a multi-component fiber in addition to core/shell structures, in which the core may be concentric or eccentric relative to the shell, include side-by-side structures, matrix structures, -Fibril structure and slice-of-cake structure or orange-slice structure.

Additionally, a very rapidly biologically degradable core (Component A) produced from thermoplastic polymer A and optionally Additive A may be combined with Additive B such that Component A is biodegradable only if Component B has already been biologically degraded. It is possible to provide multi-component polymer fibers, especially bi-component polymer fibers, in combination with an equally biologically degradable shell (component B) produced from thermoplastic polymer B. This is intended to accelerate decomposition, starting as soon as component B has decomposed to a sufficient degree.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a dual-component fiber having a core/shell structure, wherein

(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 includes thermoplastic polymer B,

(iv) The melting point of the thermoplastic polymer of component A in the core is at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer of component B in the shell; Preferably, the melting point is at least 10°C higher,

(v) Component A has a higher biodegradability than component B; Preferably, component A has at least one additive A, or

(vi) Component B has a higher biodegradability than component A; Preferably, component B is characterized by having at least one additive B.

Higher biological degradability is determined according to at least one method selected from the group formed by:

(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, PA, 2015, www .astm.org )],

(ii) Literature [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 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 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 ASTM D6691-17, 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/D6691-17))],

(v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI:　10.1520/D5210-92)],

(vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31],

(vii) 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 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 - 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) Literature [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 (Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide)],

(ⅹ) EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527) or

(xi) Document [ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01)].

Accordingly, the bi-component fiber according to the invention can be adapted for any intended purpose and any environment.

Since component A has a higher biological degradability than component B, first, the shell component B, which protects against biodegradability, is biologically degraded, and after this decomposition, component A decomposes. In this way, materials that are so biodegradable that they would normally not be fabricated can be used as component A, since their high biodegradability means that they are presumed to be unstable or unsuitable. The protective shell may also have a retarding action. That is, initially the shell at least slows biological degradability and allows rapid biological degradation to occur after a certain time or period of use.

Thus, for example, a textile fabric with one dual-component fiber according to the invention can be used in agriculture, where component A has high biodegradability according to ASTM D5338-15 or ASTM D6400 or ASTM D5988, but Initially protected by the shell. This type of textile fabric can be disposed of by controlled composting after its intended use.

A further advantage of the invention is that the textile fabrics with the bi-component fibers according to the invention can, on the one hand, be provided for, for example, agriculture, and be used as intended, but in case of incorrect disposal they can be It means that it can reach the ocean through it. For this purpose, it is advantageous to use component A, which has high biological degradability according to ASTM D6691. Incorrect disposal usually destroys or damages the protective shell, so controlled biological degradability is ensured, for example in the marine environment.

Since component B has a higher biological degradability than component A, the shell component B decomposes initially, which leads to a faster disintegration of the textile fabric with dual-component fibers according to the invention. In this way, for example, after their intended use, sanitary products can be composted in a controlled manner in municipal waste or sewage treatment plants.

In this way, a stepwise biological degradation is achieved, which leads to technical benefits, such as signaling of mechanical defects, relatively high residual stability of the fibers in case of advanced biological degradation, etc.

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

The individual linear density of the bi-component fibers according to the invention, preferably staple fibers, is preferably 0.5 to 30 dtex, especially 0.7 to 13 dtex. For some applications, a linear density of 0.5 to 3 dtex and a fiber length of <10 mm, especially <8 mm, particularly preferably <6 mm, especially preferably <5 mm are particularly suitable.

The cross-sectional ratio of the core to the total cross-sectional area of the fiber is 20% to 90% and the cross-sectional ratio of the shell to the total cross-sectional area of the fiber is 80% to 10%.

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

Particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers are those in which additives A and/or additive B are (i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrocarbons, carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides. , (iv) transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, (v) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers are those wherein thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyester and additives A and/or additive B comprise (i) a basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compound (in water). (pH>7 when dissolved), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) sugars, especially mono -saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (iv) transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, (v) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof. The above-mentioned aliphatic polyesters are distinguished from the polyesters of thermoplastic polymers A and polymer B with regard to their chemical properties. That is, the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and polymer B are araliphatic polyesters or copolyesters, which are produced from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters) by polycondensation. .

Particularly preferred additives A and/or additive B contain at least two substances, where the preferred combination is:

A) Basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water) in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO;

B) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides in combination with carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;

C) Aliphatic polyesters, optionally in combination with sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

The most preferred additive A for the partially aromatic “araliphatic” polyester or copolyester as thermoplastic polymer A is at least

- preferably basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions. CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO; and

- aliphatic polyesters, especially branched chains, optionally in combination with (i) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or (iii) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Contains aliphatic polyester without carbon atoms.

Among the particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers mentioned above, thermoplastic polymer A is a polyester and thermoplastic polymer B is a polyester different from the polyester of polymer A, preferably a co-polyester, and the respective additives A and additive B are independently selected from the following combinations:

- preferably basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions. CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO; and

- aliphatic polyesters, especially branched chains, optionally in combination with (i) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starches and/or (iii) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. An aliphatic polyester without carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers are thermoplastic polymers B wherein the thermoplastic polymer B is a polyolefin, especially a polypropylene polymer, and as additive B at least (i) metal compounds, especially transition metal compounds, and salts thereof, preferably at least two chemically different transition metal compounds. metal compounds and (ii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides, preferably in combination with synthetic and/or natural rubbers, and optionally (iii) sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, (iv) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or (v) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, phenolic antioxidant stabilizers and CaO may be present.

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

Among the additives described above, the following are particularly suitable because their degradability according to ASTM D6691 or according to ASTM D5338-15, ASTM D6400 or ASTM D5988 can be specifically adjusted: (i) basic alkalis and/or alkaline earths Compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , (ii) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides. , and (iii) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof, and combinations A), B) or C) of the above-mentioned.

thermoplastic polymer

The polymers used according to the invention are thermoplastic polymers.

The term “thermoplastic polymer” as used herein means a synthetic material capable of being deformed (thermoplastic) in a specific range of temperatures, preferably in the range from 25° C. to 350° C. This process is reversible. That is, it can enter its viscous state any number of times by cooling and reheating, as long as the material is not damaged too much by overheating, causing what is known as thermal decomposition, or by shaping the material under mechanical load. This is the difference between thermoplastic polymers and thermoset polymers and elastomers.

The thermoplastic polymers used according to the invention are preferably acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-(diene)-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-methacrylate copolymer, acrylonitrile-methylmethacrylate copolymer, chlorinated acrylic Ronitrile, polyethylene-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile-ethylene-propylene-styrene copolymer, cellulose acetobutyrate, cellulose acetopropionate, hydrated cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, cellulose nit. Latex, Cellulose Propionate, Cellulose Triacetate, Polyvinyl Chloride, Ethylene-Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Ethylene-Butylacrylate Copolymer, Ethylene-Chlorotrifluoroethylene Copolymer, Ethylene-Ethylacrylate Copolymer, Ethylene-Meta Crylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethylcellulose, polystyrene, polyfluoroethylene-propylene, methyl methacryl. Late-acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene copolymer, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methylcellulose, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 46, polyamide 6, polyamide 6-3-T, poly Amide 6-terephthalic acid copolymer, polyamide 66, polyamide 69, polyamide 610. Polyamide 612, polyamide 6I, polyamide MXD 6, polyamide PDA-T, polyamide, polyaryl ether, polyaryl ether ketone, Polyamidoimide, polyarylamide, polyamino-bis-maleimide, polyarylate, polybutene-1, polybutylacrylate, polybenzimidazole, poly-bis-maleimide, polyoxadiazobenzimidazole, Polybutyl terephthalate, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyester carbonate, polyaryl ether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyetherimide, polyether ketone, polyethylene oxide, polyaryl ether 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, polyvinylpyrrolidone, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride-butadiene copolymer. Polymer, styrene methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl styrene 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-vinylacetate copolymer, Vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, Vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride -It is a polymer selected from the group formed by acrylonitrile copolymers.

Among thermoplastic polymers, melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers are preferred, and polycondensates and polymerisates produced from bio-based starting materials are particularly preferred.

The term “synthetic biopolymer” as used herein designates a material composed primarily of raw materials of biological origin (sustainable raw materials). Unless their feedstock is renewable (e.g. bio-PE/green PE), this means that they can be replaced with conventional mineral oil-based materials or plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl. To be distinguished from chloride (PVC).

In a preferred embodiment, the multi-component fibers according to the invention are produced from biologically degradable synthetic biopolymers, wherein the term "biologically degradable" refers to, for example, at least one selected from the group formed by: Can be characterized, tested and/or determined according to the method of: (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, PA, 2015, www.astm.org )], (ii) literature [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 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 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 ASTM D6691-17, 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/D6691-17))], (v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92) )], (vi) Literature [PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), 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 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)) ], (viii) Literature [EN 13432:2000-12 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) literature [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 (Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide)], (ⅹ) literature [EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527)] or (xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01).

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

Preferred polyols are polyols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, polyalkylene etherglycols 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-hexanediol, ti Includes odiethanol, 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 are substituted or unsubstituted and linear or branched 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. Includes geomorphic non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids, wherein the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids may also contain heteroatoms within the ring.

Substituted non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids typically contain 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C6-C10 aryl and C1-C4 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, and suberic acid. Acid, 1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, 3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, 2,5-norbornane Contains dicarboxylic acids.

Preferred aromatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein these carboxylic acids are also contained within the aromatic ring. And/or the substituent may contain heteroatoms.

Substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids may contain 1 to 4 substituents, typically selected from halogen, C6-C10 aryl, and C1-C4 alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aromatic dicarboxylic acids include phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and furan dicarboxylic acid.

The above-mentioned aliphatic dicarboxylic acids may be together with the above-mentioned aromatic dicarboxylic acids in the form of copolymers or trimers; Non-limiting examples are polybutylene-adipate-terephthalate and bio-based PTA.

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers in the context of the present invention are aliphatic polyesters having repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, for example polyhydroxyalkanoates such as polyhydroxyvalerate and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxy valerate copolymers, polycaprolactone, furan dicarboxylic acid, and succinate-based aliphatic polymers (such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate). Particular examples include polyethylene oxalate, polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate and their compounds. It may be selected from blends and copolymers.

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

“Aliphatic polyester” is understood to mean a polyester having aliphatic monomers, typically at least approximately 50 mol%, preferably at least approximately 60 mol%, particularly preferably at least approximately 70 mol%, particularly preferably at least 95 mol%. It has to be.

In the context of the present invention, also very advantageous are thermoplastic polymers with a glass transition temperature greater than -125 °C, advantageously greater than -30 °C, preferably greater than 30 °C, particularly preferably greater than 50 °C and especially greater than 70 °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 -125 °C to 200 °C, in particular in the range from -125 °C to 100 °C.

Among thermoplastic synthetic biopolymers, the glass transition temperature is preferably greater than 20°C, advantageously greater than 25°C, preferably greater than 30°C, particularly preferably greater than 35°C and especially greater than 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, especially in the range from 40 °C to 50 °C.

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

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

Particularly preferred polyesters are those having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20000 g/mol, preferably in a narrow distribution or by end group titration, as determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards, such as PET, PEN, PLA, These are PBS and PEIT. More preferably, the polydispersity of these polymers is at least 1.7.

Polyesters of particular interest are those with a melting point of 250° C. to 260° C., such as PET.

Polyesters of particular interest are those with a melting enthalpy of (80%: 43 J/g; 100% crystalline/theoretical): 115 J/g, such as PET.

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

Polyesters of particular interest are those available commercially from Trevira GmbH, for example Trevira® T298.

Particularly preferred polyamides have a glass transition temperature in the range from 30 °C to 80 °C, especially in the range from 35 °C to 65 °C, particularly preferably in the range from 50 °C to 60 °C, where these values relate in particular to PA 6.6 and PA 6. .

Polyamides of particular interest are those with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10000 g/mol, preferably in a narrow distribution or by end group titration, as determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards, such as PA 6.6 and PA. It's 6.

Polyamides of particular interest are those having a melting point between 170°C and 280°C, more preferably between 200°C and 260°C, such as PA 6.6 and PA 6. Polyamides of particular interest are those with a crystalline melting enthalpy (100% crystalline) of 190° C., such as PA 6.6 and PA 6.

Polyamides of particular interest are those with a softening temperature of 204° C., such as PA 6.6 and PA 6.

Commercially available polyamides, such as nylon, Perlon or Grillon, are of particular interest.

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

Polyethylenes of special 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), polymethylpentene (PMP), polybutene- 1(PB-1); These are ethylene-octene copolymer, stereoblock PP, olefin block copolymer, and propylene-butane copolymer.

Particularly preferred polyolefins are PE, which has a glass transition temperature ranging from -100 °C to -35 °C, and PP, which has a glass transition temperature ranging from -10 °C to -5 °C.

Of particular interest are polyethylene with a melting point of 120°C to 135°C and polypropylene with a melting point of 158°C to 170°C.

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

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

Further suitable polymers are those having a melting point above 50°C, advantageously at least 75°C and preferably above 150°C. Particularly preferably, the melting point is in the range from 120°C to 285°C, especially in the range from 150°C to 270°C, especially preferably in the range from 175°C to 270°C.

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

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers according to the invention are thermoplastic polycondensates based on what are known as biopolymers, comprising lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, succinic acid, glycolic acid and/or furan dicarboxylic acids, preferably lactic acid and/ or contains repeating units of glycolic acid, especially lactic acid. Polylactic acid is particularly preferred in this regard.

Various high melting point synthetic biopolymers (melting point between 110°C and 270°C, preferably between 140°C and 270°C, more preferably between 180°C and 270°C), such as polyesters, such as polyesteramides, modified polyethylene terephthalate, poly Lactic acid (PLA), trimers based on polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyalkylene furanoates such as PEF, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (such as polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyal Phanoates (PHA) such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) or polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV) may be used in the present invention.

The term “polylactic acid” (PLA) is to be understood herein to mean a polymer made from 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 suitable conditions.

Polylactic acids particularly suitable according to the invention include poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), poly(L-lactide) Tide-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 (Germany) as Resomer ^® GL 903, Resomer ^® L 206 S, Resomer ^® L 207 S, Resomer ^® L 209 S, Resomer ^® L 210, Resomer ^® L 210 S, Resomer ^® LC 703 S, Resomer ^® LG 824 S, Resomer ^® LG 855 S, Resomer ^® LG 857 S, Resomer ® LR 704 S, Resomer ^® LR 706 S, Resomer ^{® LR} 708, Resomer ^® LR 927 S, Resomer ^® RG 509 S and Resomer ^® Other suitable polylactic acid polymers are commercially available from Natureworks, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Particularly advantageous polylactic acids for the purposes of the present invention are poly-D-, poly-L- or especially 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 and copolymers thereof, which are the primary components. contains lactic acid and contains a small proportion of co-polymerizable co-monomers, preferably less than 10 mol%.

Additional suitable materials include polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (e.g. polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate ( PHV) and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV).

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

The polylactic acid used according to the invention preferably has a number average of at least 500 g/mol, preferably at least 1000 g/mol, particularly preferably at least 5000 g/mol, suitably at least 10000 g/mol, especially at least 25000 g/mol. It has a molecular weight (Mn). On the other hand, the number average is preferably at most 1000000 g/mol, suitably at most 500000 g/mol, advantageously at most 100000 g/mol, especially at most 50000 g/mol. Number average molecular weights ranging from at least 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol have proven particularly advantageous in the context of the present invention.

The mass average molecular weight (Mw) of the preferred lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-, poly-L- or poly-D,L-lactic acid, is preferably in the range from 750 g/mol to 5000000 g/mol, preferably 5000 g/mol. to 1000000 g/mol, particularly preferably in the range from 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, especially in the range from 30000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, and the polydispersity of these polymers is advantageously between 1.5 and 5. It is a range.

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

Furthermore, the intrinsic viscosity of particularly suitable lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-, poly-L- or poly-D,L-lactic acid, measured in hexafluoro-2-propanol at 30° C., 0.1% polymer concentration, is 1.0 dl. /g to 2.6 dl/g, especially 1.3 dl/g to 2.3 dl/g.

Of particular interest is polylactic acid, which has a glass transition temperature of 50°C to 65°C.

Of particular interest is polylactic acid, which has a melting point of 155°C to 180°C.

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

The term "polyhydroxy fatty acid ester" (PHF) as used in the context of the present invention should preferably be understood to mean 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) cyanoate) (PHUD), poly(3-hydroxydodecanoate) (PHDD), poly(3-hydroxytetradecanoate) (PHTD), poly(3-hydroxypentadecanoate) (PHPD) , poly(3-hydroxyhexadecanoate) (PHHxD) and blends of the above-mentioned polymers.In addition to the above-mentioned homopolymers, polyhydroxy fatty acid ester copolymers, such as poly(3-hydroxypropionate-co) -3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP-3HB), poly (3-hydroxypropionate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HP-4HB), poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hyde) Roxybutyrate)(P(3HB-4HB)), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)(PHBV), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate- Blends of co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBV-HHx) and the above-mentioned copolymers can be used together or in combination with the above-mentioned homopolymers.

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 polymers used according to the invention preferably have a glass transition temperature in the range from -2°C to 62°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting point in the range from 100° C. to 177° C.

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

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a molecular weight of at least 200000 daltons, especially at least 220000 daltons, particularly preferably at least 250000 daltons, and at most 3000000 daltons or less, especially 2500000 daltons or less, particularly preferably 2000000 daltons or less. It has a number average molecular weight (Mn).

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

The term “succinate-based aliphatic polymer” should be understood to mean a polymer of the general formula:

In the above formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ represent a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon residue consisting of 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

Related examples are polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate.

Thermoplastic succinate-based aliphatic polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, for example Bionolle 1000, BioPBS.

The thermoplastic succinate polymers used according to the invention preferably have a glass transition temperature in the range from -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 point 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 5-10 g/10 min (190° C., 2.16 kg) as determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a number average molecular weight of at least 20000 daltons, especially at least 30000 daltons, particularly preferably at least 35000 daltons, and at most 140000 daltons or less, especially 120000 daltons or less, especially preferably 110000 daltons or less. It has (Mn).

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used in accordance with the invention preferably has a mass average molecular weight (Mw) that is about two times the number average molecular weight (Mn), 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 is polycaprolactone, which has a glass transition temperature of -45°C to 45°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a crystallization temperature of 70°C to 90°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a melting point between 60°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a melting enthalpy of 70-145 J/g.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20000 daltons to 140000 daltons, preferably in a narrow distribution or by end group titration, as determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards.

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

Thermoplastic polymer A

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

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, preference is given to melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers, especially polycondensates and polymers produced 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 produced by polycondensation from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters), wherein the polyols are substituted It may be a linear or branched polyol that is unsubstituted or unsubstituted.

Preferred polyols are polyols containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, polyalkylene etherglycols 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-hexanediol, ti These are odiethanol, 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 are substituted or unsubstituted and linear or branched 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. Includes geomorphic non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids, wherein the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids may contain heteroatoms within the ring.

Substituted non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids typically contain 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C6-C10 aryl and C1-C4 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, and suberic acid. Acid, 1,3-cyclopentane dicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, 2,5-norbornane Contains dicarboxylic acids.

Preferred aromatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein these carboxylic acids are contained within the aromatic ring and /Or the substituent may contain a heteroatom.

Substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids may have 1 to 4 substituents, typically selected from halogen, C6-C10 aryl, and C1-C4 alkoxy. Non-limiting examples of aromatic dicarboxylic acids include phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, and furan dicarboxylic acid.

Together with the above-mentioned aromatic dicarboxylic acids, the above-mentioned aliphatic dicarboxylic acids may also exist in the form of copolymers or trimers; Non-limiting examples are, for example, polybutylene-adipate terephthalate and bio-based PTAs.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, preferred melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers are aliphatic polyesters having repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates such as polyhydroxyvalerate and polyhydroxybutyrate- hydroxyvalerate copolymers, polycaprolactone, furan dicarboxylic acid, and succinate-based aliphatic polymers (such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate, and polyethylene succinate). Particular examples include polyethylene oxalate, polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate and their compounds. It may be selected from blends and copolymers.

Particularly 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 succinates. Nate-based aliphatic polymers such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate.

"Aliphatic polyester" is intended to mean those polyesters having aliphatic monomers, typically at least approximately 50 mol%, preferably at least approximately 60 mol%, particularly preferably at least approximately 70 mol%, particularly preferably at least 95 mol%. It must be understood.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, preference is given to thermoplastic polymers having a glass transition temperature greater than -125°C, advantageously greater than -30°C, preferably greater than 30°C, particularly preferably greater than 50°C and especially greater than 70°C. In the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is in the range from -125 °C to 200 °C, in particular in the range from -125 °C to 100 °C.

Among the thermoplastic polymers A, preferred thermoplastic synthetic biopolymers are those having a glass transition temperature preferably greater than 20°C, advantageously greater than 25°C, preferably greater than 30°C, particularly preferably greater than 35°C and especially greater than 40°C. In the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the glass transition temperature of the polymer is in the range from 35 °C to 55 °C, especially 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 from 40 °C to 70 °C, PHA and PHB with a glass transition temperature in the range from -40 °C to 62 °C, -45 °C PBS and PBS copolymers with a glass transition temperature ranging from -45°C, such as PBSA and polycaprolactone with a glass transition temperature ranging from -75°C to 45°C.

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

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

Polyesters of particular interest are those with a melting point of 250° C. to 260° C., such as PET.

Polyesters of particular interest are those with a melting enthalpy of (80%: 43 J/g; 100% crystalline/theoretical): 115 J/g, such as PET.

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

Polyesters of particular interest are those available commercially from Trevira GmbH, for example Trevira® T298.

Particularly preferred polyamides have a glass transition temperature in the range from 30 °C to 80 °C, especially in the range from 35 °C to 65 °C, particularly preferably in the range from 50 °C to 60 °C, where these values relate in particular to PA 6.6 and PA 6. .

Polyamides of particular interest are those with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 10000 g/mol, preferably in a narrow distribution or by end group titration, as determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards, such as PA 6.6 and PA. It's 6.

Polyamides of particular interest are those having a melting point between 170°C and 280°C, more preferably between 200°C and 260°C, such as PA 6.6 and PA 6. Polyamides of particular interest are those with a melt enthalpy of crystallization (100% crystal) of 190° C., such as PA 6.6 and PA 6.

Polyamides of particular interest are those with a softening temperature of 204° C., such as PA 6.6 and PA 6.

Commercially available polyamides, such as nylon, Perlon or Grillon, are of particular interest.

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

Polyethylenes of special 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), polymethylpentene (PMP), polybutene- 1(PB-1); These are ethylene-octene copolymer, stereoblock PP, olefin block copolymer, and propylene-butane copolymer.

Particularly preferred polyolefins are PE, which has a glass transition temperature ranging from -100 °C to -35 °C, and PP, which has a glass transition temperature ranging from -10 °C to -5 °C.

Of particular interest are polyethylene with a melting point of 120°C to 135°C and polypropylene with a melting point of 158°C to 170°C.

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

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

Further suitable polymers are those having a melting point above 50°C, advantageously at least 75°C and preferably above 150°C. Particularly preferably, the melting point is in the range from 120°C to 285°C, especially in the range from 150°C to 270°C, especially preferably in the range from 175°C to 270°C.

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

Particularly preferred synthetic biopolymers according to the invention are thermoplastic polycondensates based on what are known as biopolymers, comprising lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, succinic acid, glycolic acid and/or furan dicarboxylic acids, preferably lactic acid and/ or contains repeating units of glycolic acid, especially lactic acid. Polylactic acid is particularly preferred in this regard.

Various high melting point synthetic biopolymers (melting point between 110°C and 270°C, preferably between 140°C and 270°C, more preferably between 180°C and 270°C), such as polyesters, such as polyesteramides, modified polyethylene terephthalate, poly Lactic acid (PLA), trimers based on polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, polyalkylene furanoates such as PEF, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (such as polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyal Phanoates (PHA) such as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) or polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV) may be used in the present invention.

The term “polylactic acid” (PLA) should be understood to mean a polymer made from 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 suitable conditions.

Polylactic acids particularly suitable according to the invention include poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), poly(L-lactide) Tide-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 (Germany) as Resomer ^® GL 903, Resomer ^® L 206 S, Resomer ^® L 207 S, Resomer ^® L 209 S, Resomer ^® L 210, Resomer ^® L 210 S, Resomer ^® LC 703 S, Resomer ^® LG 824 S, Resomer ^® LG 855 S, Resomer ^® LG 857 S, Resomer ® LR 704 S, Resomer ^® LR 706 S, Resomer ^{® LR} 708, Resomer ^® LR 927 S, Resomer ^® RG 509 S and Resomer ^® Other suitable polylactic acid polymers are commercially available from Natureworks, LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

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

The expression “polylactic acid” refers generally to homopolymers of lactic acid, such as z. refers to y(L-lactic acid), poly(D-lactic acid), poly(DL-lactic acid), mixtures and copolymers thereof, which contain lactic acid as the primary component and in small proportions, preferably less than 10 mol%. Contains co-polymerizable co-monomers.

Additional suitable materials include polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyalkylene carbonates (e.g. polyethylene carbonate), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polyhydroxyvalerate ( PHV) and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer (PHBV).

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

The polylactic acid used according to the invention preferably has a number average of at least 500 g/mol, preferably at least 1000 g/mol, particularly preferably at least 5000 g/mol, suitably at least 10000 g/mol, especially at least 25000 g/mol. It has a molecular weight (Mn). On the other hand, the number average is preferably at most 1000000 g/mol, suitably at most 500000 g/mol, advantageously at most 100000 g/mol, especially at most 50000 g/mol. Number average molecular weights ranging from at least 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol have proven particularly advantageous in the context of the present invention.

The mass average molecular weight (Mw) of the preferred lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-, poly-L- or poly-D,L-lactic acid, is preferably in the range from 750 g/mol to 5000000 g/mol, preferably 5000 g/mol. to 1000000 g/mol, particularly preferably in the range from 10000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, especially in the range from 30000 g/mol to 500000 g/mol, and the polydispersity of these polymers is advantageously between 1.5 and 5. It is a range.

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

Furthermore, the intrinsic viscosity of particularly suitable lactic acid polymers, especially poly-D-, poly-L- or poly-D,L-lactic acid, measured in hexafluoro-2-propanol at 30° C., 0.1% polymer concentration, is 1.0 dl. /g to 2.6 dl/g, especially 1.3 dl/g to 2.3 dl/g.

Of particular interest is polylactic acid, which has a glass transition temperature of 50°C to 65°C.

Of particular interest is polylactic acid, which has a melting point of 155°C to 180°C.

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

The term "polyhydroxy fatty acid ester" (PHF) as used in the context of the present invention should be understood to mean the following polymers: poly(3-hydroxypropionate) (PHP), poly(3-hyde) Roxybutyrate) (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 blends of the above-mentioned polymers. In addition to the above-mentioned homopolymers, polyhydroxy fatty acid ester copolymers such as 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- Blends of 3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBV-HHx) and the above-mentioned copolymers can be used together or in combination with the above-mentioned homopolymers.

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 polymers used according to the invention preferably have a glass transition temperature in the range from -2°C to 62°C.

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a melting point in the range from 100° C. to 177° C.

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

The thermoplastic polyhydroxy fatty acid ester polymer used according to the invention preferably has a molecular weight of at least 200000 daltons, especially at least 220000 daltons, particularly preferably at least 250000 daltons, and at most 3000000 daltons or less, especially 2500000 daltons or less, particularly preferably 2000000 daltons or less. It has a number average molecular weight (Mn).

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

The term “succinate-based aliphatic polymer” should be understood to mean a polymer of the general formula:

In the above formula, R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , R ₄ represent a linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon residue consisting of 2 to 20 carbon atoms.

Related examples are polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate.

Thermoplastic succinate-based aliphatic polymers used according to the invention are commercially available, for example Bionolle 1000, BioPBS.

The thermoplastic succinate polymers used according to the invention preferably have a glass transition temperature in the range from -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 point 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 5-10 g/10 min (190° C., 2.16 kg) as determined according to ISO 1133-1:2011.

The thermoplastic succinate polymer used according to the invention preferably has a number average molecular weight of at least 20000 daltons, especially at least 30000 daltons, particularly preferably at least 35000 daltons, and at most 140000 daltons or less, especially 120000 daltons or less, especially preferably 110000 daltons or less. It has (Mn).

The thermoplastic succinate polymers used according to the invention usually have a mass average molecular weight (Mw) that is about two times the number average molecular weight (Mn), 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 is polycaprolactone, which has a glass transition temperature of -45°C to 45°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a crystallization temperature of 70°C to 90°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a melting point between 60°C and 180°C.

Of particular interest is polycaprolactone, which has a melting enthalpy of 70-145 J/g.

Of particular interest are polycaprolactones having a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 20000 daltons to 140000 daltons, preferably in a narrow distribution or by end group titration, as determined by gel permeation chromatography against polystyrene standards.

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

Thermoplastic polymer B

Thermoplastic polymer B is selected from the group of thermoplastic polymers mentioned above, and preferred embodiments of thermoplastic polymer B correspond to preferred embodiments of thermoplastic polymer A as 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, where polycondensates and polymers from bio-based starting materials are particularly preferred. Insofar as both thermoplastic polymers A and B are selected from the group formed by melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers, it is desirable to select biopolymers that differ with respect to their chemical properties and/or with respect to their melting points. In this embodiment, the multi-component polymeric fiber is preferably a dual-component 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. higher, preferably at least 10° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B.

Additives A and B

Additives A and B increase the biological degradability of the multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention, in particular the bi-component fibers according to the invention, in that these additives increase the biological degradability of thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B. increase

Multi-component polymeric fibers according to the invention, particularly preferred bi-component fibers, contain (i) at least one additive A in component A, or (ii) at least one additive B in component B, or (iii) It contains at least one additive A in component A and at least one additive B in component B. Additive A and additive B are different if at least one additive A is present in component A and at least one additive B is present in component B, or if at least one additive A is present in component A and at least one additive Additive A and additive B may be the same if thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different when B is present in component B. 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, additives A and B are

basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO

· Aliphatic polyesters, preferably aliphatic polyesters without branched carbon atoms, preferably polycaprolactone

· Fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate

Sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides

· Transesterification catalyst, 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 and

It is a mixture of the above-mentioned substances.

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 (pH>7 when dissolved in water), in particular carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates. , more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (v) transesterification, especially under basic conditions. Preference is given to multi-component polymeric fibers, especially bi-component polymeric fibers, selected from the group of catalysts, (vi) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers are those wherein thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyester and additives A and/or additive B comprise (i) a basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compound (in water). pH>7 on dissolution), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably (iv) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (v) ) Transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, (vi) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof. The above-mentioned aliphatic polyesters are distinguished from the polyesters of thermoplastic polymers A and polymer B with regard to their chemical properties. That is, the polyesters of thermoplastic polymer A and polymer B are araliphatic polyesters or copolyesters, which are produced from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters) using polycondensation. do.

Particularly preferred additives A and/or additive B contain at least two substances, where the preferred combination is:

A) Basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water) in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO;

B) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides in combination with carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;

C) aliphatic polyesters, optionally in combination with sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;

D) Fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate.

The most preferred additive A for the partially aromatic “araliphatic” polyester or copolyester as thermoplastic polymer A is at least

- basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions. and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO; and

- (i) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or (iii) cellulose, (iv) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl It contains aliphatic polyesters, especially aliphatic polyesters without branched chain carbon atoms, optionally in combination with stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof.

Among the particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers mentioned above, thermoplastic polymer A is a polyester and thermoplastic polymer B is a polyester different from the polyester of polymer A, preferably a co-polyester, and the respective additives A and additive B are independently selected from the following combinations:

- basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions. and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO; and

- (i) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (ii) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or (iii) cellulose, (iv) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl Aliphatic polyesters, especially aliphatic polyesters without branched carbon atoms, optionally in combination with stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned fatty acid esters are present and not optional.

Thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyolefin and additives A and/or additive B are (i) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (ii) metals. Compounds, especially transition metal compounds and their salts, (iii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides, (iv) synthetic rubber and/or natural rubber, (v) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose. Preference is given to multi-component polymer fibers, especially bi-component polymer fibers selected from the group of , and mixtures thereof. For polyolefins, additives A and/or Additive B is particularly preferred.

Particularly preferred bi-component polymer fibers are thermoplastic polymers B wherein the thermoplastic polymer B is a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene polymer, which as additive B contains at least (i) metal compounds, especially transition metal compounds, and salts thereof, preferably at least two chemically different compounds. transition metal compounds and (ii) unsaturated carboxylic acids or their anhydrides/esters/amides, preferably in combination with synthetic and/or natural rubbers, and optionally (iii) sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides. and oligosaccharides, (iv) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or (v) cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Additionally, phenolic antioxidant stabilizers and CaO may be present.

Thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprises at least one polyamide and additives A and/or additive B are (i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carboxylic acid. Bonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, especially preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides, (v) transesterification catalysts, 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 natural rubbers, (ix) carbohydrates, especially starches and/ Or multi-component polymer fibers, especially bi-component polymer fibers selected from the group of cellulose, and mixtures thereof are preferred.

Additive A is proportional to component A, preferably 0.005% to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 0.01% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of component A.

Additive B is proportional to component B, preferably 0.005% to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 0.01% to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of component B.

In order to obtain low weight ratios and as uniform distribution of additives within the components as possible, additives are preferably added to the polymer material in the extruder in the form of what are known as masterbatches.

The term “masterbatch” should be understood to mean granules added to the polymer melt during the spinning process. In this regard, the granules have a polymeric support material and at least one additive.

In order to ensure that small amounts of additives are added to the polymer, the additive/additives concentration in the masterbatch is preferably adjusted. Preferably, the masterbatch dosage during the spinning process is 0.1% to 30% by weight, particularly preferably 0.5% to 15% by weight.

heat sealing

For thermal bonding, particularly suitable thermoplastic polymers, copolymers and blends, especially thermoplastic biopolymers, are those with a high degree of fusion and crystallization enthalpies. Typically, polymers B are selected so that they have a certain degree of crystallinity or a latent heat of fusion (delta Hf) greater than approximately 25 joules per gram (“J/g”), particularly preferably greater than 35 J/g, especially greater than 50 J/g. It is selected in a way that Determination of latent heat of fusion (ΔHf), latent heat of crystallization (ΔHC), and crystallization temperature can be performed in particular in ASTM D-3418 (ASTM D3418-15, Standard Test Method for Transition Temperature and Enthalpies of Fusion and Crystallization of Polymers by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2015, www.astm.org) using differential scanning calorimetry (“DSC”).

Additional additives to thermoplastics A and B

The thermoplastic polymers, copolymers and blends described above, and in particular the biopolymers described above, have the usual additives such as, inter alia, antioxidants.

Additional common additives are pigments, stabilizers, surfactants, waxes, flow promoters, solid solvents, plasticizers and other materials, such as nucleating agents, that are added to improve the processability of the thermoplastic composition.

Multi-component fibers according to the invention, in particular bi-component fibers according to the invention, consist of at least 90% by weight of the above-described thermoplastic polymers, copolymers, blends, in particular thermoplastic biopolymers, typically approximately 10% by weight. less than, preferably less than approximately 8% by weight, particularly preferably less than approximately 5% by weight of additives, especially in the shell.

Multi-component fibers according to the invention, especially bi-component fibers according to the invention, may be continuous fibers, for example staple fibers, or what are known as continuous fibers (filaments).

Production of multi-component fibers

After spinning into a tow, the multi-component fibers according to the invention, in particular bi-component fibers, are combined with each other and post-processed in rolling mills using methods known in principle, in particular drawn and optionally also crimped or textured. do.

When processed after the (filament) spinning process, the multi-component polymer fibers according to the invention are cooled immediately after exiting the spinneret, drawn and deposited on a collection belt or preferably wound onto a bobbin. Additional steps include, inter alia, drawing, texturing and heat bonding of the filaments.

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

A number of production methods are available to produce nonwovens. In the production of spunbond, the intermediate steps of staple fiber production are not carried out. In particular, the multi-component fibers are swirled immediately after exiting the spinneret, preferably using an air stream, so that they are deposited as a non-woven fabric. The production of spunbonds is known to those skilled in the art and is described in, for example, Fourne (Synthetische Fasern [Synthetic Fibres]; 1995, Chapter 5.5).

In order to improve dispersibility or for further processing in a secondary spinning unit, especially into yarn, the fibers are preferably in the form of staple fibers. The length of the staple fibers is in principle not limited, but is generally 2 to 200 mm , preferably 3 to 120 mm, particularly preferably 4 to 60 mm.

The individual linear density of the multi-component fibers according to the invention, especially the bi-component fibers according to the invention, preferably staple fibers, is between 0.5 and 30 dtex, preferably between 0.7 and 13 dtex. For some applications, a linear density of 0.5 to 3 dtex and a fiber length of <10 mm, especially <8 mm, particularly preferably <6 mm, especially preferably <5 mm are particularly suitable.

The multi-component fibers according to the invention, especially the bi-component fibers according to the invention, preferably have a low hot air heat resistance in the range of 0% to 10%, preferably >0% to 8%, each measured at 110° C. have contractions.

The production of polymer fibers according to the invention is in principle carried out using usual processes. First, in some cases, the polymer is dried and fed into an extruder. Next, the molten material is spun using regular equipment with a suitable spinneret. The mass throughput from the spinneret outlet plate and the draw-off speed of the capillary are set to produce fibers with the desired linear density.

The formed fibers may be of different shapes, for example circular, oval, star-shaped, dog-bone shaped, barbell-shaped, kidney-shaped, triangular or polygonal, cloverleaf-shaped, horseshoe-shaped, lens-shaped, rod-shaped, toothed. may have wheel-shape, cloud-shape, x-shape, y-shape, o-shape, u-shape; This list is not limited and other suitable sections are also possible.

The fiber filaments produced according to the invention are collected into yarn and eventually into tow. The tow is initially deposited into cans for further processing. Large cable tows are produced by taking tow temporarily stored in cans.

The invention also relates to post-processing of cable tows produced using known processes; Usually this is 10-600 ktex using conventional rolling mills and special drawings. In the case of cable tow, the feeding speed into the drawing or drawing equipment is preferably 10 to 110 m/min (feeding speed). In this regard, other manufacturing methods can also be applied, which assist the drawing but do not have detrimental effects on the subsequent properties.

The drawing can be carried out in a single step or optionally using a two-step drawing process (in this connection see, for example, US 3 816 486). Before and during drawing, one or more finishes may be applied using conventional methods.

The drawing according to the invention is carried out with a drawing ratio of 1.2 to 6.0, preferably 2.0 to 4.0, especially when biopolymers are used, with a drawing temperature of the tow preferably between 30° C. and 100° C. Therefore, drawing is carried out in the glass transition temperature range for the tow to be drawn. The drawing according to the invention is carried out in the presence of steam, i.e. in what is known as a steam box, so that the fibers are drawn in a steam box. The steam box operates normally under a pressure of 3 bar.

By drawing in the presence of steam 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 24-360 ktex before drawing.

The drawing is preferably done in one step or multiple steps, where the godets of the drawing units may be at different temperatures and the drawing ratios between the drawing units may also be different. Preferably, the steam box is located between at least two drawing units. That is, the draw point for the fiber is within or adjacent to the steam box. All godets (usually 7 per drawing unit) have a temperature range of 30 - 250 °C. All drawing is preferably carried out at least partially or entirely within the steam box. Preferably, the steam box operates at a steam pressure of 3 bar.

Drawing can also be carried out cold, where “cold” means room temperature (approximately 20 - 35° C.).

The execution of each drawing and the selection of all parameters for the rolling mill are a function of the end use of the polymer and/or fiber.

For any crimping/texturing of the drawn fibers, customary methods of mechanical crimping using crimping machines known per se can be used. Preferably, a mechanical device for fiber crimp with steam support, such as a stuffer box, is used. However, crimped fibers, including, for example, three-dimensionally crimped fibers, can be obtained using other processes. To carry out the crimping, the tow is initially and usually adjusted to a constant temperature in the range from 50° C. to 100° C., preferably from 70° C. to 85° C., particularly preferably around 78° C., 1.0 to 2.0 kg/min, particularly preferably processed at a pressure on the tow feeding roll of 1.0 to 6.0 bar, particularly preferably approximately 2.0 bar, and a pressure in the crimping box of 0.5 to 6.0 bar, particularly preferably 1.5-3.0 bar, with steam at a rate of 1.5 kg/min. .

If smooth or randomly crimped fibers are relaxed and/or fixed in an oven or steam of hot air, this is also carried out at a maximum temperature of 130° C.

To produce staple fibers, smooth or randomly crimped fibers are taken, then cut and deposited into a compressed bale as a flock. The staple fibers of the invention are preferably cut on a mechanical cutting device located downstream of relaxation. To produce different types of tow, cutting may not be necessary. These types of tow are deposited and compressed in uncut form within the bale.

When the fiber according to the invention is in a crimped embodiment, the degree of crimp is preferably at least 2 crimp per cm (arch-shaped crimp), preferably at least 3 crimp per cm, preferably between 3 crimp per cm and per cm. 9.8 crimp and particularly preferably 3.9 crimp per cm to 8.9 crimp per cm. In applications for the production of textile fabrics, values for the degree of crimp of approximately 5 to 5.5 crimp per cm are particularly preferred. For the production of textile fabrics using the wet laid process, the degree of crimp must be set individually.

Dual-configuration of the core/shell (= core/shell) type with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as thermoplastic polymer A and additive A in the core and polypropylene (PP) as thermoplastic polymer B and additive B in the shell. Typical methods for producing staple fibers include:

- PET raw materials are dried at temperatures below 180°C, typically for no more than 4-6 h; Typically, polypropylene (PP) does not require drying;

- Melt extrusion is typically performed using an extruder with one or more screws;

- The dual-component spinneret configuration is concentric or eccentric with PP as the shell material and PET as the core component;

- For the core the extruder melt temperature is typically in the range of 250-300 °C for PET and for the shell material it is typically in the range of 220-270 °C for PP;

- Additives are added at a level of 1-3 wt.-% at the extruder feed for both shell and core, typically in the form of a masterbatch;

- The fiber quench is typically crossflow and the air temperature is typically in the range of 18-24°C;

- Typical fiber drawdown speeds range from 800-1300 m/min;

- Fiber drawing can be single or two-step drawing with a draw ratio of not more than 4 and heat setting at 110-130 ° C.

Core/shell (= core/shell) type having polyethylene terephthalate polymer (PET) as thermoplastic polymer A and additive A in the core and polyethylene terephthalate copolymer (coPET) and additive B as thermoplastic polymer B in the shell. Typical methods for producing bi-component fibers include:

- PET raw materials are dried at temperatures below 180°C, typically for no more than 4-6 h;

- Melt extrusion is typically performed using an extruder with one or more screws, one for the shell material (coPET) and one for the core material (PET);

- The dual-component spinneret configuration is concentric or eccentric with coPET as the shell material and PET as the core component;

- Extruder melt temperature typically ranges from 250-300 °C;

- Additives are added at a level of 1-3 wt.-% at the extruder feed for both shell and core, typically in the form of a masterbatch;

- The fiber quench is typically cross-flow or in-flow or radial out-flow, and the air temperature is typically in the range of 18-50° C.;

- Typical fiber drawdown speeds range from 400-1800 m/min, preferably 1400 m/min;

- Fiber draw is less than or equal to 4.5, specifically a draw ratio of 2.5 to 3.5, a finishing bath temperature of not more than 80° C., if present, a godet temperature of not more than 70° C. before the steam-bath, specifically not more than 30° C., and a temperature of not more than 80° C. after the stretch point. The drawing may be single or two-stage with heat setting, typically in a hot air oven, at temperatures up to 190°C.

Textile fabrics can be produced from fibers according to the invention; They also constitute the subject matter of the present invention.

textile fabric

The term “textile fabric” as used in the context of this specification should be interpreted in its broadest sense. Accordingly, they can be any structure containing fibers according to the invention produced using techniques for producing fabrics. Examples of such textile fabrics are nonwovens based on staple fibers, preferably produced using heat bonding, in particular wet laid nonwovens or dry laid nonwovens. Other examples of nonwovens are carded or airlaid nonwovens based on staple fibers or nonwovens, preferably produced using melt blown and/or spunbond filament processes. Meltblown processes (e.g., "Complete Textile Glossary", Celanese Acetate LLC, from 2000 or in "Chemiefaser-Lexikon, Robert Bauer, 10th edition, 1993) and electrospinning processes are most suitable.

To produce a nonwoven using a spunbond filament process, freshly spun fibers, preferably freshly spun bi-component fibers, can be collected on a collection conveyor and accumulated to a certain thickness to obtain a spunbond nonwoven. The spunbond nonwoven may be further compacted using, for example, a hot embossing process using an embossing roller or a known needling/waterjet process to further entangle the nonwoven. If dual-component fibers are used, where the dual-component fibers have higher and lower melting point components, the nonwoven is consolidated by heat bonding using the lower melting point component.

In the case of the above-mentioned thermal bonding, the textile fabric containing the bi-component/multi-component fibers is heated in an oven, e.g., at a temperature lower than the melting point of the lower melting point component (e.g. shell) of the multi-component fibers. It is fed into a vented dryer containing one or more heating zones used to heat the air to a temperature higher but lower than the melting point of the higher melting point component (e.g., core). This heated air flows through the textile fabric, typically a non-woven material, causing the lower melting point components to melt and form a fusion between the fibers, thereby thermally stabilizing the fabric.

Typically, the air flowing through a heat sealing oven is at a temperature ranging from 100°C to approximately 180°C. Residence time in the oven is approximately 180 seconds or less. However, it should be understood that the parameters of the thermal bonding oven are a function of the material thickness and the type of polymer used.

Ultrasonic compaction techniques can also be used, which employ stationary or rotating horns and rotating patterning embossing rollers. Examples of such techniques include, but are not limited to, US Patent No. 3 939 033, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; US Patent No. 3 844 869; US Patent No. 4 259 399; US Patent No. 5 096 532; It is described in US Patent No. 5 110 403 and US Patent No. 5 817 199. As an alternative, the nonwoven can be thermally spot welded to provide a fabric with many small, discrete bonding points. The process generally involves guiding the fabric between two heated rollers, for example a roller with an engraved pattern and a second bonding roller. The engraving roller is patterned in such a way that the web does not bond over its entire surface, and the second roller can be smooth or patterned.

For functional and/or aesthetic reasons, various patterns have been developed for engraving rollers. Examples of bonding patterns include US Pat. No. 3 855 046, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes; US Patent No. 5 620 779; US Patent No. 5 962 112; US Patent No. 6 093 665; Including, but not limited to, those described in US Design Patent No. 428 267 and US Design Patent No. 390 708.

The basis weight of textile fabrics, especially non-wovens, is 10 to 500 g/m2, preferably 25 to 450 g/m2, especially 30 to 300 g/m2.

The multi-component fibers according to the invention, in particular the bi-component fibers according to the invention, especially textile fabrics produced from non-wovens, can be produced in a known way using calendar rollers or can be thermally compacted in an oven. You can.

Multi-component fibers according to the invention, for example textile fabrics produced from non-wovens, are usually produced using thermal bonding due to the different melting points of the components. This joins the fibers together at the points of contact or intersection. Insofar as component B, produced from thermoplastic polymer B with additive B, has a higher biological degradability than component A, produced from thermoplastic polymer A with additive B, the points of contact or intersection between the fibers decompose first and the textile fabric, e.g. For example, nonwovens disintegrate faster, resulting in increased overall degradability.

As used herein, textile fabrics, especially non-wovens, may still include other fibers depending on the intended purpose in addition to the multi-component fibers. In this connection, particular emphasis should be placed on “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 are included in the present invention.

Textile fabrics include fibers of the above-mentioned biologically degradable polymeric materials that can be mixed with other fibrous materials, chemical fibers, preferably natural fibers such as cotton or cellulose fibers, fibers of animal origin such as wool or other biologically degradable fibers. Includes. When mixing these different fibers, textile fabrics with fiber gradients can be produced. An example of cellulosic fiber is softwood kraft pulp fiber. Softwood kraft pulp fibers are obtained from softwoods such as cedar, juniper, hemlock spruce, Douglas fir, true spruce, pine (e.g., southern pine), spruce (e.g., black spruce), combinations thereof, etc. cellulosic fibers such as, but not limited to, northern, western and southern softwood species. Northern softwood kraft pulp fibers can be used in the present invention. Other cellulosic materials suitable for use in the present invention are bleached, sulfated wood cellulosic materials containing primarily softwood fibers. Fibers with smaller average lengths may also be used in the present invention. An example of a suitable cellulosic material fiber having a low average length is hardwood kraft pulp fiber. Hardwood kraft pulp fibers are derived from hardwoods and include, but are not limited to, fibers from cellulosic materials such as eucalyptus, maple, beech, aspen, etc. Eucalyptus kraft pulp fibers may be particularly desirable for increasing softness, increasing gloss, increasing opacity, and modifying the pore structure of the sheet to increase its absorbency. Typically, the cellulosic material fibers comprise approximately 30% to approximately 95%, in some embodiments approximately 40% to approximately 90%, and in some embodiments approximately 50% to approximately 85% by weight of the nonwoven. .

Additionally, highly absorbent materials may be included in the nonwoven fabric. Superabsorbent materials are materials that swell in water and can absorb 20 times their weight and in some cases at least 30 times their weight in an aqueous solution containing 0.9% by weight sodium chloride. Superabsorbent materials can be natural, synthetic and modified natural polymers and materials. Examples of synthetic superabsorbent polymers include poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid), poly(acrylamide), polyvinyl ether), vinyl ethers and maleic anhydride copolymers with alpha olefins, polyvinylpyrrolidone), Alkali metal and ammonium salts of poly(vinylmorpholinone), polyvinyl alcohol) and mixtures and copolymers thereof may be included. Other highly absorbent materials include natural and modified natural polymers such as hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-grafted starch, acrylic acid-grafted starch, methylcellulose, chitosan, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and natural gums such as Includes alginate, xanthan gum, carob bean gum, etc. Blends of natural and fully or partially synthetic superabsorbent polymers may also be useful in the present invention. If a superabsorbent material is used, it may comprise approximately 30% to approximately 95%, in some embodiments approximately 40% to approximately 90%, and in some embodiments approximately 50% to approximately 85% by weight of the nonwoven. It can be occupied.

The textile fabrics herein, especially the nonwovens mentioned above, can be used for absorbent articles, such as absorbent body care articles, such as diapers, training pants, absorbent underpants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene wear (e.g. sanitary napkins), swimwear. , baby wipes, etc.; Absorbent medical articles such as clothing, window coverings, bedding, bed pads, bandages, absorbent drapes and medical wipes; Wipes for the food industry; It may be used for clothing items, etc., but is not limited thereto. Materials and processes suitable for the production of absorbent articles of this type are known to those skilled in the art. Typically, an absorbent article includes 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 core. Nonwovens of the present invention can be used with one or more liquid-impermeable, liquid-permeable and/or absorbent layers.

The textile fabrics herein, especially the non-woven fabrics described above, are not limited to the applications mentioned above and can be used in any application, for example in hygiene, medicine, personal care, household (fiber filling, etc.), clothing, movement/transport (cars, trains) , aircraft, ships), engineering (insulation), agriculture, packaging, filtration and any single-use applications.

Test Methods:

Unless otherwise stated herein, the following measurement or test methods were employed:

Linear Density:

Determination of linear density was carried out according to DIN EN ISO1973.

biodegradability

Determination, testing and details are in accordance with at least one method selected from the group formed by: (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, PA, 2015, www.astm.org )], (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) literature [ASTM D5511 (ASTM D5511-11 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic digestion Conditions (DOI: 10.1520) (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 a Defined Microbial Consortium or Natural Sea Water Inoculum) (DOI: 10.1520/D6691-09) and ASTM D6691-17, 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/D6691-17))], (v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI : 10.1520/D5210-92)], (vi) Literature [PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), 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 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)) ], (viii) Literature [EN 13432:2000-12 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) literature [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 (Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide)], (ⅹ) literature [EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527)] or (xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01).

Number average molecular weight and mass average molecular weight (Mn/Mw)

Determination using gel permeation chromatography against suitable polymer standards with narrow distribution, especially DIN 55672 (Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)).

intrinsic viscosity

Determined by GPC in chloroform at 25°C, 0.1% polymer concentration.

Glass transition temperature and melting point

In particular, determination of the glass transition temperature according to DIN EN ISO 11357-2:2020-08 (Plastics - Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) - Part 2: Determination of glass transition temperature and the step height related to glass transition).

In particular, determination of melting point according to 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 by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using the following protocol:

DSC measurements performed under nitrogen and corrected for indium. Nitrogen flow 50 mL/min; Fiber weight ranges from 2 to 3 mg.

Temperature range from -50 °C to 210 °C at 10 K/min, then isothermal for 5 min and finally return to -50 °C at 10 K/min.

Typically, the final temperature was always approximately 50°C higher than 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 a temperature appropriate for the polymer, approximately between 190°C and 280°C. In particular, using ASTM D2196 - 20 (Standard Test Methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational Viscometer).

apparent viscosity

The determination was carried out as described in WO 2007/070064.

melt flow index

ASTM Test Method D1238-13 (ASTM D1238-13, Standard Test Method for Melt Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Extrusion Plastometer, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2013, www.astm.org) or DIN EN ISO 1133-1:2012 -03 (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 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). The melt flow index is, for example, the extrusion rheometer opening (e.g., 0.0825 inch diameter) when a force of 2160 grams is applied, for example, for 10 minutes, at 190° C. It is the weight (in grams) of polymer that can be pressed through.

latent heat of melting

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

heat shrink

Twelve fibers (test specimens) were prepared from the sample cable tow. They were clamped at one end within the end block with the help of tweezers, and a decrimping weight was held at the other end. The measurements were carried out with the help of a dual-component fiber of core/shell type with a linear density of 2.2 dtex; The decrimped weight was 190 mg.

The end block with the test specimen was fixed into the support stand so that the test specimen hung freely on the support stand under pre-tension. At this time, the selected starting length (usually 150 mm) was marked on each fiber. This was done with the help of marking lines on the support stand and marking points were applied to the test specimen. After marking, the filled end blocks were taken and repositioned on the plate. At this time, the de-crimping weight was removed and the free fiber ends were clamped into the second end block. The test specimen spanning the two end blocks was suspended from a wire frame not under tension. This wire frame was introduced into the center of a shrink oven preheated to the correct processing temperature (typical temperatures are 200 °C, 110 °C, and 80 °C). After a treatment time of 5 min, the wire frame was removed from the oven. After a cooling period for the end blocks of at least 30 min, the end blocks with the test specimens were removed from the frame and the fibers were repositioned on the plate. A back measurement could then be performed. For this purpose, the test specimen was once again loaded with a de-crimped weight and hung on a support stand. For reverse measurements, the adjustable marking line on the support stand was positioned so that each upper edge of the marking point covered the marking line. Then, for each individual fiber, the length between markings could be read from a counter on a support stand with an accuracy of 1/10 mm.

The average value for all 12 test specimens was used.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Example 1

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

For PET, melt extrusion is carried out by an extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 280-290 ° C.

Additive A is added to the extruder feed at a level of 2 wt.-% masterbatch dosage. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as a carrier and additives, including aliphatic polyester and CaCO3.

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

Fiber drawing is carried out by single or two-step drawing with a draw ratio of not more than 4 and the final dtex is 2.5 dtex. Heat setting is carried out at 110-130 °C.

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

The produced fibers are tested according to ASTM D5511 and the results are obtained after 208 days:

Figure 1 shows biodegradation compared to the control group.

Example 2

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and polypropylene (PP) resin having the following characteristics, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (thermoplastic polymer A) as the core and polypropylene (PP) (thermoplastic polymer B) as the shell. A bi-component fiber is spun with:

Melt extrusion is carried out for PET by an extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 270 °C and for PP by another extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 250 °C.

Additive A at a level of 2 wt.-% masterbatch dosage is added to the PET via the extruder feed. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as a carrier and additives, including aliphatic polyester and CaCO3.

Additive B is added to the PP at the extruder feed at a level of 2 wt.-% masterbatch dosage. This masterbatch consists of PP as a carrier and additives, which include transition metal compounds and unsaturated carboxylic acids.

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

Fiber drawing is carried out by single or two-step drawing with a draw ratio of not more than 4 and the final dtex is 2.5 dtex. Heat setting is carried out at 110-130 °C.

The produced fibers are cut into staple fibers with a length of 38 mm, and non-woven fabrics are produced by heat bonding.

The nonwoven fabric thus produced is stored in a sealed vacuum bag as a control and other nonwoven fabrics thus produced are tested over a period of one year (365 days) at 60° C. and 60% relative humidity.

Figure 2a-e shows the degradation compared to the control group. Decomposition of the PP outer shell is clearly visible. Figure 2e illustrates the decomposition of a PET core as the shape of the pieces clearly changes from a mushroom-shape typical of PET to a shape that indicates that the material has become brittle. In this test, the fiber was stressed axially in a reproducible manner (at a defined rate) 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, where degradation was verified according to ASTM D5511.

Example 3

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin as the core and co-polyethylene terephthalate (coPET) as the shell (thermoplastic polymer A) from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and co-polyethylene terephthalate (coPET) resin having the following properties: A bi-component fiber with (thermoplastic polymer B) is spun:

Melt extrusion is carried out by an extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 290 °C for PET and by another extruder with one or more screws at a temperature of 280 °C for coPET.

Additive A at a level of 2 wt.-% masterbatch dosage is added to the PET via the extruder feed. This masterbatch consists of PET polyester as a carrier and additives, including aliphatic polyester and CaCO3.

Additive B is added to the coPET via the extruder feed at a level of 2 wt.-% masterbatch dosage. This additive B is identical to additive A.

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

Fiber drawing is carried out by single or two-stage drawing with a draw ratio of up to 4.5 and the final dtex is 2.5 dtex. Heat fixation is performed at 80 °C.

The produced fibers are cut into staple fibers with a length of 38 mm, and non-woven fabrics are produced by heat bonding.

The produced fibers meet all imposed requirements. The core of this bicomponent fiber has the same material composition (polymer and additives) as the fiber described in Example 1, where degradation was verified according to ASTM D5511. The shells differ in that the melting point of the copolyester is lower than the polyester of the core, which allows the fibers to be used for heat-bonded nonwovens.

Claims (25)

(i) at least one component A and at least one component B,
(ii) component A comprising thermoplastic polymer A,
(iii) contains component B comprising thermoplastic polymer B,
(iv) Component A additionally has at least one additive A that increases the biological degradability of the multi-component fiber and Component B has at least one additive A that additionally increases the biological degradability of the multi-component fiber. without additive B, which increases
(v) component B additionally has at least one additive B that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers and component A does not have additive A that increases the biodegradability of the multi-component fibers, or
(vi) Component A additionally has at least one additive A and Component B additionally has at least one additive B which together increase the biodegradability of the multi-component fiber, provided that (i) the thermoplastic wherein if polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are the same, then additives A and B are different; or (ii) if additives A and B are the same, then thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different. . According to paragraph 1,
Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B are selected from 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-butylacrylate copolymer, ethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-methacrylate copolymer, ethylene-meta Crylic acid copolymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, ethylene-butene copolymer, ethylcellulose, polystyrene, polyfluoroethylene-propylene, methyl methacrylate-acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene. Copolymer, methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer, methylcellulose, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, polyamide 46, polyamide 6, polyamide 6-3-T, polyamide 6-terephthalic acid copolymer, poly Amide 66, polyamide 69, polyamide 610. Polyamide 612, polyamide 6I, polyamide MXD 6, polyamide PDA-T, polyamide, polyaryl ether, polyaryl ether ketone, polyamideimide, polyarylamide, Polyamino-bis-maleimide, polyarylate, polybutene-1, polybutylacrylate, polybenzimidazole, poly-bis-maleimide, polyoxadiazobenzimidazole, polybutyl terephthalate, polycarbohydrate Nate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyester carbonate, polyaryl ether ketone, polyether ether ketone, polyether imide, polyether ketone, polyethylene oxide, polyaryl ether 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, polyvinylpyrrolidone, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride-butadiene copolymer, styrene methyl methacrylate copolymer. Polymer, styrene-methyl styrene 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 biopolymer. According to paragraph 2,
The synthetic biopolymer may be one or more aliphatic, araliphatic polyesters or copolyesters produced from polyols and aliphatic and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives (anhydrides, esters) by polycondensation; , wherein the polyol may be substituted or unsubstituted and the polyol may be a linear or branched polyol. According to paragraph 3,
(i) the polyol contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and (ii) the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid includes aliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms and cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched non-aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by carboxylic acids, wherein the cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids may also contain heteroatoms in the ring, ( iii) Aromatic dicarboxylic acids include substituted or unsubstituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids selected from the group formed by aromatic dicarboxylic acids containing 6 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein these carboxylic acids also have an aromatic ring. may contain heteroatoms within and/or within the substituents, and (iv) the substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid contains 1 to 4 substituents selected from halogen, C6-C10 aryl and C1-C4 alkoxy. -Component polymer fiber. According to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Aliphatic polyesters in which the synthetic biopolymer has repeating units of at least 4 carbon atoms, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates such as polyhydroxyvalerate and polyhydroxybutyrate-hydroxyvalerate copolymer, polycapro selected from the group formed by lactones, furan dicarboxylic acids, and succinate-based aliphatic polymers (e.g. polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate), a particular example being polyethylene oxalate. , polyethylene malonate, polyethylene succinate, polypropylene oxalate, polypropylene malonate, polypropylene succinate, polybutylene oxalate, polybutylene malonate, polybutylene succinate and blends and copolymers of these compounds. A multi-component polymer fiber, characterized in that it can be selected. According to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Synthetic biopolymers include aliphatic polyesters containing repeating units of lactic acid (PLA), hydroxy fatty acids (PHF) (also known as polyhydroxyalkanoates, PHA), especially hydroxybutanoic acid (PHB), and succinates- Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that they are based on aliphatic polymers, such as polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate adipate and polyethylene succinate. According to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymers A and/or B have a glass transition temperature in the range from -125 °C to 200 °C, especially in the range from -125 °C to 100 °C. According to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymers A and/or B have a melting point in the range from 120 °C to 285 °C, especially in the range from 150 °C to 270 °C, particularly preferably in the range from 175 °C to 270 °C. According to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Thermoplastic polymers A and/or B are selected from the group formed by polylactic acid (PLA) and copolymers thereof, polyhydroxy fatty acid esters (PHF) and copolymers thereof, and blends of these polymers. a multi-component polymer fiber. According to any one of claims 1 to 9,
At least thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B is selected from the group formed by melt spinnable synthetic biopolymers, wherein polycondensates and polymerisates from bio-based starting materials Characterized by particular preference, multi-component polymer fibers. According to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A multi-component polymer fiber is a dual-component fiber, wherein component A forms the core and component B forms the shell, and wherein the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component A is the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer in component B. A multi-component polymer fiber characterized in that it is at least 5° C. higher, preferably at least 10° C. higher. According to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The fibers may be combined with (i) at least one additive A in component A, or (ii) at least one additive B in component B, or (iii) at least one additive A in component A and at least one additive in component B. Additive B, but 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, and thermoplastic polymer A and thermoplastic polymer B are different. Multi-component polymer fiber, characterized in that additive A and additive B may be the same. According to any one of claims 1 to 12,
Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that additives A and B are selected from the following group:
(i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives. , especially preferably CaO,
(ii) aliphatic polyester,
(iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate,
(iv) Sugars, especially monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides,
(v) transesterification catalyst, 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, and
Mixtures of the above-mentioned substances. According to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Additive A preferably represents 0.005% to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 0.01% to 5% by weight relative to component A, relative to the total weight of component A, and additive B makes up proportional to component B. Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that they represent preferably 0.005% to 20% by weight, particularly preferably 0.01% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of element B. According to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Multi-component polymeric fibers, characterized in that the fibers are continuous fibers, preferably staple fibers, or are continuous filaments, preferably bi-component fibers. According to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Multi-component polymer fibers, characterized in that the fibers have increased biodegradability compared to multi-component fibers without additives A and/or B, and wherein the biodegradability is determined according to at least one method selected from the following group: :
(i) Method: 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, PA, 2015, www .astm.org ),
(ii) Method: 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) Method: 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) Method: ASTM D6691 (ASTM D6691-09 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 ASTM D6691- 17, 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/D6691-17)),
(v) Method: ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92),
(vi) Method: PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), ISBN 978 0 539 17478 6; 2021-10-31,
(ⅶ) Method: 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 Soil (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-18), ASTM D5988-03 Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil of Plastic Materials or Residual Plastic Materials After Composting (DOI: 10.1520/D5988-03)),
(viii) Method: EN 13432:2000-12 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) Method: 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(Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide),
(ⅹ) Method: EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527) or
(xi) Method: ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01). (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) the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer of component A in the core is at least 5° C. higher than the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer of component B in the shell, preferably the melting point is at least 10° C. higher,
(v) Component A has a higher biodegradability than Component B; Preferably, component A has at least one additive A, or
(vi) Component B has a higher biodegradability than Component A; Preferably, a dual-component fiber with a core/shell structure, characterized in that component B has at least one additive B. According to clause 17,
Dual-component fibers, characterized in that biodegradability is determined according to at least one method selected from 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, PA, 2015, www .astm.org )],
(ii) Literature [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 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 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 ASTM D6691- 17, 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/D6691-17))],
(v) ASTM D5210-92 (Anaerobic Degradation in the Presence of Sewage Sludge) (DOI: 10.1520/D5210-92),
(vi) PAS 9017:2020 (Plastics - Biodegradation of polyolefins in an open-air terrestrial environment - Specification), 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 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 - 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) Literature [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 (Method by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide)],
(x) Literature [EN 14995:2007-03 - Plastics - Evaluation of compostability (DOI: 10.31030/9730527)] or
(xi) ISO 17088:2021-04 (Specifications for compostable plastics) (ICS 83.080.01). According to claim 17 or 18,
Additive A and/or Additive B are selected from (i) basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water), especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and Alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO, (ii) aliphatic polyesters, (iii) fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, (iv) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, (v) transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, (vi) carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof. Dual-component fibers, characterized in that they are selected from the group formed. According to claim 17, 18 or 19,
Thermoplastic polymer A and/or thermoplastic polymer B comprise at least one polyester, provided that when additives A and/or B are aliphatic polyesters, the polyester is an aromatic aliphatic polyester or a copolyester. Component fiber. According to any one of claims 17 to 20,
Dual-component fibers, characterized in that additive A and/or additive B are selected from the group formed by:
A) Basic alkali and/or alkaline earth compounds (pH>7 when dissolved in water) in combination with transesterification catalysts, especially under basic conditions, especially carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sulfates, especially preferably CaCO ₃ , and alkaline additives, particularly preferably CaO;
B) sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides in combination with carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose, and mixtures thereof;
C) aliphatic polyesters in combination with sugars, especially mono-saccharides, di-saccharides and oligo-saccharides, or carbohydrates, especially starch and/or cellulose;
D) Fatty acid esters, preferably C1-C40-alkyl stearates, more preferably C2-C20-alkyl stearates, most preferably ethyl stearate, and mixtures thereof. Multi-component polymer fibers as claimed in claims 1 to 16 or bi-component polymer fibers as claimed in claims 17 to 21 for the production of textile fabrics. Uses of fiber. A textile fabric containing multi-component polymeric fibers as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 or bi-component fibers as claimed in any of claims 17 to 21. According to clause 23,
The textile fabric is preferably a nonwoven based on staple fibers, especially a wet laid nonwoven or dry laid nonwoven, wherein the nonwoven is preferably compacted by thermobonding. A textile fabric, characterized in that it is (consolidated). According to claim 23 or 24,
Textile fabric, in particular a non-woven fabric, characterized in that it has a basis weight of 10 to 500 g/m2, preferably 25 to 450 g/m2, especially 30 to 300 g/m2.