HEAT-CURABLE BIO-BASED CASTING COMPOSITION, MOLDING PRODUCED THEREFROM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A MOLDING

Abstract

Heat-curable bio-based casting composition, including: (a) one or more monofunctional and one or more polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomers of vegetable or animal origin, (b) one or more polymers or copolymers selected from among polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters derived from recycled material or of vegetable or animal origin, (c) inorganic filler particles of natural origin, where the proportion of the monofunctional and polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight and the proportion of the inorganic filler particles is 44-89% by weight.

Claims

1. A heat-curable bio-based casting composition, comprising: (a) one or more monofunctional and one or more polyfunctional acrylic and/or methacrylic biomonomers of vegetable or animal origin, (b) one or more polymers or copolymers selected from among polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyols, polyesters derived from recycled material or of vegetable or animal origin, (c) inorganic filler particles of natural origin, where the proportion of the monofunctional and polyfunctional acrylic and methacrylic biomonomer(s) is 10-40% by weight, the proportion of the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is 1-16% by weight and the proportion of the inorganic filler particles is 44-89% by weight.

2. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of monofunctional biomonomers to polyfunctional biomonomers is from 2:1 to 80:1, preferably from 4:1 to 70:1, in particular from 5:1 to 60:1.

3. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the monofunctional biomonomer(s) is/are selected from among bio-based acrylates, namely n-butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, isodecyl acrylate, dihydrodicyclopentadienyl acrylate, ethyl diglycol acrylate, heptadecyl acrylate, 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethylcaprolactone acrylate, polycaprolactone acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, 2-(2-ethoxy)ethyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-phenoxyethyl acrylate, ethoxylated 4-phenyl acrylate, tri methylcyclohexyl acrylate, octyldecyl acrylate, tridecyl acrylate, ethoxylated 4-nonylphenol acrylate, isobornyl acrylate, cyclic tri methylolpropane formal acrylate, ethoxylated 4-lauryl acrylate, polyester acrylate, stearyl acrylate, hyperbranched polyester acrylate, melamine acrylate, silicone acrylate, epoxy acrylate, and from among bio-based methacrylates, namely methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, behenyl methacrylate, ehenylpolyethylene glycol methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, stearylpolyethylene glycol methacrylate, isotridecyl methacrylate, ureidomethacrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate, phenoxyethyl methacrylate, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, methoxypolyethylene glycol methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, hexylethyl methacrylate, glycerol formal methacrylate, lauryltetradecyl methacrylate, C17,4-methacrylate.

4. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyfunctional biomonomer(s) is/are selected from among bio-based acrylates, namely 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, tripropylene glycol diacrylate, polybutadiene diacrylate, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol diacrylate, ethoxylated bisphenol A diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, ethoxylated hexanediol diacrylate, 1,10-decanediol diacrylate, ester diol diacrylate, alkoxylated diacrylate, tricyclodecanedimethanol diacrylate, propoxylated neopentyl glycol diacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, tri methylolpropane triacrylate, ditrimethylolpropane tetraacrylate, tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate triacrylate, dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, ethoxylated tri methylolpropane triacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, propoxylated tri methylolpropane triacrylate, ethoxylated pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate, aliphatic urethane diacrylate, aliphatic urethane hexaacrylate, aliphatic urethane triacrylate, aromatic urethane diacrylate, aromatic urethane triacrylate, aromatic urethane hexaacrylate, polyester hexaacrylate, epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate, and from among bio-based polyfunctional methcrylates, namely triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, 1,10-decanediol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate, tricyclodecanedimethanol dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate.

5. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of monofunctional and polyfunctional acrylates and methacrylates to the polymer(s) or copolymer(s) is from 90:10 to 60:40, preferably from 85:15 to 70:30.

6. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic filler particles are selected from among SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, Cr.sub.2O.sub.5, carbon, metals and metal alloys.

7. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic filler particles have a particle size of from 0.010 to 8000 m, preferably from 0.05 to 3000 m and in particular from 0.1 to 1300 m.

8. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic filler particles have an aspect ratio of length to width of from 1.0 to 1000.

9. The casting composition according to claim 1, wherein the casting composition has a viscosity which allows injection into a mold.

10. A molding produced using a casting composition according to claim 1.

11. The molding according to claim 10, wherein the molding is a kitchen sink, a shower base, a wash basin, a bathtub, a working surface or a floor, wall or ceiling panel.

12. The molding according to claim 10, wherein the polymerized material forming the molding is thermally stable in the range from 30 to 300 C.

13. The molding according to claim 10, wherein the material has an impact strength of from 2 to 5 mJ/mm.sup.2.

14. A method for producing a molding, wherein a casting composition according to claim 1 is used and is introduced into a mold in which it polymerizes at a temperature above room temperature, after which the polymerized molding is taken from the mold and cools.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the temperature during the polymerization is 60-140 C., preferably 75-130 C. and in particular 80-110 C.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the hold time during which the casting composition remains in the mold in order to polymerize is 15-50 min, preferably 20-45 min and in particular 25-35 min.

Description

EXAMPLES

[0042] A number of experimental examples to illustrate in more detail the casting composition of the invention, the molding of the invention and the method of the invention will be presented below.

Example 1

[0043] Production of Polymer Matrix Components from Various Monofunctional Monomers

[0044] Components used:

(a) Monofunctional Biomonomers:

[0045] isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH), lauryl methacrylate (LMA, Arkema France), isobornyl acrylate (IBOA; Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd), glycerol formal methacrylate (GLYFOMA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH), lauryl acrylate (LA, Arkema France), lauryltetradecyl methacrylate (LTDMA, Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd), C17,4-methacrylate (C17.4-MA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH).

[0046] Components are all of vegetable or animal origin, for example VISIOMER Terra IBOMA is produced from pine resin.

(b) Polymer:

[0047] Acrylglas-Feinmahlgut XP 85 (recycled PMMA (Kunststoff- and Farben-GmbH))

(c) Filler:

[0048] SiO.sub.2 [80% quartz particle size 0.06-0.3 mm (Dorfner GmbH); 20% quartz flour, particle size 0.1-0.70 m (Quarzwerke GmbH) and TiO.sub.2 particles (Crystal International B.V.)]

(d) Additives:

[0049] Bio-based dispersing additives (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH) and thixotropy additives (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH)

[0050] The compositions for producing polymer matrices are produced by dissolving Acrylglas-Feinmahlgut XP 85 (recycled PMMA (Kunststoff- and Farben-GmbH)) in the mixture of monofunctional monomers of Table 1: isobornyl methacrylate (Evonik Performance Materials GmbH), lauryl methacrylate LMA (Arkema France), isobornyl acrylate (Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd), glycerol formal methacrylate (Evonik Performance Materials GmbH), lauryl acrylate (Arkema France), lauryl tetradecyl methacrylate (Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd), C17,4-methacrylate (Evonik Performance Materials GmbH). The reaction mixture was heated at 40 C. in order to accelerate the solubility for 100 minutes until a clear solution had been obtained. To compare the matrix components, the compositions were prepared and are summarized in Table 1:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Monofunctional Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample biomonomers 1 2 3 4 5 Isobornyl methacrylate 80 45 50 Lauryl methacrylate 20 10 Isobornyl acrylate 80 45 40 60 Glycerol formal 30 methacrylate Lauryl acrylate 10 Lauryltetradecyl 20 methacrylate C17,4-Methacrylate 10

[0051] All samples from Table 1 were used as solvent for Acrylglas-Feinmahlgut XP 85 in a ratio of 80:20 to increase the viscosity of the reaction mixture (from 120 to 155 cPs, Brookfield Viscometer DVI Prime) followed by addition of 20% by weight of bio-(1,10-decanediol diacrylate) (Arkema France).

[0052] The clear solution of Acrylglas-Feinmahlgut XP85 in samples 1-5 with addition of bio-(1,10-DDDA) was used for dispersing a mixture of inorganic fillers (70% by weight), which contained 95% by weight of SiO.sub.2 [80% quartz particle size 0.06-0.3 mm (Dorfner GmbH), 20% quartz flour, particle size 0.1-0.70 m (Quarzwerke GmbH)] and 5% of TiO.sub.2 particles (Crystal International B.V.). Furthermore, a bio-based dispersing additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie) and thixotropy additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie) were added. The casting composition produced in this way was stirred for 20 minutes (Dispermat AE-3M, VMA-Getzmann GmbH). A molding in the form of a kitchen sink was produced from the casting composition by pouring the casting composition into a mold and polymerizing it at 110 C. for 35 minutes.

[0053] Mechanical and thermal properties of the kitchen sinks from samples 1-5.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Sample Sample Sample Sample Sample Comparative Properties 1 2 3 4 5 sink Impact toughness mJ/mm.sup.2 3.4 3.2 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.3 Scratch resistance + + + + + + Taber abrasion, g 17 19 16 11 14 12 Heat resistance* + + + + + + Temperature change + + + + + + resistance**

[0054] For the impact toughness measurements, 12 samples having a size of 806 mm were cut from the sink. The measurements were carried out on a ZwickRoell HIT P instrument.

[0055] For the scratch resistance measurements, a sample (100100 mm) was cut and the topography before and after scratching was measured (Mitutoyo Surftest SJ 500P).

[0056] For the Taber abrasion test, a sample (100100 mm) was cut and an abrasion test was carried out on an Elcometer 1720. [0057] The method is based on the test method DIN EN 13310, in which the test piece having a temperature of 180 C. is placed in the middle of the kitchen sink for 20 minutes without leaving behind any visible changes on the surface of the sink. [0058] The method is based on the test method DIN EN 13310, in which the sink is treated with cold-hot water for 1000 cycles. Hot water, T=90 C., flows for 90 seconds into the sink, followed by relaxation for 30 seconds, with further flowing cold water (T=15 C.) for the next 90 seconds. The cycle is ended by a relaxation for 30 seconds.

[0059] The composite material for the comparative sink was produced using organic compounds of petrochemical origin as per the patent application DE 38 32 351 A1.

[0060] The table shows that all properties measured on experimental examples at least correspond to those of the known comparative sink which consists of non-bio-based components as far as the monomers and polymers are concerned, or in most cases are even better than for the comparative sink. The impact toughness in particular is sometimes significantly improved in the case of samples 1-4.

Example 2

Production of Polymer Matrix Components Comprising Various Polyfunctional Monomers

[0061] Components used:

(a) Monofunctional Biomonomers:

[0062] IBOMA and LMA in a ratio of 80:20 of isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA, Arkema France)

(b) Polyfunctional Monomers

[0063] 1,10-(Decanediol diacrylate), propoxylated (3) glyceryl triacrylate (Arkema France), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (Arkema France) and epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate (Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd)

(c) Polymer:

[0064] Methacrylate copolymer (Rhm GmbH)

(d) Filler:

[0065] SiO.sub.2 [80% quartz particle size 0.06-0.3 mm (Dorfner GmbH); 20% quartz flour, particle size 0.1-0.70 m (Quarzwerke GmbH)] and TiO.sub.2 particles (Crystal International B.V.)

(e) Additives:

[0066] Bio-based dispersing additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH) and thixotropy additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH)

[0067] The compositions for production of polymer matrices are produced by dissolving methacrylate copolymer (Rhm GmbH) in the mixture of monofunctional monomers IBOMA and LMA in a ratio of 80:20. The reaction mixture was heated at 40 C. in order to accelerate the solubility for 150 minutes, followed by addition of the polyfunctional monomers: 1,10 DDDA, propoxylated (3) glyceryl triacrylate (Arkema France), polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEG-DMA, Arkema France), epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate (Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd), in order to finalize the composition for forming the polymer matrix. For comparison of the matrix components, the compositions were produced from various polyfunctional monomers and are summarized in Table 3. The concentration of the polyfunctional monomers is reported in % by weight of the amount of the monofunctional monomers:

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Polyfunctional biomonomers Sample 6 Sample 7 Sample 8 Sample 9 1,10-Decanediol diacrylate 34 26 10 Propoxylated (3) glyceryl 16 triacrylate Polyethylene glycol 10 dimethacrylate Epoxidized soybean oil 2 2 diacrylate
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of the Kitchen Sinks from Samples 6-9

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Sample Sample Sample Sample Comparative Properties 6 7 8 9 sink Impact toughness 3.3 2.9 3.2 2.7 2.3 mJ/mm.sup.2 Scratch resistance + + + + + Taber abrasion, g 17 19 15 15 12 Heat resistance* + + + + + Temperature change + + + + + resistance**

[0068] The measured values in Table 4 show that even within these experimental examples, the moldings sometimes have considerably improved mechanical properties, particularly in respect of the impact toughness and the scratch resistance. That is to say, not only an environmentally advantageous improvement but also an improvement of, in particular, the mechanical properties of the moldings is achieved by the use of the bio-based starting materials.

Example 3

Production of Polymer Matrix Components Using Various Recycled Polymers or Biopolymers

[0069] Components used:

(a) Monofunctional Biomonomers:

[0070] IBOMA and LMA in a ratio of 80:20 isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA, Arkema France)

(b) Polyfunctional Biomonomers: 20% by Weight of Bio-(1,10-Decanediol Diacrylate) (Arkema France)

(c) Polymer:

[0071] Recycled polymers and/or biopolymers and/or biocopolymers: recycled PMMA (Kunststoff- and Farben-GmbH), poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (Ningbo Tianan Biologic Material Co. Ltd), castor oil polymer (D.O.G Deutsche Oelfabrik Ges. f. chem. Erz. mbH & Co.KG)

(d) Filler:

[0072] SiO.sub.2 [80% quartz particle size 0.06-0.3 mm (Dorfner GmbH); 20% quartz flour, particle size 0.1-0.70 m (Quarzwerke GmbH)] and TiO.sub.2 particles (Crystal International B.V.)

(e) Additives:

[0073] Bio-based dispersing additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie) and thixotropy additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie)

[0074] The compositions for the production of polymer matrices are produced by dissolving recycled polymer and/or biopolymer and/or biocopolymer (recycled PMMA (Kunststoff-und Farben-GmbH), poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (Ningbo Tianan Biologic Material Co. Ltd), castor oil polymer (D.O.G Deutsche Oelfabrik Ges. f. chem. Erz. mbH & Co.KG)) in the mixture of monofunctional monomers IBOMA and LMA in a ratio of 80:20. The reaction mixture was heated at 40 C. in order to accelerate the a solubility for 100 minutes, followed by the addition of PEG-DMA (10% by weight of the monofunctional monomers) and epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate (2% by weight of the monofunctional monomers) to finalize the composition for forming the polymer matrix. To compare the matrix components, the compositions were produced from various biopolymers and are summarized in Table 5. The concentration of the biopolymer is reported in % by weight of the amount of the monofunctional monomers:

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Polymer Sample 10 Sample 11 Sample 12 Sample 13 Recycled PMMA 20 26 Poly-(3- 20 2 hydroxybutyrate-co-3- hydroxyvalerate) Castor oil polymer 25

[0075] Kitchen sinks were produced by the method described in Example 1.

[0076] Mechanical and thermal properties of the kitchen sinks from samples 10-13.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Sample Sample Sample Sample Comparative Properties 10 11 12 13 sink Impact 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.3 2.3 toughness mJ/mm.sup.2 Scratch + + + + + resistance Taber abrasion, 17 15 16 18 12 g Heat + + + + + resistance* Temperature + + + + + change resistance**

Example 4

Preparation of the Molding Using Various Inorganic Fillers

[0077] Components used:

(a) Monofunctional Biomonomers:

[0078] IBOMA and LMA in a ratio of 80:20 isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA, Evonik Performance Materials GmbH) and lauryl methacrylate (LMA, Arkema France)

(b) Polyfunctional Biomonomers:

[0079] PEG-DMA and epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate

(c) Polymer:

[0080] Recycled PMMA (Kunststoff- and Farben-GmbH)

(d) Filler:

[0081] Quartz, quartz flour, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, carbon black, graphite, aluminum hydroxide trihydrate

(e) Additives:

[0082] Bio-based dispersing additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH) and thixotropy additive (0.1%) (BYK Chemie GmbH)

[0083] A mixture for polymer matrix formation is produced as described in Examples 1, 2, 3. 20% by weight of recycled PMMA (Kunststoff- and Farben-GmbH) is dissolved in the mixture (80:20% by weight) of monofunctional monomers, IBOMA and LMA. The reaction mixture was heated at 40 C. in order to accelerate the solubility for 100 minutes, followed by the addition of the polyfunctional monomers, 10% by weight of PEG-DMA and 2% by weight of epoxidized soybean oil diacrylate, to conclude the composition for formation of the polymer matrix. For comparison, various inorganic fillers, which are summarized in Table 7, were added. Quartz particles were produced by Dorfner GmbH. Titanium dioxide particles were produced by Cristal International. Iron oxide particles were produced by Harold Scholz & Co GmbH. Natural carbon black particles (Orion Engineered Carbon GmbH), natural graphite were produced by RMC Remacon GmbH. Aluminum hydroxide trihydrate (ATH) was produced by SHIJIAZHUANG CHENSHI IMPORT AND EXPORT CO. LTD.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Sample Sample Sample Sample Filler 14 15 16 17 Quartz, particle size 52 20 30 0.06-0.3 mm Quartz, particle size 55 0.4-0.8 mm Quartz, particle size 20 0.9-1.3 mm Quartz flour, particle size 13 10 10 5 0.1-0.70 m Titanium dioxide particles 5 Iron oxide particles 5 Carbon black particles 10 Graphite 20 Aluminum hydroxide trihydrate 30

[0084] The concentration of the biopolymer is reported in % by weight based on the total amount of the material.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Sample Sample Sample Sample Comparative Properties 14 15 16 17 sink Impact toughness 2.8 2.3 2.7 2.7 2.3 mJ/mm.sup.2 Scratch resistance + + + + + Taber abrasion, g 24 25 14 12 Heat resistance* + + + + + Temperature + + + + + change resistance**

[0085] Here too, the examples according to the invention which differ in terms of the fillers sometimes display considerably better measured values, in particular in respect of impact toughness and the scratch resistance and also abrasion, compared to the comparative molding.

Example 8

Calculation of the Bio-Renewable Carbon Index (BCI) in Casting Compositions According to the Invention

[0086]

TABLE-US-00009 Sam- Sam- BRC, ple ple Composition % 15 16 IBOA, C.sub.13H.sub.20O.sub.2 77 44 45 LMA, C.sub.16H.sub.30O.sub.2 75 10.73 11 1,10-DDDA, C.sub.16H.sub.26O.sub.4 60 5.34 4.4 Epoxidized soybean oil 89 1.6 1.3 diacrylate, C.sub.63H.sub.108O.sub.15 THBV, 100 17.9 2 (OCH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CO).sub.x(OCH(C.sub.2H.sub.5)CH.sub.2CO).sub.y Castor oil polymer, C.sub.57H.sub.104O.sub.9 100 25 Total BCI, % 79.57 88.7

[0087] BCI for the sinks made from the petrochemical raw materials is 0.

[0088] The BCI of the chemical components is calculated according to the following formula:

BCI=100(BRC/C), where

BCI=bio-renewable carbon index in %
BRC=amount of bio-renewable carbon
C=total amount of carbon

[0089] For example: isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) has the formula: C.sub.13H.sub.20O.sub.2

##STR00001##

BRC=10

C=13

[0090]
.fwdarw.BCI=100(10/13)=76.9%

[0091] The total BCI for bio-composite material is calculated by calculation of the BRC in the composite, as a function of the BRC of each component of the composite.

[0092] For example:

[0093] Sample 15 has the following composition or proportion in % in respect of the carbon-containing chemicals:

TABLE-US-00010 IBOA- 57.1 LMA- 14.3 1,10 DDDA- 8.9 eSojalDA- 1.8 THBV- 17.9 Total 100

[0094] The percentage chemical content is multiplied by the BCI content.

TABLE-US-00011 IBOA- (57.1 77) / 100 = 44 LMA- (14.3 75) /100 = 10.73 1,10 DDDA- (8.9 60) /100 = 5.34 eSojalDA- (1.8 89) /100 = 1.60 THBV- (17.9 100) /100 = 17.9 Total 79.57

[0095] The second characteristic which gives a picture of the content of renewable raw materials is the RRM value (renewable raw material, in % by weight).

[0096] RRM=weight of the renewable raw materials divided by the weight of the end product

[0097] The inorganic fillers used are derived 100% from renewable sources: sand particles, mineral particles, carbon black from burnt wood, graphite.

[0098] The example of the calculation of RRM for the organic phase is illustrated with the aid of Sample 15.

[0099] Sample 15 composed of the organic chemicals has a composition in %:

TABLE-US-00012 IBOA- 57.1 LMA- 14.3 1,10 DDDA- 8.9 eSojalDA- 1.8 THBV- 17.9 Total 100

[0100] Molecular weight for the chemicals is:

TABLE-US-00013 IBOA- 208 LMA- 254 1,10 DDDA- 282 eSojalDA- 1104 THBV (repeating segment)- 186

[0101] having a proportion by weight of renewable raw materials of:

TABLE-US-00014 IBOA (C.sub.11H.sub.18O)- 166 LMA (C.sub.13H.sub.25O)- 197 1,10 DDDA (C.sub.12H.sub.20O.sub.2)- 196 eSoyalDA (C.sub.55H.sub.108O.sub.11)- 944 THBV 186

[0102] The RRM value for the chemicals is:

TABLE-US-00015 IBOA- 100 166 / 208 = 79.8 LMA- 100 197 / 254 = 77.6 1,10 DDDA- 100 196 / 282 = 69.5 eSojalDA- 100 944 / 1104 = 85.5 THBV (repeating segment) 100 186 / 186 = 100

[0103] The percentage chemical content is multiplied by the RRM value.

TABLE-US-00016 IBOA- (57.1 79.8) / 100 = 45.57 LMA- (14.3 77.6) /100 = 11.10 1,10 DDDA- (8.9 69.5) /100 = 6.19 eSojalDA- (1.8 85.5) /100 = 1.54 THBV- (17.9 100) /100 = 17.9 Total 82.3

[0104] The RRM value for the binder material is 82.3 (% by weight), while for the total sink the RRM value is 94.69 (% by weight).

RRM=(82.330)/100+(70100)/100=94.69(% by weight)

[0105] In comparison thereto, the RRM value for sinks made from petrochemical raw materials is 66-69 (% by weight), since the inorganic filler particles used are, as mentioned in claim 1 (c), of natural origin.