UPGRADED HIGH GLOSS RECYCLING COMPOSITION

Abstract

A polyolefin composition (C) obtainable by blending: a recycling blend (A) with a virgin polypropylene homopolymer and optionally a virgin high density polyethylene.

Claims

1. A polypropylene composition (C) obtainable by blending: a) 20.0 to 80.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising: A-1) isotactic polypropylene, A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers, wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 19:1 to 3:7, and wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste; b) 20.0 to 80.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having, (i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min, (ii) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa, c) 0.0 to 15.0 wt. % of a virgin high density polyethylene having, (i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 2 to 8 g/10 min, (ii) a density of 950 to 960 kg/m.sup.3 (ISO 1183), d) 0.0 to 5.0 wt. % of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch, e) 0.0 to 3.0 wt. % of additives selected from the group of antioxidants and UV stabilizers, whereby components a) to e) add up to 100 wt. %.

2. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 1, obtainable by blending: a) 20.0 to 50.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising: A-1) isotactic polypropylene, A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers, wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 19:1 to 3:2, and wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste; b) 50.0 to 80.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having, (i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min, (ii) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa, c) 0.0 to 15.0 wt. % of a virgin high density polyethylene having, (i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 2 to 8 g/10 min, (ii) a density of 950 to 960 kg/m.sup.3 (ISO 1183), d) 0.0 to 5.0 wt.-% of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch, e) 0.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of additives selected from the group of antioxidants and UV stabilizers, whereby components a) to d) add up to 100 wt. %.

3. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 2, wherein: the virgin high density polyethylene has: (iii) a tensile modulus (1 mm/min; ISO 527-2) of at least 800 MPa, optionally up to 1300 MPa.

4. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 2, wherein: the virgin high density polyethylene has: (iv) a heat deflection temperature (0.45 MPa; ISO 75-2) of at least 62° C. and optionally up to 100° C.

5. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 2, wherein: the virgin high density polyethylene has; (v) a shore D hardness of 56 to 64 (ISO 868).

6. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 1, obtainable by blending: a) 50.0 to 80.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising: A-1) isotactic polypropylene, A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers, wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 3:2 to 2:3, and wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste; b) 20.0 to 50.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having, (i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min, (ii) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa, c) 0.0 to 5.0 wt. % of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch, d) 0.0 to 3.0 wt % of additives selected from the group of antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers, whereby components a) to d) add up to 100 wt. %.

7. The polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 1, wherein: the virgin polypropylene homopolymer has: (vi) a tensile strength of 30 to 45 MPa (ISO 527-2); and/or (vii) a heat deflection temperature B (0.45 MPa; ISO 75-2) of at least 76° C.

8. A polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 1, wherein: blend (A) has a content of limonene as determined by using solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) of: i) from 1 ppm to 100 ppm; or ii) from 0.10 ppm to less than 1 ppm.

9. A polypropylene composition (C) according to claim 1, wherein blend (A) contains one or more of following components: polystyrene, polyamide, paper, wood and/or polyester in amounts of less than 1 wt. %.

10-11. (canceled)

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, blend (A) has a content of limonene as determined by using solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) of from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm, preferably from 1 ppm to 50 ppm, more preferably from 2 ppm to 50 ppm, most preferably from 3 ppm to 35 ppm. In a second embodiment, blend (A) has a content of limonene as determined by using solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) of from 0.10 ppm to less than 1 ppm, preferably 0.10 to less than 0.85 ppm, most preferably 0.10 to less than 0.60 ppm.

[0034] Blend (A) according to the second embodiment can be prepared by subjecting blend (A) according to the first embodiment to washing and/or aeration. Washing can be effected by industrial washers such as provided by Herbold Meckesheim GmbH. Depending on the origin of the waste stream, several washing cycles may be necessary. Various aeration processes such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,230 are also known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,230 is incorporated by reference herewith. The process as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,230 is preferably combined with a washing stage as described above.

[0035] A particularly preferred embodiment is

a polypropylene composition (C) obtainable by blending:
a) 20.0 to 40.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising
A-1) isotactic polypropylene
A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers
wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 19:1 to 3:2,
and
wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste;
b) 60.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having
(v) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min
(vi) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa
c) 0.0 to 5.0 wt.-% of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch
d) 0.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of additives selected from antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers whereby components a) to d) add up to 100 wt.-%.

[0036] In this embodiment no virigin polyethylene is added. In other words, the composition does not include virgin polyethylene.

[0037] In this embodiment the carbon black polypropylene masterbatch is preferably present in an amount of 1.0 to 3.0 wt.-%. The invention insofar provides as a particularly preferred embodiment

a polypropylene composition (C) obtainable by blending:
a) 20.0 to 32.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising
A-1) isotactic polypropylene
A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers
wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 19:1 to 3:2,
and
wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste;
b) 65.0 to 79.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having
(vii) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min
(viii) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa
c) 1.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch
d) 0.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers
whereby components a) to d) add up to 100 wt.-%.

[0038] An alternative also preferred embodiment is

a polypropylene composition (C) obtainable by blending:
a) 20.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a blend (A) comprising
A-1) isotactic polypropylene
A-2) polyethylene as well as ethylene containing copolymers
wherein the weight ratio of isotactic polypropylene (A-1) and polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers (A-2) is from 19:1 to 3:2, and
wherein blend (A) is a recycled material, which is recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or post-industrial waste;
b) 50.0 to 74.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the composition, of a virgin polypropylene homopolymer having
(i) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 12 to 27 g/10 min
(ii) a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of at least 1200 MPa
c) 5.0 to 15.0 wt.-% of a virgin high density polyethylene having
(iii) MFR (230° C., 2.16 kg; ISO 1133) in the range of 2 to 8 g/10 min
(iv) a density of 950 to 960 kg/m.sup.3 (ISO 1183),
d) 1.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of a carbon black polypropylene masterbatch
e) 0.0 to 3.0 wt.-% of additives selected from the group of antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers
whereby components a) to e) add up to 100 wt.-%.

[0039] These specifically preferred embodiments may be combined with all aspects as disclosed herein in the specification and the claims with respect to the virgin polypropylene, the virgin polyethylene and/or the carbon black polypropylene masterbatch.

Experimental Part

Measurement Methods

Melt Flow Rate

[0040] The melt flow rate (MFR) is determined according to ISO 1133 and is indicated in g/10 min. The MFR is an indication of the flowability, and hence the processability, of the polymer. The higher the melt flow rate, the lower the viscosity of the polymer. The MFR2 of polypropylene is determined at a temperature of 230° C. and a load of 2.16 kg. The MFR2 of polyethylene is determined at a temperature of 190° C. and a load of 2.16 kg.

Amount of iPP, Polystyrene, Polyethylene (and Ethylene Containing Copolymers), Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate), and Amount of Polyamide-6

[0041] To establish different calibration curves different standards, iPP and HDPE and iPP, PS and PA6 were blended. For the quantification of the content of the foreign polymers, IR spectra were recorded in the solid-state using a Bruker Vertex 70 FTIR spectrometer. Films were prepared with a compression-moulding device at 190° C. with 4-6 MPa clamping force. The thickness of the films for the calibration standards for iPP and HDPE was 300 μm and for the quantification of the iPP, PS and PA 6 50-100 pm film thickness was used. Standard transmission FTIR spectroscopy is employed using a spectral range of 4000-400 cm-1, an aperture of 6 mm, a spectral resolution of 2 cm-1, 16 background scans, 16 spectrum scans, an interferogram zero filling factor of 32 and Norton Beer strong apodisation.

[0042] The absorption of the band at 1167 cm-1 in iPP is measured and the iPP content is quantified according to a calibration curve (absorption/thickness in cm versus iPP content in weight %).

[0043] The absorption of the band at 1601 cm-1 (PS) and 3300 cm-1 (PA6) are measured and the PS and PA6 content quantified according to the calibration curve (absorption/thickness in cm versus PS and PA content in wt %). The content of polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers is obtained by subtracting (iPP+PS+PA6) from 100, taking into account the content of non-polymeric impurities as determined in the methods below. The analysis is performed as a double determination.

Amount of Talc and Chalk

[0044] The talc and chalk contents were measured by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA); experiments were performed with a Perkin Elmer TGA 8000. Approximately 10-20 mg of material was placed in a platinum pan. The temperature was equilibrated at 50° C. for 10 minutes, and afterwards raised to 950° C. under nitrogen at a heating rate of 20° C./min. The weight loss between ca. 550° C. and 700° C. (WCO2) was assigned to CO2 evolving from CaCO3, and therefore the chalk content was evaluated as:

Chalk content=100/44×WCO2

[0045] Afterwards the temperature was lowered to 300° C. at a cooling rate of 20° C./min. Then the gas was switched to oxygen, and the temperature was raised again to 900° C. The weight loss in this step was assigned to carbon black (Wcb). Knowing the content of carbon black and chalk, the ash content excluding chalk and carbon black was calculated as:

Ash content=(Ash residue)−56/44×WCO2−Wcb

[0046] Where Ash residue is the weight % measured at 900° C. in the first step conducted under nitrogen. The ash content is estimated to be the same as the talc content for the investigated recyclates.

Amount of Paper and Wood

[0047] The contents of paper and wood were determined by conventional laboratory methods including milling, floatation, microscopy and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA).

Amount of Metals

[0048] The metal content was determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF).

Amount of Limonene

[0049] The limonene content was determined by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS).

[0050] Additional details are given below with respect to the specific sample.

Amount of Total Fatty Acids

[0051] The fatty acid content was determined by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Additional details are given below with respect to the specific sample.

[0052] The tensile modulus (TM) (and tensile strength) were measured according to ISO 527-2 (cross head speed=1 mm/min for determination of the modulus, thereafter switching to 50 mm/min until break at 23° C.) using injection molded specimens as described in EN ISO 5247-2 (dog bone shape, 4 mm thickness). The measurement was done after 96 h conditioning time of the specimen under standard climate conditions (23° C. and 50% relative humidity).

[0053] The impact strength was determined as Charpy Notched Impact Strength (NIS) according to ISO 179-1 eA at +23° C. on injection molded specimens of 80×10×4 mm prepared according to EN ISO 1873-2. According to this standard samples are tested after 96 hours conditioning at 23° C. and 50% relative humidity.

[0054] The gloss was measured according to DIN 67530 at an angle of 60° on injection molded grained specimens. Additional measurements were carried out at 85°. If not mentioned otherwise, “gloss” denotes the gloss measured according to DIN 67530 at an angle of 60°.

[0055] Flexural modulus was determined in 3-point-bending according to ISO 178 on injection molded specimens of 80×10×4 mm prepared in accordance with ISO 294-1:1996.

[0056] Density was determined according to ISO 1183-187. Sample preparation was done by compression moulding in accordance with ISO 1872-2:2007.

[0057] Heat deflection temperature was determined according to ISO 75-2.

[0058] The HDT was determined on injection molded test specimens of 80×10×4 mm.sup.3 prepared according to ISO 1873-2 and stored at +23° C. for at least 96 hours prior to measurement.

[0059] The test was performed on flatwise supported specimens according to ISO 75, condition A, with a nominal surface stress of 1.80 MPa.

[0060] Shore D was determined according to ISO 868.

EXAMPLES

[0061] A polypropylene-rich recyclate and a lower quality polypolypropylene/polyethlyene;ethylene copolymers containing recyclate have been used as blend (A) both recyclates originating from household trash.

TABLE-US-00001 Polypropylene-rich recyclate Isotactic Polypropylene 92 wt.-% Polyethylene and Polyethylene Copolymers 7 wt.-% Ratio iPP//PE + PE-CoPo) 13:1 Polystyrene <<1.0 wt.-% Polyamide-6 <0.3 wt.-% Poly(ethylene terephthalate) trace Talc content <0.5 wt.-% Chalk content <0.5 wt.-% Limonene content 2.1 ppm Total fatty acid content nd

Limonene Content

Measurement

[0062] Limonene quantification was carried out using solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) by standard addition.

[0063] 50 mg ground samples were weighed into 20 mL headspace vials and after the addition of limonene in different concentrations and a glass-coated magnetic stir bar, the vial was closed with a magnetic cap lined with silicone/PTFE. Micro capillaries (10 pL) were used to add diluted limonene standards of known concentrations to the sample. Addition of 0, 2, 20 and 100 ng equals 0 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg limonene, in addition standard amounts of 6.6, 11 and 16.5 mg/kg limonene were used in combination with some of the samples tested in this application. For quantification, ion-93 acquired in SIM mode was used. Enrichment of the volatile fraction was carried out by headspace solid phase micro-extraction with a 2 cm stable flex 50/30 pm DVB/Carboxen/PDMS fibre at 60° C. for 20 minutes. Desorption was carried out directly in the heated injection port of a GCMS system at 270° C.

GCMS Parameters:

[0064] Column: 30 m HP 5 MS 0.25*0.25

[0065] Injector: Splitless with 0.75 mm SPME Liner, 270° C.

[0066] Temperature program: −10° C. (1 min)

[0067] Carrier gas: Helium 5.0, 31 cm/s linear velocity, constant flow

[0068] MS: Single quadrupole, direct interface, 280° C. inter face temperature

[0069] Acquisition: SIM scan mode

[0070] Scan parameter: 20-300 amu

[0071] SIM Parameter: m/Z 93, 100 ms dwell time

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Limonene content Limonene Sample HS-SPME-GC-MS.sup.1 polypropylene-rich recyclate 2.1 ppm lower quality polypolypropylene/ 2.6 ppm polyethlyene; ethylene copolymers recyclate .sup.1Headspace Solidphase Microextraction.

Total Free Fatty Acid Content

[0072] Fatty acid quantification was carried out using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) by standard addition.

[0073] 50 mg ground samples were weighed in 20 mL headspace vial and after the addition of limonene in different concentrations and a glass coated magnetic stir bar the vial was closed with a magnetic cap lined with silicone/PTFE. 10 μL Micro-capillaries were used to add diluted free fatty acid mix (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid and octanoic acid) standards of known concentrations to the sample at three different levels. Addition of 0, 50, 100 and 500 ng equals 0 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of each individual acid. For quantification ion 60 acquired in SIM mode was used for all acids except propanoic acid, here ion 74 was used.

GCMS Parameter:

[0074] Column: 20 m ZB Wax plus 0.25*0.25

[0075] Injector: Split 5:1 with glass lined split liner, 250° C.

[0076] Temperature program: 40° C. (1 min) @6° C./min to 120° C., @15° C. to 245° C. (5 min)

[0077] Carrier: Helium 5.0, 40 cm/s linear velocity, constant flow

[0078] MS: Single quadrupole, direct interface, 220° C. inter face temperature

[0079] Acquisition: SIM scan mode

[0080] Scan parameter: 46-250 amu 6.6 scans/s

[0081] SIM Parameter: m/z 60,74, 6.6 scans/s

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Total fatty acid content in Polypropylene rich recyclate Total fatty acid Sample concentration [mg/kg].sup.1 Polypropylene rich recyclate nm Lower quality polypropylene/ nm polyethylene/ethylene copolymers recyclate .sup.1The concentration of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pentanoic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid and decanoic acid in each sample was added together to give a totally fatty acid concentration value.

[0082] The upgrading polypropylene resins were prepared as follows.

TABLE-US-00004 Catalyst type PP virgin PP virgin (2) Example (1) Example 1b of WO 1a of WO 2015197434 2015197434 A1 A1* Donor type D D TEAL/Ti [mol/mol] 250 250 TEAL/Donor [mol/mol] 10 15 Prepolymerization Temperature [° C.] 30 30 Pressure [kPa] 5450 5450 Residence time [h] 0.30 0.30 Loop (Reactor 1) Temperature [° C.] 80 80 Pressure [kPa] 5330 5330 H2/C3 ratio [mol/kmol] 1.8 3.5 Residence time [h] 0.5 0.5 Loop reactor split [wt.-%] 60 60 MFR2 [g/10 min] 10 20 GPR (Reactor 2) Temperature [° C.] 80 80 Pressure [kPa] 2500 2500 H2/C3 ratio [mol/kmol] 55 24 Polymer residence time [h] 1.5 1.5 MFR in GPR [g/10 min] 53 20 GPR reactor split [wt.-%] 40 40 Polymer Tm [° C.] 165 165 MFR total [g/10 min] 20 20 XCS [wt.-%] 1.9 2.5 Nucleation [type] 0.43 wt % talc none

[0083] The virgin polyethylene (“PE virgin”) was also produced in a prepoly/loop/gpr reactor combination using a conventional 4.sup.th generation ZN catalyst. Loop density was 970 kg/m.sup.3 and loop split was 60 wt.-%-. Al/Ti ratio: 8.3; Essentially identical polyethylene resins are commercially available.

[0084] Three compositions were compounded according to the recipes given in Table 4. All compositions were stabilized with 0.3 wt.-% Irganox B255FF.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Recipes of inventive and comparative examples RE1 RE2 CE1 CE2 (PP virgin) (PE virgin) IE1 IE2 IE3 Recyclate Blend (A) wt.-% 100 98 25 75 25 polypropylene- rich recyclate Ratio iPP/PE + 13/1 about PE-CoPo 13/1 PP virgin (1) wt.-% 100 73 23 63 CMB black wt.-%  2 2 2 2 PE virgin wt.-% 10 Gloss (60°) nm 62 68 nm 67 64 70 Gloss (85°) 94 95 95 94 96 PP virgin (1) virgin propylene homopolymer having an MFR.sub.2 of about 20 g/10 min, a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of 1350 MPa, a heat deflection temperature B (0.45 MPa; ISO 75-2) of 80° C. and a tensile strength (50 mm/min; ISO 527-2) of 35 MPa CMB black carbon black masterbatch using PP virgin PE virgin virgin high density polyethylene having a density of 954 kg/m.sup.3 (ISO11833), a melt flow rate of 4 g/10 min (ISO 1133; 2.16 kg) and a Tensile modulus of 850 MPa (1 mm/min; ISO 527-2) AO Irganox B255 FF (amount of 0.3 wt.-%) for all examples) Ratio iPP/PE + PE-CoPo ratio of iPP versus polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers as described in the method section

[0085] It can be see that gloss of the polypropylene rich recyclate was improved by the addition of the virgin propylene homopolymer in an amount of 73 wt.-% very close to the value of the virgin material. However, at a low amount of 23 wt.-% of the virgin propylene homopolymer the gloss was somewhat lower. Gloss could be further improved by addition of virgin high density polyethylene in an amount of 10 wt.-%:

[0086] In the same way more polyethylene based recylates (Lower quality polypropylene/polyethylene/ethylene copolymers recyclate) were subjected to upgrading. All compositions were stabilized with 0.3 wt.-% Irganox B255FF.

TABLE-US-00006 Lower quality polypropylene/polyethylene/ethylene copolymers recyclate Ratio iPP//PE + PE-CoPo) about 1:1

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 Recipes of inventive and comparative examples RE1 (PP CE3 virgin + CB) IE4 Recyclate wt.-% 100  75 Blend (A) Lower quality polypropylene/polyethyle ne/ethylene copolymers recyclate Ratio iPP/PE + PE-CoPo about 1:1 PP virgin (2) 98 23 CMB black wt.-% 2 2 PE virgin Gloss (60°) 76 82 78 Gloss (85°) 96 97 97 PP virgin (2) virgin propylene homopolymer having an MFR.sub.2 of about 20 g/10 min, a flexural modulus (ISO 178) of 2000 MPa, a heat deflection temperature B (0.45 MPa; ISO 75-2) of 115° C. and a tensile strength (50 mm/min; ISO 527-2) of 40 MPa, nucleated by 0.43 wt.-% talc (cf. above) CMB black carbon black masterbatch using PP virgin (2) Ratio iPP/PE + PE-CoPo ratio of iPP versus polyethylene and ethylene containing copolymers as described in the method section

[0087] It can be seen that the gloss of the lower quality polypropylene/polyethylene/ethylene copolymers recyclate could be increased at surprisingly high amounts of the recyclate by adding virgin polypropylene homopolymer in quite a moderate amount.