Recycling Eutectic Composition

Abstract

The invention pertains to a recycling composition comprising a lactam and/or a eutectic composition comprising a lactam and a eutecting agent.

Claims

1. A recycling composition comprising a lactam and/or a eutectic composition comprising a lactam and a eutecting agent.

2. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the lactam is selected from the group consisting of 2-azetidinone, g-butyrolactam, 2-piperidinone and e-caprolactam.

3. The recycling Recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the lactam is e-caprolactam.

4. The recycling composition according to claim 1 further comprising used polymer.

5. The recycling composition according to claim 1 further comprising additives from used polymer.

6-8. (canceled)

9. A process for recycling of used polymer comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the used polymer with the recycling composition according to claim 1; (b) optionally shredding the used polymer before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture; and (d) separating the recycling composition comprising at least part of the additives present in the used polymer from the used polymer; and (e) cooling the recycling composition and/or the used polymer before, during and/or after step (d).

10. A process for delaminating at least one polymer layer from a laminated substrate comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the laminated substrate with the recycling composition according to claim 1; (b) optionally shredding the laminated substrate before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture; (d) separating the at least one polymer layer from the substrate; (e) optionally separating the recycling composition comprising at least part the polymer and/or the additives present in the laminated substrate from the substrate; and (f) cooling the recycling composition and/or the substrate before, during and/or after step (d).

11. A process for separating a first used polymer and a second used polymer comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the first and second used polymers with the recycling composition according to claim 1; (b) optionally shredding the first and/or second used polymer before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture; (d) separating the recycling composition comprising at least part of the additives present in the first and/or second used polymers from the used polymers; and (e) cooling the recycling composition and/or the first and/or second used polymer before, during and/or after step (d) to below the highest glass temperature of the first or second used polymer.

12. A process for removing the coating from a coated substrate comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the coated substrate with the recycling composition according to claim 1; (b) optionally shredding the coated substrate before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture or the coated substrate; and (d) separating the cured coating composition from the substrate.

13. A process for recycling of used paper comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the used paper with the recycling composition according to claim 1; (b) optionally shredding the used paper before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture; (d) separating the recycling composition comprising at least part of the additives present in the used paper from the used cellulose fibers; and (e) cooling the recycling composition and/or the used paper before, during and/or after step (d).

14. A process for cleaning of contaminated used material comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the contaminated used material with the recycling composition according to claim 1 at a temperature below 80° C.; (b) optionally shredding the contaminated used material before, during and/or after step (a); (c) optionally increasing the temperature of the mixture while maintaining the temperature below 80° C.; (d) separating the recycling composition comprising at least part of the contaminants present in the contaminated used material from the used material; and (e) optionally cooling the recycling composition and/or the used material before, during and/or after step (d).

15. The process according to claim 13, wherein the temperature of the recycling composition and/or the mixture in step (a) is room temperature.

16. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the lactam comprises g-caprolactam and e-caprolactam.

17. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the eutectic composition comprises g-caprolactam and e-caprolactam and a eutecting agent.

18. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the eutecting agent comprises a hydrogen-bond donor, an electron pair donor, hydrogen-bond acceptor, an electron pair acceptor or a metal salt.

19. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the eutecting agent is selected from the group consisting of cyclic acids, aliphatic acids, cyclic acid anhydrides, aliphatic acid anhydrides, amines, amides, imides and alcohols.

20. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the eutecting agent is present in an amount of 10 wt % to 99 wt % based on the total weight of the eutectic composition.

21. The recycling composition according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio between lactam and the eutecting agent is between 0.01 and 100.

22. The recycling composition according to claim 16, wherein the molar ratio between lactam and the eutecting agent is between 0.01 and 100.

23. The recycling composition according to claim 1 further comprising one or more of water, a second eutecting agent, a solvent, or a hydroxide salt.

Description

EXAMPLES

Example 1

γ-Butyrolactam and ε-Caprolactam (Weight Ratio 1:1)

[0192] 5 g of γ-butyrolactam (solid) was mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

[0193] Distillation of the resulting liquid resulted in a distillate which was as transparent and clear as the initial liquid. No solids were formed in the remaining liquid and distillate. The remaining liquid and the distillate have the same composition as was confirmed with FT-IR.

Example 2

γ-Butyrolactam and ε-Caprolactam (Weight Ratio 2:1)

[0194] 10 g of γ-butyrolactam (solid) was mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 3

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:1)

[0195] 5 g of γ-butyrolactam (solid) was mixed with 6.6 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. To the liquid, 8.1 g of salicyclic acid (solid) was added. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

[0196] The resulting liquid remained liquid at −28° C.

[0197] Water was added to the liquid of Example 4, and the liquid remained transparent even at 30 wt % of water. Moreover, the resulting liquid with water content up to 5 wt % remained liquid at −28° C. The liquid with a water content of 30 wt % was solidified at −28° C.

Example 4

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:2)

[0198] 5 g of γ-butyrolactam (solid) was mixed with 6.6 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. To the liquid, 16.2 g of salicyclic acid (solid) was added. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

[0199] The resulting liquid remained liquid at −28° C.

[0200] Water was added to the liquid of Example 5, and the liquid remained transparent even at 40 wt % of water. Moreover, the resulting liquid with water content up to 5 wt % remained liquid at −28° C. The liquid with a water content of 40 wt % was solidified at −28° C.

Example 5

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:1) Neutralized

[0201] A recycling composition of Example 4 was prepared. To this composition dimethyl ethanol amine (DMAE) was added until a pH of 7 was reached. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 6

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:1) Neutralized

[0202] A recycling composition of Example 4 was prepared. To this composition n-butyl diethanol amine was added until a pH of 7 was reached. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 7

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:2) Neutralized

[0203] A recycling composition of Example 5 was prepared. To this composition dimethyl ethanol amine (DMAE) was added until a pH of 7 was reached. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 8

γ-Butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:2) Neutralized

[0204] A recycling composition of Example 5 was prepared. To this composition n-butyl diethanol amine was added until a pH of 7 was reached. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 9

ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0205] 4 g of lactic acid and 1 g of de-ionized water were mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 10

ε-Caprolactam, Citric Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0206] 4 g of citric acid and 1 g of de-ionized water were mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 11

ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 9:1)

[0207] 0.5 g of de-ionized water were mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 12

ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 8:2)

[0208] 1 g of de-ionized water were mixed with 5 g ε-caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 13

ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and NX-800 (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0209] 4 g of lactic acid and 1 g of NX 800 (diisobutyrate ester) were mixed with 5 g ε-Caprolactam (solid). The mixture was heated to about 70° C. until the mixture turns into a liquid. Subsequently, the liquid mixture was cooled to room temperature. A pourable, transparent liquid was obtained.

Example 14

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0210] A piece (3 by 4 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Zywiec® beer can. The coated can piece was added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entire can piece. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes a clean piece of aluminum was obtained and a coloured solution.

Example 15

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Citric Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0211] A piece (3 by 4 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Zywiec® beer can. The coated can piece was added to a solvent system according to Example 910 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entire can piece. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes a clean piece of aluminum was obtained and a coloured solution.

Example 16

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 8:2)

[0212] A piece (3 by 4 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Zywiec® beer can. The coated can piece was added to a solvent system according to Example 12 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entire can piece. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes a clean piece of aluminum was obtained and a coloured solution.

Example 17

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Nx 800 (weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0213] A piece (3 by 4 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Zywiec® beer can. The coated can piece was added to a solvent system according to Example 13 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entire can piece. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes a clean piece of aluminum was obtained and a coloured solution.

Examples 18 and 19

PET with Label Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam and Water

[0214] 10 pieces (1 by 2 cm) of a transparent PET with a printed paper label attached to the PET was cut out of a PET bottle. The PET pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 11 in a glass beaker to which water was added to reach a 1 wt % ε-caprolactam solvent system. The solvent covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 60 minutes clean pieces of PET were obtained that do not stick. Additionally, pieces of the labels were obtained separate from the PET pieces, the label pieces were sticky (Example 18).

[0215] The same procedure was performed with a solvent system comprising 50 wt % ε-Caprolactam. After 60 minutes clean pieces of PET were obtained that do not stick. Additionally, pieces of the labels were obtained separate from the PET pieces, the label pieces were sticky (Example 19).

Examples 20 and 21

PET with Label Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water

[0216] 10 pieces (1 by 2 cm) of a transparent PET with a printed paper label attached to the PET was cut out of a PET bottle. The PET pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker to which water was added to reach a 1 wt % ε-caprolactam solvent system. The solvent covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 60 minutes clean pieces of PET were obtained that do not stick. Additionally, pieces of the labels were obtained separate from the PET pieces, the label pieces were sticky (Example 20).

[0217] The same procedure was performed with a solvent system comprising 50 wt % ε-caprolactam.

[0218] After 60 minutes clean pieces of PET were obtained that do not stick. Additionally, pieces of the labels were obtained separate from the PET pieces, the label pieces were sticky (Example 21).

Example 22

Brown PET Treated with ε-Caprolactam and Water

[0219] 10 pieces (1 by 2 cm) of a brown PET was cut out of a brown PET beer bottle (Jelen®). The PET pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 11 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 30 minutes greyish pieces of PET were obtained and the solution was coloured (Example 22).

Examples 23 and 24

Colored PET Treated with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0220] 30 pieces (1 by 1 cm) of a PET of different colours (transparent, green, red, blue) were obtained from a PET recycling plant, the PET pieces were without labels. The PET pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 30 minutes transparent pieces of PET were obtained and the solution was coloured (Example 23).

[0221] The same procedure was performed with the same solvent system except that the PET pieces were kept at room temperature for 60 minutes. Transparent PET pieces were obtained and the solution was coloured (Example 24).

Example 25

Milka® Chocolate Wrapping Treated with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0222] A piece of 3 by 4 cm was cut out of a purple Milka® chocolate wrapping. The piece of wrapping was added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entire piece. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C.

[0223] After 3 minutes a clean and fully discoloured piece of polymer and a coloured solution were obtained.

Example 26

Bonite® Coffee Wrapping Treated with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0224] A piece of 3 by 4 cm was cut out of a purple Bonite® coffee wrapping. The piece of wrapping was added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker, to which water was added to reach a 50 wt % ε-caprolactam solvent system. The solvent covered the coffee wrapping piece in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 20 minutes a clean and fully discoloured piece of polymer, a clean sheet of aluminium and a coloured solution were obtained. Complete delamination of the aluminium and polymer layers was achieved.

Example 27

Bonite® Coffee Wrapping Treated with ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 9:1)

[0225] A piece of 3 by 4 cm was cut out of a purple Bonite® coffee wrapping. The piece of wrapping was added to a solvent system according to Example 11 in a glass beaker, to which water was added to reach a 50 wt % ε-caprolactam solvent system. The solvent covered the coffee wrapping piece in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 20 minutes a clean and fully discoloured piece of polymer, a clean sheet of aluminium and a coloured solution were obtained. Complete delamination of the aluminium and polymer layers was achieved.

Example 28

Camel® Tobacco Wrapping Treated with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0226] A piece of 3 by 4 cm was cut out of a purple Camel® tobacco wrapping. The piece of wrapping was added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the tobacco wrapping piece in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 20 minutes a clean and fully discoloured piece of PET polymer, a clean and fully discoloured sheet of LDPE polymer and a coloured solution (containing aluminium particles) were obtained. Complete delamination of the PET and LDPE layers was achieved.

Example 29

Verkade® Cookies Wrapping Treated with γ-butyrolactam, ε-Caprolactam and Salicylic Acid (Molar Ratio 1:1:2)

[0227] A piece of 3 by 4 cm was cut out of a purple Verkade® cookies wrapping. The piece of wrapping was added to a solvent system according to Example 4 in a glass beaker, to which 20 wt % water was added. The solvent covered the cookies wrapping piece in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 30 minutes a clean and fully discoloured piece of PET polymer, a clean and fully discoloured white piece of PP polymer and a coloured (purple-brownish) solution were obtained. Complete delamination of the PET and PP layers was achieved.

Example 30

Polypropylene Treated with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water

[0228] A piece of polypropylene (PP) was added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the PP pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. After 5 minutes the PP dissolved and a clear solution was obtained.

[0229] The solution was cooled to room temperature and the PP solidified.

Example 31

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0230] 5 pieces (2 by 5 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Grolsch® beer can. The coated can pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entirety of the can pieces. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes clean pieces of aluminum were obtained and a coloured solution.

Example 32

Coated Aluminium Can Cleaned with ε-Caprolactam, Lactic Acid and Water (Weight Ratio 5:4:1)

[0231] 5 pieces (2 by 5 cm) of a coated can was cut out of a Heineken® beer can. The coated can pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 9 in a glass beaker, which solvent covered the entirety of the can pieces. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 190° C. After 30 minutes clean pieces of aluminum were obtained and a coloured solution.

Examples 33 and 34

Coloured PET Treated with ε-Caprolactam and Water (3 wt % Caprolactam)

[0232] 3 g ε-Caprolactam and 0.3 g potassium hydroxide were dissolved in 96.7 g of de-ionized water to form a washing solution. 30 pieces (1 by 1 cm) of a transparent, colorless PET were obtained from a PET recycling plant, the PET pieces were without labels and contained tackifier. The

[0233] PET pieces were added to a washing solution in a glass beaker. The solution covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The solution with PET pieces was stirred and heated to a temperature of 70° C. After 30 minutes clean (without tackifier) transparent pieces of PET were obtained and the solution was brownish (Example 33).

[0234] The clean PET pieces were washed with water, dried and subsequently put into an oven at a temperature of 220° C. for 20 minutes. The resulting PET did not contain black or dark brown spots, which is an indication of the absence of tackifier.

[0235] The same procedure was performed with the same washing solution except that the PET pieces were kept at room temperature for 30 minutes. Clean and transparent PET pieces were obtained and the solution was brownish (Example 34).

[0236] The clean PET pieces were washed with water, dried and subsequently put into an oven at a temperature of 220° C. for 20 minutes. The resulting PET did not contain black or dark brown spots, which is an indication of the absence of tackifier.

Examples 35

Coloured PET Treated with ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 9:1)

[0237] 30 pieces (1 by 1 cm) of a PET of different colours (transparent, green, red, blue) were obtained from a PET recycling plant, the PET pieces were without labels. The PET pieces were added to a solvent system according to Example 10 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the PET pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. for 60 minutes and shaken frequently. Upon cooling of the solvent system, a greyish powder of PET was obtained, which was filtered and dried. DSC and IR confirmed that the PET is similar to the PET in the initial PET pieces. The resulting filtrate was brownish and was subsequently filtered over active carbon powder to obtain a transparent, colourless solvent (Example 35).

Examples 36

Printed Cardboard Treated with ε-Caprolactam and Water (Weight Ratio 9:1)

[0238] 30 pieces (1 by 1 cm) of a printed cardboard (with black ink) were added to a solvent system according to Example 10 in a glass beaker. The solvent covered the cardboard pieces in its entirety. The glass beaker was put into an oven at a temperature of 200° C. for 60 minutes and shaken frequently. Upon cooling of the solvent system, a white slurry was obtained. The resulting filtrate was greyish and was subsequently filtered over active carbon powder to obtain a transparent, colourless solvent. The white slurry was filtered and dried in an oven to obtain a greyish solid of cellulose fibers (Example 36).