WO2009135813A1 - Degradable material - Google Patents

Abstract

A composition containing the components (A), (B-I) and (B-Il) wherein component (A) is an organic polymer; component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (I) N(X₁)(X₂)(X₃) wherein X₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl; X₂ is hydrogen, C₁C₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl or C₅-C₈cycloalkyl; or X₁ and X₂, together with the nitrogen atom, form morpholino; X₃ is C₁C₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1, 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl, C₅-C₈cycloalkyl or a group of the formula (a) or the radicals X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (b), (c) or (d) Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ are independently of one another hydrogen, C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; Y₂₁ and Y₂₂ are independently of one another a group -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) or morpholino; Y₃₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl; Y₄₁ and Y₄₂ are independently of one another C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl; Y₅₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl; if X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (d), X₁ can additionally be C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; and component (B-Il) is an inorganic or organic salt of a transition metal.

Description

Degradable material

The present invention relates to a composition having accelerated degradability triggered by light and/or heat and/or humidity and containing an organic polymer, e.g. a natural and/or a synthetic polymer, and a particular degradation accelerator which is characterized by an alkyl or alkenyl group of more than 8 carbon atoms or a morpholino group; to an article made of said composition; to the use of the degradation accelerator for controlling the weathering resistance and the degradation of a polymer article; as well as to several novel degradation accelerators.

Plastic articles find widespread applications in everyday life because of their durability in use and cost effectiveness. With proper stabilization, most commercial plastics are made to last for years.

In recent years however, environmental concern has lead to the development of so called biodegradable materials, of diverse origin and nature, which will maintain their function and integrity during service life, but disintegrate after use into carbon dioxide and water, either triggered by chemical means or by microorganisms. One problem however is establishing a suitable equilibrium between biodegradability and integrity during service life.

In more detail, the present invention relates to a composition containing the components (A),

(B-I) and (B-Il) wherein component (A) is an organic polymer; component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (I)

wherein

Xi is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl; X₂ is hydrogen, Ci-C₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl or C₅-C₈cycloalkyl; or X₁ and X₂, together with the nitrogen atom, form morpholino; X₃ is Ci-C₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl, C₅-C₈cycloalkyl or a group of the formula ( )

or the radicals X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (b), (c) or (d) (b)

C

Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ are independently of one another hydrogen, C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; Y₂₁ and Y₂₂ are independently of one another a group -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) or morpholino;

Y₃₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl;

Y₄₁ and Y₄₂ are independently of one another C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl;

Y₅₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl; if X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (d), X₁ can additionally be C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; and component (B-Il) is an inorganic or organic salt of a transition metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ce, Co, Cu, V, Mn and Ni.

Examples of alkyl containing up to 36 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n- butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1 ,3- dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methyl- heptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1 ,1 ,3-trimethylhexyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl, 1 ,1 ,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl and eicosyl. Preferred examples of alkyl containing up to 36 carbon atoms and being substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) are 2-hydroxyethyl

and the group

A preferred example of C₂-C₃6 hydroxyalkyl is 2-hydroxyethyl.

Examples of alkenyl containing up to 36 carbon atoms are allyl, 2-methallyl, butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl and oleyl. The carbon atom in position 1 is preferably saturated. The following group is particularly preferred:

A preferred example of C₅-C₈cycloalkyl is cyclohexyl.

The group morpholino has the following structure:

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

X₁ is C₈-C₂oalkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

X₂ and X₃ are independently of one another CrC₂₀alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl; and Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ independently of one another are C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₂-C₂₀hydroxyalkyl.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition wherein component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (I) which corresponds to a compound of the formula (l-a)

wherein

X₁ is C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

X₂ is hydrogen, C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl,

Or X₁ and X₂, together with the nitrogen atom, form morpholino; Y₂₁ and Y₂₂ are independently of one another a group -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) or morpholino; and Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ are independently of one another hydrogen, C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

a compound of the formula (l-b)

wherein

X₁ and Y₃₁ independently of one another are C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

a compound of the formula (l-c)

wherein

X₁, Y₄₁ and Y₄₂ independently of one another are C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl; or

a compound of the formula (l-d)

wherein

X₁ is C₈-C₂₀alkyl, C₈-C₂₀alkenyl or C₂-C₂₀hydroxyalkyl; and

Y₅₁ is C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl.

Particularly preferred amine derivatives of the present invention are:

)

The compounds of the formula (I) can be prepared according to known methods, for example in analogy to the methods described in the present examples. Several compounds of the formula (I) are commercially available.

Component (B-Il) is preferably a metal salt of a fatty acid with a carbon number ranging from C₂ to C₃6, in particular from Ci₂ to C₃6- Particularly preferred examples are metal carboxylates of palmitic acid (Ci₆), stearic acid (Ci₈), oleic acid (Ci₈), linoleic acid (Ci₈), linolenic acid (Ci₈) and naphthenic acid. Further examples of component (B-Il) are aromatic acids, e.g. benzoic acid. Component (B-Il) as C₂-C₃₆carboxylate, in particular stearate, palmitate or naphthenate, of Fe, Ce, Co, Cu, V, Mn or Ni is of particular interest.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to component (B-Il) as a Ci₂-C₂oalkanoate of Mn or Co or a Ci₂-C₂oalkenoate of Mn or Co. Mn stearate or Co stearate is particularly preferred.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, component (B-Il) contains two different metal salts, in particular with different metal cations, e.g. in a molar ratio of 1 :9 to 9:1.

Examples of component (B-Il) containing two different metal salts are the following mixtures: 11-1 ) Mn stearate and Fe stearate, II-2) Mn stearate and Co stearate, II-3) Mn stearate and Ce stearate, II-4) Co stearate and Fe stearate, 11-5) Co stearate and Ce stearate,

11-6) Ce stearate and Fe stearate,

11-7) Mn palmitate and Fe palmitate,

11-8) Mn palmitate and Co palmitate, 11-9) Mn palmitate and Ce palmitate,

11-10) Co palmitate and Fe palmitate,

11-1 1 ) Co palmitate and Ce palmitate,

11-12) Ce palmitate and Fe palmitate,

11-13) Mn naphthenate and Fe naphthenate, 11-14) Mn naphthenate and Co naphthenate,

11-15) Mn naphthenate and Ce naphthenate,

11-16) Co naphthenate and Fe naphthenate,

11-17) Co naphthenate and Ce naphthenate,

11-18) Ce naphthenate and Fe naphthenate, 11-19) Mn stearate and Mn palmitate,

II-20) Mn stearate and Fe palmitate,

11-21 ) Mn stearate and Co palmitate,

II-22) Mn stearate and Ce palmitate,

II-23) Co stearate and Fe palmitate, II-24) Co stearate and Ce palmitate,

II-25) Ce stearate and Fe palmitate,

II-26) Mn palmitate and Fe stearate,

II-27) Mn palmitate and Co stearate,

II-28) Mn palmitate and Ce stearate, II-29) Co palmitate and Fe stearate,

II-30) Co palmitate and Ce stearate,

11-31 ) Ce palmitate and Fe stearate,

II-32) Mn naphthenate and Mn stearate,

II-33) Mn naphthenate and Fe stearate, II-34) Mn naphthenate and Co stearate,

II-35) Mn naphthenate and Ce stearate,

II-36) Co naphthenate and Fe stearate,

II-37) Co naphthenate and Ce stearate,

II-38) Ce naphthenate and Fe stearate. Further examples of component (B-Il) are manganese titanate, manganese borate^*), manganese potassium sulfate^*), manganese pyrophosphate^*), manganese sulfamate^*), manganese ferrite, manganese(ll) tetraborate, containing calcium carbonate, manganese dioxide, manganese sulfate^*), manganese nitrate^*), manganese chloride^*), and manganese phosphate^*).

^*) in hydrated or non-hydrated form.

In general, the composition may additionally contain one, two or more conventional additives which are either commercially available or can be prepared according to known methods. Examples of said conventional additives are listed below.

1. Antioxidants

1.1. Alkylated monophenols, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-di- methylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-bu- tyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-(α-methylcyclohexyl)-4,6-dimethyl- phenol, 2,6-dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-meth- oxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linear or branched in the side chains, for example, 2,6-di-nonyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1 '-methylundec-1 '-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1 '- methylheptadec-1 '-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'-methyltridec-1'-yl)phenol and mixtures thereof. 1.2. Alkylthiomethylphenols, for example 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-dioctyl- thiomethyl-6-methylphenol, 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-dodecylthiomethyl-4- nonylphenol.

1.3. Hydroquinones and alkylated hydroquinones, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxy- phenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octade- cyloxyphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-bu- tyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy- droxyphenyl) adipate.

1.4. Tocopherols, for example α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol and mixtures thereof (vitamin E).

1.5. Hydroxylated thiodiphenyl ethers, for example 2,2'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis(4-octylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-2- methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis(3,6-di-sec-amylphenol), 4,4'-bis(2,6-dimethyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)- disulfide.

1.6. Alkylidenebisphenols, for example 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'- methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(α-methylcyclohexyl)- phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-nonyl-4- methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butyl- phenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α-methylben- zyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 4,4'-methy- lenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 1 ,1-bis(5-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4- methylphenol, 1 , 1 ,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 1 , 1 -bis(5-tert-butyl-4- hydroxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert- butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)dicyclopenta- diene, bis[2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylbenzyl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl]terephtha- late, 1 ,1-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)butane, 2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphe- nyl)propane, 2,2-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercaptobutane,

1 ,1 ,5,5-tetra-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)pentane. 1.7. Q-, N- and S-benzyl compounds, for example 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydi- benzyl ether, octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tridecyl-4-hydroxy- 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)amine, bis(4- tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithioterephthalate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzyl)sulfide, isooctyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate.

1.8. Hydroxybenzylated malonates, for example dioctadecyl-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hy- droxybenzyl)malonate, di-octadecyl-2-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)malonate, di- dodecylmercaptoethyl-2,2-bis (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate, bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-te- tramethylbutyl)phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate.

1.9. Aromatic hydroxybenzyl compounds, for example 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- benzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 1 ,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrame- thylbenzene, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phenol.

1.10. Triazine compounds, for example 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- anilino)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1 ,3,5-tri- azine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1 ,2,3-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben- zyl)isocyanurate, 1 ,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate, 2,4,6-tris- (3, 5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- phenylpropionyl)-hexahydro-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)iso- cyanurate.

1.1 1. Benzylphosphonat.es, for example dimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphospho- nate, diethyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy- droxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate, the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid.

1.12. Acylaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, octyl N- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate.

1.13. Esters of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9- nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethy- lene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hy- droxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylol- propane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.14. Esters of β-(5-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxy-3-methylphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or poly- hydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanedi- ol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis- (hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethyl- olpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1 -phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; 3,9-bis[2-{3-(3-tert- butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)propionyloxy}-1 ,1-dimethylethyl]-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]- undecane.

1.15. Esters of β-(3,5-dicvclohexyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl)propionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)ox- amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy- droxymethyl-1 -phospha-2,6,7,-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.16. Esters of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1 ,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)ox- amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy- droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.

1.17. Amides of β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl)propionic acid e.g. N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert- butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy- phenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hy- drazide, N,N'-bis[2-(3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyloxy)ethyl]oxamide (Nau- gard^®XL-1 , supplied by Uniroyal). 1.18. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

1.19. Aminic antioxidants, for example N,N'-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-di-sec-bu- tyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1 ,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-ethyl-3- methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-methylheptyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-dicy- clohexyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(2-naphthyl)-p- phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1 ,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phe- nyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1 -methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-N'- phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, 4-(p-toluenesulfamoyl)diphenylamine, N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di- sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, diphenylamine, N-allyldiphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenyl- amine, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, N-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naph- thylamine, octylated diphenylamine, for example p,p'-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-n-butyl- aminophenol, 4-butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylaminophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophenol, 4- octadecanoylaminophenol, bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amine, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-dimethylamino- methylphenol, 2,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N,N',N'-tetra- methyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 1 ,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl)amino]ethane, 1 ,2-bis(phenyl- amino)propane, (o-tolyl)biguanide, bis[4-(1',3'-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]amine, tert-octylated N- phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octyldiphenyl- amines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated nonyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated isopropyl/isohexyl- diphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro- 3,3-dimethyl-4H-1 ,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert- butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-octyl-phenothiazines, N-allylphenothiazine, N,N,N',N'-tetraphenyl-1 ,4-diaminobut-2-ene.

2. UV absorbers and light stabilizers

2.1. 2-(2'-Hvdroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles, for example 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-benzo- triazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphe- nyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di- tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphe- nyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'- hydroxy-4'-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-amyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-bis-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy- 5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyl- oxy)-carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2- methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-meth- oxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonyl- ethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxy- phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl- 2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'-methylene-bis[4-(1 , 1 ,3,3- tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazole-2-ylphenol]; the transesterification product of 2-[3'-tert-bu- tyl-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazole with polyethylene glycol 300; , where R = 3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxy-5'-2H-benzotri-

azol-2-ylphenyl, 2-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-5'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-phenyl]- benzotriazole; 2-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-5'-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-phenyl]ben- zotriazole.

2.2. 2-Hvdroxybenzophenones, for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyl- oxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.

2.3. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, for example 4-tert-butyl-phenyl salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoyl resorcinol, bis(4-tert-butylben- zoyl)resorcinol, benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzo- ate, hexadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben- zoate, 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.

2.4. Acrylates, for example ethyl α-cyano-β,β-diphenylacrylate, isooctyl α-cyano-β,β-diphe- nylacrylate, methyl α-carbomethoxycinnamate, methyl α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxycinna- mate, butyl α-cyano-β-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate, methyl α-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycin- namate, N-(β-carbomethoxy-β-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline, neopentyl tetra(α-cyano-β,β-di- phenylacrylate.

2.5. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of 2,2'-thio-bis[4-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl- butyl)phenol], such as the 1 :1 or 1 :2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as n- butylamine, triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyldiethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkyl esters, e.g. the methyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert- butylbenzylphosphonic acid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e.g. of 2-hydroxy-4-methylphe- nylundecylketoxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyl-4-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional ligands.

2.6. Sterically hindered amines, for example carbonic acid bis(1-undecyloxy-2, 2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)ester, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(2, 2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)succinate, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1- octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) n- butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensate of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)- 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-di- chloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetra- methyl-4-piperidyl)-1 ,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate, 1 ,1'-(1 ,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5-tetrame- thylpiperazinone), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl- piperidine, bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)- malonate, 3-n-octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1 ,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, bis(1-octyl- oxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)succi- nate, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylene- diamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n- butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)- ethane, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-di-(4-n-butylamino-1 ,2,2,6, 6-pentamethylpiperidyl)- 1 ,3,5-triazine and 1 ,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetrame- thyl-1 ,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(2,2,6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)pyr- rolidine-2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1-(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, a condensate of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6- dichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine, a condensate of 1 ,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6- trichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); a condensate of 1 ,6-hexanediamine and 2,4,6-trichloro-1 ,3,5-triazine as well as N,N-dibutylamine and 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [192268- 64-7]); N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimide, N-(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimide, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro- [4,5]decane, a reaction product of 7,7,9, 9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-i-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo- spiro-[4,5]decane and epichlorohydrin, 1 ,1-bis(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethene, N,N'-bis-formyl-N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine, a diester of 4-methoxymethylenemalonic acid with 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4-(2, 2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)]siloxane, a reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-α-olefin copolymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine or 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- aminopiperidine, 2,4-bis[N-(1-cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-4-yl)-N- butylamino]-6-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino-1 ,3,5-triazine, 1 -(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)-4- octadecanoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 5-(2-ethylhexanoyl)oxymethyl-3,3,5-trimethyl- 2-morpholinone, Sanduvor (Clariant; CAS Reg. No. 106917-31-1], 5-(2- ethylhexanoyl)oxymethyl-3,3,5-trimethyl-2-morpholinone, the reaction product of 2,4-bis[(1- cyclohexyloxy-2,2,6,6-piperidine-4-yl)butylamino]-6-chloro-s-triazine with N,N'-bis(3-ami- nopropyl)ethylenediamine), 1 ,3,5-tris(N-cyclohexyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperazine-3-one-4- yl)amino)-s-triazine, 1 ,3,5-tris(N-cyclohexyl-N-(1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperazine-3-one-4-yl)- amino)-s-triazine.

2.7. Oxamides, for example 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy- 5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxanilide, N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- and p-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

2.8. 2-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazines, for example 2,4,6-tris(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2- (2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-propyl- oxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(4- methylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2- [2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-[2- hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxypropyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-[4- (dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxyphenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-

1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-dodecyloxypropoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl- phenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydr- oxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2- hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl- 1 ,3,5-triazine, 2-{2-hydroxy-4-[3-(2-ethylhexyl-1-oxy)-2-hydroxypropyloxy]phenyl}-4,6-bis(2,4- dimethylphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine, 2,4-bis(4-[2-ethylhexyloxy]-2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-(4- methoxyphenyl)-1 ,3,5-triazine.

3. Metal deactivators, for example N,N'-diphenyloxamide, N-salicylal-N'-salicyloyl hydrazine, N,N'-bis(salicyloyl)hydrazine, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine, 3-salicyloylamino-1 ,2,4-triazole, bis(benzylidene)oxalyl dihydrazide, oxanilide, isophthaloyl dihydrazide, sebacoyl bisphenylhydrazide, N,N'-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, N,N'-bis(salicyl- oyl)oxalyl dihydrazide, N,N'-bis(salicyloyl)thiopropionyl dihydrazide.

4. Phosphites and phosphonites, for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenylalkyl phosphites, phenyldialkyl phosphites, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearylpentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di- cumylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)- pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6-tris(tert-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristea- ryl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6- isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12H-dibenz[d,g]-1 ,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, bis(2,4-di-tert- butyl-6-methylphenyl)methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl-dibenz[d,g]-1 ,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, 2,2',2"-nitrilo- [triethyltris(3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl(3,3',5,5'-te- tra-tert-butyl-1 ,1 '-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite, 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)- 1 ,3,2-dioxaphosphirane.

The following phosphites are especially preferred:

Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (lrgafos^®168, Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), tris(no- nylphenyl) phosphite,

5. Hydroxylamines, for example N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine, N,N-diethylhydroxylamine, N, N- dioctylhydroxylamine, N,N-dilaurylhydroxylamine, N,N-ditetradecylhydroxylamine, N, N- dihexadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dioctadecylhydroxylamine, N-hexadecyl-N-octadecylhydrox- ylamine, N-heptadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

6. Nitrones, for example, N-benzyl-alpha-phenylnitrone, N-ethyl-alpha-methylnitrone, N-octyl- alpha-heptylnitrone, N-lauryl-alpha-undecylnitrone, N-tetradecyl-alpha-tridecylnnitrone, N- hexadecyl-alpha-pentadecylnitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-heptadecylnitrone, N-hexadecyl-al- pha-heptadecylnitrone, N-ocatadecyl-alpha-pentadecylnitrone, N-heptadecyl-alpha-hepta- decylnitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-hexadecylnitrone, nitrone derived from N,N-dialkylhydroxyl- amine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.

7. Thiosynergists, for example dilauryl thiodipropionate, dimistryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate or distearyl disulfide.

8. Peroxide scavengers, for example esters of β-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2-mercapto- benzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide, pentaerythritol tetrakis(β- dodecylmercapto)propionate.

9. Polyamide stabilizers, for example copper salts in combination with iodides and/or phosphorus compounds and salts of divalent manganese.

10. Basic co-stabilizers, for example melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazine derivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids, for example calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium behenate, magnesium stearate, sodium ricinoleate and potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zinc pyrocatecholate.

1 1. Nucleating agents, for example inorganic substances, such as talcum, metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, preferably, alkaline earth metals; organic compounds, such as mono- or polycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, e.g. 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodium succinate or sodium benzoate; polymeric compounds, such as ionic copolymers (ionomers). Especially preferred are 1 ,3:2,4-bis(3',4'-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol, 1 ,3:2,4-di(paramethyl- dibenzylidene)sorbitol, and 1 ,3:2,4-di(benzylidene)sorbitol.

12. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibres, glass beads, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, synthetic fibers.

13. Other additives, for example plasticisers, lubricants, emulsifiers, pigments, rheology additives, catalysts, flow-control agents, optical brighteners, flameproofing agents, antistatic agents and blowing agents.

14. Benzofuranones and indolinones, for example those disclosed in U.S. 4,325,863; U.S. 4,338,244; U.S. 5,175,312; U.S. 5,216,052; U.S. 5,252,643; DE-A-431661 1 ;

DE-A-4316622; DE-A-4316876; EP-A-0589839, EP-A-0591102; EP-A-1291384 or 3-[4-(2- acetoxyethoxy)phenyl]-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-[4-(2-stearoyloxy- ethoxy)phenyl]benzofuran-2-one, 3,3'-bis[5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4-[2-hydroxyethoxy]phenyl)ben- zofuran-2-one], 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)benzofuran-2-one, 3-(4-acetoxy-3,5-di- methylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(3,5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-5,7-di- tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(2,3- dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butylbenzofuran-2-one, 3-(2-acetyl-5-isooctylphenyl)-5-isooctyl- benzofuran-2-one.

The conventional additive is for example present in the composition in an amount of 0.001 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.001 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer (component (A)).

A composition, which contains in addition one, two or more of the following components: (B-III) a filler or reinforcing agent, (B-IV) a pigment, (B-V) a light stabilizer, (B-Vl) a processing additive, (B-VII) an antioxidant, (B-VIII) an inorganic or organic salt of Ca, Mg, Zn or Al, or an oxide of Ca, Mg, Zn or Al, (B-IX) a terpene derivative, (B-X) an inorganic oxidant,

(B-Xl) a compound containing a group

(B-XII) an acrylate polymer or copolymer or an acrylate derivative polymer or copolymer, (B-XIII) an oligomeric photosensitizer, is preferred. Several examples of these components can be found in the above list of conventional additives.

Examples of the components (B-III) to (B-VIII) are disclosed in detail in US-A-2003-0236325 which is incorporated by reference herein.

Component (B-III) covers e.g. calcium carbonate, silicas, glass fibres, glass bulbs, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour, flours of other natural products, synthetic fibers and metal stearates used as fillers such as calcium stearate or zinc stearate; unsaturated organic polymers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polyoctenamer, or unsaturated acids such as stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid or linolenic acid; and further polymers such as polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide.

Component (B-IV) is for example carbon black, titanium dioxide (anatase or rutile which may range in particle size from e.g. 1000 μm to 10 nm and which may optionally be surface treated) or another organic or inorganic colour pigment frequently used in agricultural applications (for example carbon black, brown, silver, red, green).

Component (B-V) is preferably a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) or an UV absorber. Examples of preferred hindered amine light stabilizers are also those compounds which are disclosed for example as components (A), (B) and (C) in WO-A-01/92,392 which is incorporated by reference herein and which is equivalent to U.S. Patent Application No. 10/257,339. Component (B-Vl) is for example an antislip/antiblock additive, a plasticizer (e.g. polyglycol), an optical brightener, an antistatic agent, a blowing agent or a process stabilizer.

Component (B-VII) is for example a phenolic antioxidant.

Component (B-VIII) is for example a metal stearate, e.g. calcium stearate or zinc stearate; or zinc oxide (which may range in particle size from e.g. 1000 μm to 10 nm and which may optionally be surface treated).

The polyterpene resins used as component (B-IX) may be of natural or synthetic origin. They are either commercially available or can be prepared according to known methods.

The polyterpene resins are for example based on acyclic terpenes or cyclic terpenes, e.g. monocyclic terpenes or bicyclic terpenes. Polyterpenes based on terpene hydrocarbons are preferred.

Examples of acyclic terpenes are terpene hydrocarbons, e.g. myrcene, ocimene and beta-farnesene; terpene alcohols, e.g. dihydromyrcenol (2,6-dimethyl-7-octen-2-ol), geraniol (3,7-dimethyl-trans-2,6-octadien-1-ol), nerol (3,7-dimethyl-cis-2,6-octadien-1-ol), linalool (3,7-dimethyl-1 ,6-octadien-3-ol), myrcenol

(2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-2-ol), lavandulol, citronellol (3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-ol), trans- trans-farnesol (3,7,1 1-trimethyl-2,6,10-dodecatrien-1-ol) and trans-nerolidol (3,7,1 1-trimethyl-

1 ,6,10-dodecatrien-3-ol); terpene aldehydes and acetals, e.g. citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-al), citral diethyl acetal (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1- aldiethyl acetal), citronellal (3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-al), citronellyloxyacetaldehyde and 2,6,10-trimethyl-9-undecenal; terpene ketones, e.g. tagetone, solanone and geranylacetone (6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadien-2-one); terpene acids and esters, e.g. cis-geranic acid, citronellic acid, geranyl esters (including geranyl formate, geranyl acetate, geranyl propionate, geranyl isobutyrate and geranyl isovalerate), neryl esters (including neryl acetate), linalyl esters (including linalyl formate, linalyl acetate, linalyl propionate, linalyl butyrate and linalyl isobutyrate), lavandulyl esters (including lavandulyl acetate), citronellyl esters (including citronellyl formate, citronellyl acetate, cintronellyl propionate, citronellyl isobutyrate, citronellyl isovalerate and citronellyl tiglate); and nitrogen containing unsaturated terpene derivatives, e.g. cis-geranic acid nitrile and citronellic acid nitrile.

Examples of cyclic terpenes are cyclic terpene hydrocarbons, e.g. limonene (1 ,8-p-methadiene), alpha-terpinene, gamma-terpinene (1 ,4-p-menthadiene), terpinolene, alpha-phellandrene (1 ,5-p-menthadiene), beta-phellandrene, alpha-pinene (2- pinene), beta-pinene (2(10)-pinene), camphene, 3-carene, caryophyllene, (+)-valencene, thujopsene, alpha-cedrene, beta-cedrene and longifolene; cyclic terpene alcohols and ethers, e.g.

(+)-neoiso-isopulegol, isopulegol (8-p-menten-3-ol), alpha-terpineol (1-p-menten-8-ol), beta- terpineol, gamma-terpineol, delta-terpineol and 1-terpinen-4-ol (1-p-menten-4-ol); cyclic terpene aldehydes and ketones, e.g. carvone (1 ,8-p-mantadien-6-one), alpha-ionone (Ci₃H₂oO), beta-ionone (Ci₃H₂oO), gamma- ionone (Ci₃H₂oO), irone (alpha-, beta-, gamma-) (Ci₄H₂₂O), n-methylionone (alpha-, beta-, gamma-) (Ci₄H₂₂O), isomethylionone (alpha-, beta-, gamma-) (Ci₄H₂₂O), allylionone (Ci₆H₂₄O), pseudoionone, n-methylpseudoionone, isomethylpseudoionone, damascones (1- (2,6,6-trimethylcycohexenyl)-2-buten-1-ones; including beta-damascenone (1 -(2,6,6- trimethyl-1 ,3-cyclohadienyl)-2-buten-1-one)), nootkatone (5,6-dimethyl-8- isopropenylbicyclo[4.4.0]-1-decen-3-one) and cedryl methyl ketone (Ci₇H₂₆O); and cyclic terpene esters, e.g. alpha-terpinyl acetate (1-p-menthen-8-yl acetate), nopyl acetate ((-)-2-(6,6- dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-en-2-yl)ethyl acetate) and khusymil acetate.

Further suitable terpene derivatives can be found in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 4. ed. (1994), Vol. 23, p. 833-882.

Preferred examples of terpenes which can serve as the basis for the polyterpenes are tricyclene, alpha-pinene, alpha-fenchene, camphene, beta-pinene, myrcene, cis-pinane, cis/trans-p-8-menthene, trans-2-p-menthene, p-3-menthene, trans-p-menthane, 3-carene, cis-p-menthane, 1 ,4-cineole, 1 ,8-cineole, alpha-terpinene, p-1-menthene, p-4(8)-menthene, limonene, p-cymene, gamma-terpinene, p-3,8-menthadiene, p-2,4(8)-menthadiene and terpinolene.

Further examples of component (b-IX) are cycloaliphatic compounds structurally related to terpenes such as the following alcohols, e.g.

5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)-3-methylpentan-2-ol; aldehydes, e.g.

2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde, 4-(4-methyl-3-penten-1 -yl)-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde and 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde; ketones, e.g. civetone, dihydrojasmone (3-methyl-2-pentyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one), cis-jasmone (3-methyl-2- (2-cis-penten-1 -yl)-2-cyclopenten-1 -one), 5-cyclohexadecen-1 -one, 2,3,8,8-tetramethyl- 1 ,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2-napthalenyl methyl ketone and 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-2-ol-1- one; and esters, e.g.

4,7-methano-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-5-(or 6)-indenyl acetate, allyl 3-cyclohexylpropionate, methyl dihydrojasmonate methyl (3-oxo-2-pentylcyclopentyl) acetate.

The polyterpenes used in the present invention may also be derived from the copolymerisation of the aforementioned terpenes with other unsaturated organic compounds.

Other examples of component (B-IX) are the unsaturated coal-tar by-product polymers such as cumarone-indene resins, rosin and the like.

Present component (B-IX) is preferably a polyterpene resin selected from the group consisting of poly-alpha-pinene, poly-beta-pinene, polylimonene or a copolymer of alpha- pinene, a copolymer of beta-pinene or a copolymer of limonene. Poly-beta-pinene is particularly preferred. Terpene-based hydrocarbon resins are typically based on products such as alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and d-limonene, which are obtained from the wood and citrus industry, respectively. Terpene-based resins have been available since the mid-1930s (Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 4. ed. (1994), Vol. 13, p. 717- 718). Polymerization of monoterpenes is most commonly accomplished by carbocationic polymerization utilizing Friedel-Crafts-type catalyst systems, such as aluminum chloride (Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 4. ed. (1994), Vol. 1. P.459).

In general, the polyterpenes of the present invention have more than one terpene unit. They have preferably a molecular weight of about 400 g/mol to about 1400 g/mol.

Component (B-X) is in particular an inorganic peroxide or an inorganic superoxide, in particular of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, or of a transition metal. Suitable examples of component (B-X) as a peroxide are magnesium peroxide (MgO₂), calcium peroxide (CaO₂), strontium peroxide (SrO₂), barium peroxide (BaO₂), lithium peroxide (Li₂O₂), sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂), potassium peroxide (K₂O₂), zinc peroxide (ZnO₂), silver peroxide (Ag₂O₂), copper peroxide or iron peroxide. Suitable examples of component (B-X) as a superoxide are lithium superoxide (LiO₂), sodium superoxide (NaO₂), potassium superoxide (KO₂), rubidium superoxide (RbO₂) and cesium superoxide (CsO₂). Preferred are lithium peroxide, sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, barium peroxide, zinc peroxide and potassium superoxide. Particularly preferred are sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide and zinc peroxide. A comprehensive summary of inorganic peroxides or superoxides, which are useful for the present invention, is given in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, John Wiley & Sons, 4. ed. (1994), Vol. 18, pages

202-229, which is incorporated by reference herein. Blends of the abovementioned peroxides and/or superoxides can also be used.

Component (B-X) is preferably an inorganic peroxide of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a transition metal, or an inorganic superoxide of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a transition metal.

Further preferred examples of component (B-X) are magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide, strontium peroxide, barium peroxide, lithium peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, zinc peroxide, silver peroxide, copper peroxide, iron peroxide, lithium superoxide, sodium superoxide, potassium superoxide, rubidium superoxide and cesium superoxide; in particular sodium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, calcium peroxide and zinc peroxide; especially calcium peroxide.

Component (B-X) is conveniently a compound which - when in contact with humidity - reacts with water in order to liberate an active auxiliary prodegradant species, and which is thermoprocessable in a temperature range between 100° and 300° C.

Component (B-Xl) is for example the degradation accelerator disclosed in WO-A-07/028,731 which is incorporated by reference herein. Preferred examples are N-trityloxyphthalimide, N-stearoyloxyphthalimide, N-p-toluene-4-sulfonyloxyphthalimide, N-2-(4- dodecylbenzoyl)benzoyloxyphthalimide, N-N'-dihydroxypyromellitic diimide, N,N'-bis[stearoyloxy]pyromellitic diimide, N-stearoyloxy-1 ,8-naphthalimide, N-octyloxy-4- carboxylic acid octyl ester, N-octadecyloxyphthalimide, 1 ,12-bis[4-carboxy-N- hydroxyphthalimide] dodecyl diester, 1 ,12-bis(4-carboxy-N-stearoyloxyphthalimide) dodecyl diester, 1 ,12-bis[4-carboxy-N-tosyloxyphthalimide] dodecyl diester, 1 ,12-bis[4-carboxy-N- benzyloxyphthalimide] dodecyl diester, 1 ,12-bis[4-carboxy-N-isopropyloxyphthalimide] dodecyl diester, N,N -dihydroxy-benzophenonediimide, N,N -distearoyloxy- benzophenonediimide, N-(tert-butyldiphenylsilanyloxy)-phthalimide, carbonic acid 1 ,3-dioxo- 1 ,3-dihydro-isoindol-2-yl ester octadecyl ester and carbonic acid 1 ,3-dioxo-1 ,3-dihydro- isoindol-2-yl ester methyl ester.

Component (B-XII) is for example an acrylate polymer or copolymer or an acrylate derivative polymer or copolymer. Such polymers or copolymers are e.g. disclosed as compound of the formula (I) in WO Patent Application No. EP2007/05,446 which is incorporated by reference herein. Preferred examples are the metal salts of a compound selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, Ci-C₄alkyl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, polymethacrylate, Ci-C₄alkyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer, acrylic acid/methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, ethylene/Ci-C₄alkyl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer and ethylene/Ci-C₄alkyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid copolymer. Component (B-XIII) is preferably a benzophenone photosensitizer, in particular one of those described in European Patent Application No. 071 13692.3 which is incorporated by reference herein.

Preferred is also a composition according to the present invention which contains as component (B-Il) Mn-stearate or Co-stearate and as component (B-VIII) Ca-stearate.

Examples of component (A) are:

1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polypropylene, polyisobutylene, po- lybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyvinylcyclohexane, polyisoprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopentene or norbornene, polyethylene (which optionally can be crosslinked), for example high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE).

Polyolefins, i.e. the polymers of monoolefins exemplified in the preceding paragraph, preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, can be prepared by different, and especially by the following, methods:

a) radical polymerisation (normally under high pressure and at elevated temperature).

b) catalytic polymerisation using a catalyst that normally contains one or more than one metal of groups IVb, Vb, VIb or VIII of the Periodic Table. These metals usually have one or more than one ligand, typically oxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers, amines, alkyls, alkenyls and/or aryls that may be either π- or σ-coordinated. These metal complexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically on activated magnesium chloride, titanium(lll) chloride, alumina or silicon oxide. These catalysts may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerisation medium. The catalysts can be used by themselves in the polymerisation or further activators may be used, typically metal alkyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyl halides, metal alkyl oxides or metal alkyloxanes, said metals being elements of groups Ia, Na and/or Ilia of the Periodic Table. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester, ether, amine or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usually termed Phillips, Standard Oil Indiana, Ziegler (-Natta), TNZ (DuPont), metallocene or single site catalysts (SSC).

2. Mixtures of the polymers mentioned under 1 ), for example mixtures of polypropylene with polyisobutylene, polypropylene with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE, PP/LDPE) and mixtures of different types of polyethylene (for example LDPE/HDPE).

3. Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, for example ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copo- lymers, ethylene/methylpentene copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymers, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers (e.g. ethylene/norbornene like COC), ethylene/1 -olefins copolymers, where the 1 -olefin is generated in-situ; propylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/vi- nylcyclohexene copolymers, ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethyl en e/a Iky I methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with polymers mentioned in 1 ) above, for example polypropylene/ethy- lene-propylene copolymers, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LDPE/ethylene- acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), LLDPE/EVA, LLDPE/EAA and alternating or random polyal- kylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides.

4. Hydrocarbon resins (for example C₅-C₉) including hydrogenated modifications thereof (e.g. tackifiers) and mixtures of polyalkylenes and starch.

Homopolymers and copolymers from 1.) - 4.) may have any stereostructure including syndio- tactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included. 5. Polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), poly(α-methylstyrene).

6. Aromatic homopolymers and copolymers derived from vinyl aromatic monomers including styrene, α-methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially p-vinyltoluene, all isomers of ethyl styrene, propyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, and vinyl anthracene, and mixtures thereof. Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Ste- reoblock polymers are also included.

6a. Copolymers including aforementioned vinyl aromatic monomers and comonomers selected from ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydrides, maleimides, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or acrylic derivatives and mixtures thereof, for example styrene/bu- tadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/ethylene (interpolymers), styrene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkyl methacrylate, styrene/maleic anhydride, styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength of styrene copolymers and another polymer, for example a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/pro- pylene/diene terpolymer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/sty- rene, styrene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propy- lene/styrene.

6b. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6.), especially including polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE) prepared by hydrogenating atactic polystyrene, often referred to as polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH).

6c. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6a.).

Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotac- tic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included.

7. Graft copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomers such as styrene or α-methylstyrene, for example styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acry- lonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkyl acrylates or polyalkyl methacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed under 6), for example the copolymer mixtures known as ABS, MBS, ASA or AES polymers.

8. Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulfo- chlorinated polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene, epichlorohydrin homo- and copolymers, especially polymers of halogen-containing vinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, as well as copolymers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers.

9. Polymers derived from α,β-unsatu rated acids and derivatives thereof such as polyacry- lates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacryloni- triles, impact-modified with butyl acrylate.

10. Copolymers of the monomers mentioned under 9) with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/ butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkyl acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkyl acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acry- lonitrile/ alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.

1 1. Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or the acyl derivatives or ace- tals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their copolymers with olefins mentioned in 1 ) above.

12. Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bisglycidyl ethers. 13. Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes which contain ethylene oxide as a comonomer; polyacetals modified with thermoplastic polyurethanes, acrylates or MBS.

14. Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with styrene polymers or polyamides.

15. Polyurethanes derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters or polybutadi- enes on the one hand and aliphatic or aromatic polyisocyanates on the other, as well as precursors thereof.

16. Polyamides and copolyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, for example polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 12/12, polyamide 11 , polyamide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic or/and terephthalic acid and with or without an elastomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or poly- m-phenylene isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned polyamides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted elastomers; or with polyethers, e.g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycol; as well as polyamides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamide systems).

17. Polyureas, polyimides, polyamide-imides, polyetherimids, polyesterimids, polyhydantoins and polybenzimidazoles.

18. Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones or lactides, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1 ,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate and polyhydroxybenzoates as well as copolyether esters derived from hydroxyl- terminated polyethers, and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS. Copolyesters may comprise, for example - but are not limited to - polybutylensuccinate/terephtalate, polybutyleneadipate/terephthalate, polytetramethyleneadipate/terephthalate, polybutylensuccinate/adipate, polybutylensuccinate/carbonate, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate/octanoate copolymer, poly-3- hydroxybutyrate/hexanoate/decanoate terpolymer. Furthermore, aliphatic polyesters may comprise, for example - but are not limited to - the class of poly(hydroxyalkanoates), in particular, poly(propiolactone), poly(butyrolactone), poly(pivalolactone), poly(valerolactone) and poly(caprolactone), polyethylenesuccinate, polypropylenesuccinate, polybutylenesuccinate, polyhexamethylenesuccinate, polyethyleneadipate, polypropyleneadipate, polybutyleneadipate, polyhexamethyleneadipate, polyethyleneoxalate, polypropyleneoxalate, polybutyleneoxalate, polyhexamethyleneoxalate, polyethylenesebacate, polypropylenesebacate, polybutylenesebacate and polylactic acid (PLA) as well as corresponding polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS. The term "polylactic acid (PLA)" designates a homo-polymer of preferably poly-L-lactide and any of its blends or alloys with other polymers; a co-polymer of lactic acid or lactide with other monomers, such as hydroxy-carboxylic acids, like for example, glycolic acid, 3-hydroxy- butyric acid, 4-hydroxy-butyric acid, 4-hydroxy-valeric acid, 5-hydroxy-valeric acid, 6- hydroxy-caproic acid and cyclic forms thereof; the terms "lactic acid" or "lactide" include L- lactic acid, D-lactic acid, mixtures and dimers thereof, i.e. L-lactide, D-lactide, meso-lacide and any mixtures thereof.

19. Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates.

20. Polyketones.

21. Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones.

22. Crosslinked polymers derived from aldehydes on the one hand and phenols, ureas and melamines on the other hand, such as phenol/formaldehyde resins, urea/formaldehyde resins and melamine/formaldehyde resins.

23. Drying and non-drying alkyd resins.

24. Unsaturated polyester resins derived from copolyesters of saturated and unsaturated dicarboxylic acids with polyhydric alcohols and vinyl compounds as crosslinking agents, and also halogen-containing modifications thereof of low flammability. 25. Crosslinkable acrylic resins derived from substituted acrylates, for example epoxy acry- lates, urethane acrylates or polyester acrylates.

26. Alkyd resins, polyester resins and acrylate resins crosslinked with melamine resins, urea resins, isocyanates, isocyanurates, polyisocyanates or epoxy resins.

27. Crosslinked epoxy resins derived from aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic glycidyl compounds, e.g. products of diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A and bisphenol F, which are crosslinked with customary hardeners such as anhydrides or amines, with or without accelerators.

28. Natural polymers such as cellulose, rubber, gelatin and chemically modified homologous derivatives thereof, for example cellulose acetates, cellulose propionates and cellulose butyrates, or the cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose; as well as rosins and their derivatives.

29. Blends of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, PoIy- amide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA, PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylates, POM/thermoplastic PUR, PC/thermoplastic PUR, POM/acrylate, POM/MBS, PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA 6.6 and copolymers, PA/HDPE, PA/PP, PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABS or PBT/PET/PC.

30. Naturally occurring and synthetic organic materials which are pure monomeric compounds or mixtures of such compounds, for example mineral oils, animal and vegetable fats, oil and waxes, or oils, fats and waxes based on synthetic esters (e.g. phthalates, adipates, phosphates or trimellitates) and also mixtures of synthetic esters with mineral oils in any weight ratios, typically those used as spinning compositions, as well as aqueous emulsions of such materials.

31. Aqueous emulsions of natural or synthetic rubber, e.g. natural latex or latices of carbo- xylated styrene/butadiene copolymers. Component (A) is preferably a thermoplastic natural or synthetic polymer. Preferred examples are a) Homo and copolymers of olefin monomers such as ethylene and propylene, but also higher 1 -olefins such as 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene or 1-octen. Preferred is polyethylene LDPE and LLDPE, HDPE and polypropylene. b) Homo- and copolymers of olefin monomers with diolefin monomers such as butadiene, isoprene and cyclic olefins such as norbornene. c) Copolymers of one ore more 1 -olefins and /or diolefins with carbon monoxide and/or with other vinyl monomers, including, but not limited to, acrylic acid and its corresponding acrylic esters, methacrylic acid and its corresponding esters, vinyl acetate, vinyl ketone, styrene, maleic acid anhydride and vinyl chloride. d) Polyvinyl alcohol e) Other thermoplastics such as poly(meth)acrylate esters, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylbutyral, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), liquid crystal polyesters (LCPs), polyacetals (e.g., POM), polyamides (PA), polycarbonates, polyurethane and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS); polymer blends or polymer alloys formed of two or more of these resins; and compounds obtained by adding fillers such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, semi-carbonized fibers, cellulose fibers and glass beads, flame retardants, blowing agents, antimicrobial agents, crosslinking agents, fine polyolefin resin powder, polyolefin waxes, ethylene bisamide waxes, metallic soaps and the like either singly or in combination to these resins. Examples of thermosetting resins, on the other hand, can include thermosetting resins such as epoxy resins, melamine resins and unsaturated polyester resins; and compounds obtained by incorporating fillers such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, semi-carbonized fibers, cellulose fibers and glass beads, flame retardants and the like either singly or in combination to these resins.

Further preferred examples of component (A) are polyethylensuccinate, polybutylensuccinate, polybutylensuccinate/adipate, polybutylensuccinate/carbonate, polybutylensuccinate/terephtalate, polycaprolactone, poly(hydroxyalcanoates), poly 3-hydroxybutyrate, polylactic acid, polyester amides, or blends of these materials with natural or modified starch, polysaccarides, lignin, wood flour, cellulose and chitin. According to a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention component (A) is a polyolefin homo- or copolymer, a starch modified polyolefin or a starch based polymer composite.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention component (A) is polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyethylene copolymer or a polypropylene copolymer.

Component (B-I) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.001 to 5% by weight or 0.005 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-Il) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.005 to 50% by weight or 0.005 to 10% by weight, in particular 0.005 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-III) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.05 to 80% by weight, in particular 0.5 to 70% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-IV) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.05 to 40% by weight, in particular 0.5 to 30% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-V) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.01 to 20% by weight, in particular 0.01 to 10% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-Vl) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.05 to 10% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer. Component (B-VII) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.001 to 4% by weight, e.g. 0.005 to 1% by weight, in particular 0.01 to 0.3% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-VIII) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.005 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.05 to 1% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-IX) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.01 to 10% by weight, in particular 0.01 to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-X) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.005 to 20 % by weight, in particular 0.1 to 15 % by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-Xl) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.01 to 10 % by weight or 0.01 to 5 % by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-XII) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.001 to 5% by weight or 0.005 to 5% by weight, in particular 0.1 to 3% by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

Component (B-XIII) is preferably present in the organic polymer (= component (A)) in an amount of 0.01 to 10 % by weight, in particular 0.01 to 5 % by weight, relative to the weight of the organic polymer.

The components (B-I), (B-Il) and optionally (B-III) to (B-XIII) can be incorporated into the organic polymer (= component (A)) in a controlled form by known methods, for example before or during shaping or by applying the dissolved or dispersed compounds to the organic polymer, if necessary with subsequent evaporation of the solvent. The components can be added to the organic polymer in the form of a powder, granules or a masterbatch, which contains these components in, for example, a concentration of from 2.5 to 25 % by weight.

If desired, the components (B-I), (B-Il) and optionally (B-III) to (B-XIII) can be blended with each other before incorporation into the organic polymer (= component (A)). They can be added to the organic polymer before or during the polymerization or before the crosslinking.

The present invention is especially useful in all areas where degradation in humid environments is desired. The use of the present additive mixture can be tailored according to the climatic conditions of the place where an article made of the above described composition will be finally stored for degradation.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an article made of a composition as defined above.

A brief description of some exemplary articles made in accordance with the invention follows. Typically, the articles are required to have a relatively long service life followed by a relatively short period during which embrittlement and fragmentation occurs, either in situ or in a landfill. The articles may be film products comprising polyolefins or other organic polymers.

Examples of suitable agricultural articles are mulch films, small tunnel films, banana bags, direct covers, nonwoven, twines, clips, nettings, pipes, tubes and pots.

Mulch films represent a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Mulch films are used to protect crops in the early stages of their development. Mulch films, depending on the type of crop and on the purpose, can be laid after the seeding or at the same time as the seeding. They protect the crop until the crop has reached a certain development stage. When the harvest is finished, the field is prepared for another cultivation.

Standard plastic films have to be collected and disposed in order to allow the new cultivation. The additive systems of the present invention (components (B-I), (B-Il) and optionally (B-III) to (B-XIII)), when added to the standard plastic mulch films, allow the film to keep its properties until the crop has reached the required development, then degradation starts and the film is completely embrittled when the new cultivation has to be started.

The length of the service period and of the time to degradation and time to complete disappearance depends on the type of crop and on the environmental conditions. Depending on the specific time requirements, the additive combinations are designed.

By appropriately dosing the amount of the present additive system, the required service periods and time to degradation and disappearance can be obtained. Examples of typical life times of mulch films are 10 to 180 days, lifes up to 24 months can also be required and achieved.

Thus, a further preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mulch film containing the the components (B-I), (B-Il) and optionally (B-III) to (B-XIII) as defined above and having a life time of 10 to 720 days.

Mulch films can be mono or multilayer (preferably three layers), transparent or appropriately pigmented (white, black, silver, green, brown) on the base of the agronomic needs.

The thickness of the mulch films can range, for example, between 5 to 100 microns. Films from 10 to 60 microns are preferred. Blown films are particularly preferred. The films may be partly burried with soil.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is a mulch film made of a composition containing (A) a polyethylene (B-I) a compound of the formula

or a compound of the formula

and

(B-Il) Mn stearate or Co stearate. Examples of particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to degradable mulch films with the following characteristics:

1) Transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film containing: (A) linear low density polyethylene, (B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-III) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 0.4%, of calcium stearate, (B-V) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.1 %, of Tinuvin 783 (RTM)¹⁾,

(B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, Of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

2) Transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film containing: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3,

(B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-III) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 0.4%, of calcium stearate,

(B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

3) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black,

(B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of Tinuvin 783 (RTM)¹⁾,

(B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, (B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

4) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black, (B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of Chimassorb 944 (RTM)²⁾, (B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, (B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

5) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene, (B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black, (B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of a light stabilizer LS³⁾,

(B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, Of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite,

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

6) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film:

(A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 1 %, in particular 0.4 %, of Additive 1 or 3,

(B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black,

(B-VM) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite,

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate. 7) Transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film containing: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5 %, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-V) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.1 %, of Tinuvin 783 (RTM)¹⁾, (B-VI-1) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂, (B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and (B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

8) Transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film containing: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5 %, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-VI-1) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂, (B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, and (B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

9) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3,

(B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black,

(B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of Tinuvin 783 (RTM)¹⁾,

(B-VI-1 ) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite,

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

10) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3, (B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate, (B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black, (B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of Chimassorb 944 (RTM)²⁾, (B-VI-1) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂, (B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, (B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

11) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film: (A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3,

(B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate,

(B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black,

(B-V) 0.1 to 2 %, in particular 0.4 to 1 %, of a light stabilizer LS³⁾, (B-VI-1) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite,

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

12) Non-transparent 10 to 25 micron monolayer or three-layer blown film:

(A) linear low density polyethylene,

(B-I) 0.1 to 5%, in particular 1.6 %, of Additive 1 or 3,

(B-Il) 0.05 to 2 %, in particular 0.14 %, of Mn stearate or Co stearate,

(B-IV) 0.1 to 20 %, in particular 0.1 to 10 %, of carbon black, (B-VI-1) 0.00005 to 0.0005 %, in particular 0.0001 to 0.0002 %, of SiO₂,

(B-VI-2) 0.05 to 4 %, in particular 0.1 to 0.5 %, of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite,

(B-VII) 0.001 to 4 %, in particular 0.02 to 2 %, of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate.

In the above listed preferred embodiments "%" means "% by weight, relative to the weight of the linear low density polyethylene (=component (A))".

The carbon black is preferably added in the form of a masterbatch, e.g. PLASBLAK PE 2642 MB 40% LD (RTM)). ¹⁾ Tinuvin (RTM) 783:

Mixture of poly[[6-[(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)amino]-1 ,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][(2,2,6,6- tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino]hexamethylene[(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino]] and 1-(2- hydroxyethyl)-2,2,,6,6 -tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine-succinic acid copolymer.

²⁾ Chimassorb (RTM) 944:

Poly[[6-[(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)amino]-1 ,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl][(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidyl)imino]hexamethylene[(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)imino]].

3) Light stabilizer LS:

Examples of further suitable articles are a packaging material, preferably for consumer products such as food, beverage or cosmetics; a hygienic article and a medical article.

Further examples of articles according to the present invention are geotextiles, landfill covers, industrial covers, waste covers, temporary scaffolding sheets, building films, silt fences, films for building temporary shelter constructions, disposable diapers, disposable garments, and the like.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the article is a packaging material such as a supermarket bag or a refuse sack. When the article according to the present invention is useful for the construction area, it may be for example a geomembrane, a geotextile, a geogrid or a scaffolding film.

The article may be selected from the group consisting of films, fibers, profiles, bottles, tanks, containers, sheets, bags, styrofoam cups, plates, blister packages, boxes, package wrappings and tapes.

The article can be shaped, for example, by injection-molding, blow-molding, compression- molding, roto-molding, slush-molding, extrusion, film casting, film blowing, calendering, thermoforming, spinning or rotational casting.

In all of the foregoing examples, the article, made in accordance with the invention, will keep its properties during use and will degrade after its service life.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a degradation accelerator mixture containing the components (B-I) and (B-Il) as defined above.

The weight ratio of components (B-I)/(B-II) is preferably 10 000/1 to 1/50 000, more preferably 2 000/1 to 1 /5 000 or 1 /100 to 100/1 or 1 /20 to 20/1.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for controlling the weathering resistance and the degradation of an organic polymer, which method comprises incorporating into the organic polymer the components (B-I), (B-Il) and optionally (B-III) to (B-XIII) as defined herein.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the novel compound of the formula

In the following examples all chemicals are used as received and not purified prior to synthesis. All reactions are carried out in nitrogen atmosphere.

Example 1 : Synthesis of N,N',N"-tri-tert-octyl-melamine.

Synthetic route:

Step A: A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 92.3 g of cyanuric chloride, 2.5 I of xylene and 387.0 g of tert-octylamine. The reaction mixture is heated to reflux temperature and left to react for 36 hours under stirring. Then, the reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum and the residue is washed with 1 :1 isopropanol/water solution which is exsiccated in oven under reduced pressure. LC/MS analysis (Liquid Chromatography / Mass Spectroscopy) confirms the mass of the desired structure that is used in step B without further analysis.

LC/MS (APCI): m/z 463 (M⁺ )

Step B: An autoclave is charged with 367.5 g of the product of Step A, 290 g of tert- octylamine and 100 ml of isopropanol. The reaction mixture is left to react at 175°C for 8 hours. Then, the mixture is cooled to room temperature and poured into a 1 :1 isopropanol/water solution. The formed precipitate is recovered by filtering off the solution, washed with methanol and exsiccated under reduced pressure. ¹H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a white solid.

Melting point: 158-160ºC

Example 2: Synthesis of 2,3,5-tris[di-n-octylamino]-1 ,4,6-triazine.

A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 30.0 g of cyanuric chloride and 600 ml of xylene. The stirred mixture is cooled to -5°C. Then, 1 17.8 g of dioctylamine are slowly dropped to the solution which is finally heated to 60⁰C. Then, 78.0 g of a 30% NaOH water solution are added to the reaction mixture which is subsequently heated to reflux temperature. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the organic phase is separated, washed twice with water and concentrated under vacuum. The crude residue is recrystallized with ethanol. ¹H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a white wax.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCU): δ 0.84-0.88 (18H, t, CH2CH₃); 1.1-1.3 (6OH, m); 1.5-1.6 (12H, m, NCH₂CH₂;; 3.3-3.5 (12H, m, NCH₂CH₂;.

Example 3: Synthesis of 2,3,5-tri-morpholino-1 ,4,6-triazine.

A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 73.6 g of cyanuric chloride and 600 ml of xylene. Then, 215.2 g of morpholine are dropped to the reaction mixture maintained under vigorous stirring at -5°C. The reaction mixture is spontaneously left to rise to room temperature and then gently heated to reflux temperature for 3 hours. 500 ml of water are added to the reaction mixture at 20⁰C. The precipitate is recovered filtering off the solution and washed with 10:1 THF (Tetrahydrofuran)/Acetonitrole solution. ¹H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a white solid.

Melting point: 279-292°C

Example 4: Synthesis of 1 ,2-Bis[di-tridecylamino]ethane.

Synthetic route:

Step A: A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 30.0 g of ditridecylamine, 9.6 g of triethylamine and 200 ml of toluene. A solution of 10.0 g of oxalyl chloride in 50 ml of toluene is dropped to the reaction mixture maintained under stirring at 10⁰C. Then, the mixture is left to react at 20⁰C for 3 hours. The solution is filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The ¹H-NMR analysis of the obtained red oil crude residue confirms the presence of the structure of the desired product which is used in Step B without further purification.

Step B: A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 10.0 g of the product of Step A and 200 ml of diethylether. 0.7 g of litium aluminum hydride 1.0 M solution is slowly dropped to the reaction mixture which is maintained under stirring at 20°C for 72 hours. Subsequently, 100 ml of ethyl acetate are added to the reaction mixture. Then, 50 ml of water are added. The organic layer is separated, washed with water and concentrated under reduced pressure. ¹H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a red oil. ⁷H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 0.6-0.1.7 (100H, m) 2.3-2.7 (12H, m, NCH₂).

Example 5: Synthesis of N,N'-di-dodecylpiperazine.

A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 4.3 g of piperazine, 26.2 g of 1- bromododecane and 200 ml of ethanol. The solution is heated to reflux temperature and left to react for 24 hours under stirring. Then, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature. The formed precipitate is isolated filtering off the solution, washed with a 10% NaOH solution, recrystallized with methanol and exsiccated in oven under reduced pressure. 1H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a white solid.

Melting point: 50-55ºC

Example 6: Synthesis of N,N',N"-tri-n-octadecyl-hexahydro-1 ,3,5-triazine.

A four-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple, dropping funnel and condenser is successively charged with 40.0 g of octadecylamine, 30 ml of water and 250 ml of ethanol. 5.3 ml of p-formaldehyde are added to the stirred mixture which is heated to 75°C for 4 hours. Then, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the so formed precipitate is separated, washed with ethanol and methanol and exsiccated under reduced pressure. ¹H-NMR analysis confirms the structure of the desired product which is obtained as a white solid.

Melting point: 52-54° C

In the application examples the following additives are tested:

Additive 1 : N-Hydroxyethyl oleoylimidazoline

Additive 2:

Tri-n-cetylamine (Armeen 316) N

Additive 3:

N-Heptadecyl diethanolamine (Ethomeen HT/12)

Additive 4:

Ethoxylated N-tallow alkyl trimethylenediamine (Ethoduomeen T/13)

Additive 5:

Dihydrogenated tallow alkyl methylamine (Armeen M2HT)

Additive 6: Tri-n-dodecylamine

Additive 7:

Tri-n-octadecyl-hexahydrotriazine (Sythesis Example 6)

Additive 8:

Tri-tert-octyl-melamine (Synthesis Example 1 )

Example A:

Film manufacture: In a turbo mixer (Caccia (RTM); Labo 10), the additives indicated in Table 1 are mixed with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE; Dowlex NG 5056-G (RTM)) which contains 0.10 % by weight of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite and 0.032 % by weight of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and which has a melt index of 1.1 g/10 min (190⁰C / 2.16 Kg). The mixture is extruded at a maximum temperature of 200 ⁰C using an O. M. C. twin-screw extruder (model ebv 19/25) to granules which are subsequently converted to a 12 μm thick film, using a blow-extruder (Formac (RTM)) working at a maximum temperature of 210 ⁰C.

I able 1 :

Film No. Additives*)

Film 1 None

Film 2 0.14% of Manganese stearate

Film 3 0.14% of Manganese stearate + 0.6 % of Additive 1 ^*) "%" means % by weight relative to the weight of the LLDPE.

Exposure:

The films are exposed in a static oven (Heraeus (RTM); model 6120 UT) running at 50 ⁰C.

Evaluation parameters:

Carbonyl increment (CO): Evaluation of the carbonyl band increment (1710 cm-1 ) in function of the exposure time is monitored with a FT-IR Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One (RTM).

Time to cracking: Visual failure of film samples is assessed according to time to the first evidence of surface cracking.

The results are indiacted in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 1 :

Carbonyl increment in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 2:

Time to cracking in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Example B: Film manufacture: In a turbo mixer (Caccia (RTM), Labo 10), the additives indicated in Table 4 are mixed with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE; Dowlex NG 5056-G (RTM)) which contains 0.10 % by weight of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite and 0.032 % by weight of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and which has a melt index of 1.1 g/10 min (190⁰C / 2.16 Kg). The mixture is extruded at a maximum temperature of 200 ⁰C using an O. M. C. twin-screw extruder (model ebv 19/25) to granules which are subsequently converted to a 12 μm thick film, using a blow-extruder (Formac (RTM)) working at a maximum temperature of 210 ⁰C.

^*) "%" means % by weight relative to the weight of the LLDPE.

Exposure methods:

1 ) The films are exposed in a static oven (Heraeus (RTM); model 6120 UT) running at 50 ⁰C.

2) The films are exposed in an ATLAS Weatherometer (WOM model Ci65A) equipped with a 6500W Xenon lamp (continuous light cycle, black panel temperature = 63 ⁰C).

The results are indicated in Tables 5 to 8 which list the carbonyl increment and the time to cracking.

Table 5:

Carbonyl increment in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 6:

Carbonyl increment in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 7:

Time to cracking in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 8:

Time to cracking in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Example C: FiIm manufacture: In a turbo mixer (Caccia (RTM), Labo 10), the additives indicated in Table 9 are mixed with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE; Dowlex NG 5056-G (RTM)) which contains 0.10 % by weight of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite and 0.032 % by weight of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and which has a melt index of 1.1 g/10 min (190⁰C / 2.16 Kg). The mixture is extruded at a maximum temperature of 200 ⁰C using an O. M. C. twin-screw extruder (model ebv 19/25) to granules which are subsequently converted to a 12 μm thick film, using a blow-extruder (Formac (RTM)) working at a maximum temperature of 210 ⁰C.

I able 9:

Film No. Additives*)

Film 10 None

Film 11 0.14% of Cobalt stearate

Film 12 0.14% of Cobalt stearate + 0.6% of Additive 6

^*) "%" means % by weight relative to the weight of the LLDPE.

Exposure methods:

1 ) The Films are exposed in a static oven (Heraeus (RTM); model 6120 UT) running at 50 ⁰C.

2) The films are exposed in an ATLAS Weatherometer (WOM model Ci65A) equipped with a 6500W Xenon lamp (continuous light cycle, black panel temperature = 63 ⁰C).

The results are listed in Tables 10 to 13.

Table 10:

Carbonyl increment in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 11 :

Carbonyl increment in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films

Table 12:

Time to cracking in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 13:

Time to cracking in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Example D:

Film manufacture: In a turbo mixer (Caccia (RTM), Labo 10) the additives indicated in Table 14 are mixed with lineat low density polyethylene (LLDPE; Dowlex NG 5056-G (RTM)) which contains 0.10 % by weight of tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite and 0.032 % by weight of octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate and which has a melt index of 1.1 g/10 min. (190⁰C / 2.16 Kg). The mixture is extruded at a maximum temperature of 200 ⁰C using an O. M. C. twin-screw extruder (model ebv 19/25) to granules which are subsequently converted to a 12 μm thick film, using a blow-extruder (Formac (RTM)) working at a maximum temperature of 210 ⁰C.

Table 14:

*) "%" means % by weight relative to the weight of the LLDPE.

Exposure methods:

1 ) The films are exposed in a static oven (Heraeus (RTM); model 6120 UT) running at 50 ⁰C.

2) The film samples are exposed in an ATLAS Weatherometer (WOM model Ci65A) equipped with a 6500W Xenon lamp (continuous light cycle, black panel temperature = 63 ⁰C).

The results are indicated in Tables 15 to 18 which list the carbonyl increment and the time to cracking.

Table 15: Carbonyl increment in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 16: Carbonyl increment in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films.

Table 17: Time to cracking in oven 50⁰C exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films

Table 18: Time to cracking in WOM exposure (in hours) of 12 microns LLDPE films

Claims

Claims:

1. A composition containing the components (A), (B-I) and (B-Il) wherein component (A) is an organic polymer; component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (I)

N(X₁)(X₂)(X₃) (I)

wherein Xi is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl;

X₂ is hydrogen, CrC₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl or C₅-C₈cycloalkyl; or

X₁ and X₂, together with the nitrogen atom, form morpholino;

X₃ is CrC₃₆alkyl, C₂-C₃₆alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); C₈-C₃₆alkenyl, C₅-C₈cycloalkyl or a group of the formula

(a)

or the radicals X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (b), (c) or (d)

Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ are independently of one another hydrogen, C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; Y₂₁ and Y₂₂ are independently of one another a group -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) or morpholino; Y₃₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl; Y₄₁ and Y₄₂ are independently of one another C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₈alkenyl; Y₅₁ is C₈-C₃₆alkyl or C₈-C₃₆alkenyl; if X₂ and X₃ form together a group of the formula (d), X₁ can additionally be C₂-C₃₆hydroxyalkyl; and component (B-Il) is an inorganic or organic salt of a transition metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ce, Co, Cu, V, Mn and Ni.

2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formulae (I), wherein Xi is C₈-C_2OaIkVl or C₈-C₂oalkenyl;

X₂ and X₃ are independently of one another CrC₂₀alkyl, C₂-C₂₀alkyl substituted by 1 , 2 or 3 radicals selected from the group consisting of -OH and -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂); or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl; and Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ independently of one another are C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₂-C₂₀hydroxyalkyl.

3. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (I) which corresponds to a compound of the formula (l-a)

wherein

X₁ is C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl; X₂ is hydrogen, C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl,

Or X₁ and X₂, together with the nitrogen atom, form morpholino;

Y₂₁ and Y₂₂ are independently of one another a group -N(Y₁₁)(Y₁₂) or morpholino; and

Y₁₁ and Y₁₂ are independently of one another hydrogen, C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

a compound of the formula (l-b)

wherein

X₁ and Y₃₁ independently of one another are C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl;

a compound of the formula (l-c)

wherein

Xi, Y₄₁ and Y₄₂ independently of one another are C₈-C₂oalkyl or C₈-C₂oalkenyl; or

a compound of the formula (l-d)

wherein

Xi is C₈-C₂₀alkyl, C₈-C₂₀alkenyl or C₂-C₂₀hydroxyalkyl; and Y₅₁ is C₈-C₂₀alkyl or C₈-C₂₀alkenyl.

4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (B-I) is an amine derivative of the formula (1-1 ), (I-2), (I-3), (I-4), (I-5), (I-6), (l-a-1 ), (l-a-2), (l-a-3), (l-b-1 ), (l-c-1 ) or (l-d-1 ).

5. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (B-Il) is a C₂-C₃₆Ca rboxy I ate of Fe,

6. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (B-Il) is a Ci₂-C₂oalkanoate of Mn or Co or a Ci₂-C₂oalkenoate of Mn or Co.

7. A composition according to claim 1 , which contains in addition one, two or more of the following components (B-III) a filler or reinforcing agent, (B-IV) a pigment, (B-V) a light stabilizer, (B-Vl) a processing additive, (B-VII) an antioxidant,

(B-VIII) an inorganic or organic salt of Ca, Mg, Zn or Al, or an oxide of Ca, Mg, Zn or Al, (B-IX) a terpene derivative, (B-X) an inorganic oxidant, (B-Xl) a compound containing a group

(B-XII) an acrylate polymer or copolymer or an acrylate derivative polymer or copolymer, (B-XIII) an oligomeric photosensitizer.

8. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (a) is a thermoplastic natural or synthetic polymer.

9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (a) is a polyolefin homo- or copolymer, a starch modified polyolefin or a starch based polymer composite.

10. A composition according to claim 1 wherein component (a) is polyethylene, polypropylene, a polyethylene copolymer or a polypropylene copolymer.

11. An article made of a composition as defined in claim 1 , which is selected from the group consisting of an agricultural article, a packaging material and a hygienic or medical article.

12. An article according to claim 11 , which is a mulch film.

13. A degradation accelerator mixture comprising the components (B-I) and (B-Il) as defined in claim 1.

14. A method for controlling the weathering resistance and the degradation of an organic polymer, which method comprises incorporating into the organic polymer components (B-I) and (B-Il) as defined in claim 1.

15. A compound of the formula