RU2786589C2 - Synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability and its production methods - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: fiber production.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates, in general, to synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability (for example, composite polyester fiber with increased biodegradability) and to methods for formation of synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, to insulation material including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, and to products including synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability.

EFFECT: invention satisfies a need for improved fiber with favorable properties in terms of decomposition.

57 cl, 5 dwg

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[ 0001 ] This application asserts the priority of US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/612,789, filed January 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[ 0002 ] The present invention generally relates to a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability (e.g., a polyester fiber with increased biodegradability), and methods for forming a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, an insulating material comprising a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, and articles including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[ 0003 ] Plastics, such as plastic materials in the polyester family, are mass-produced industrial products and are widely used throughout the world. For example, thermoplastic or thermoset polymer resins, such as resins including polyethylene, are used to form fibers in a wide variety of applications, liquid and food containers, in thermoforming for manufacturing, and in combination with other materials for technical applications. The use of synthetic plastics is increasing significantly every year.

[ 0004 ] One reason for the widespread use of plastic products is their ability to withstand natural forces. For example, polyethylene polymers are made up of long chains of carbon atoms that are usually closely intertwined so that it becomes difficult for them to be broken down by microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi, or any other microscopic organisms) that are normally responsible for the degradation (i.e., biodegradation) of the material to water. , carbon dioxide, methane and biomass (which is the remains of microorganisms). While polyethylene polymers, such as materials from the polyester family, may eventually degrade (eg, biodegrade), they may only degrade over a very long period of time. Thus, the same characteristic that makes plastics so attractive leads to serious environmental problems.

[ 0005 ] In recent years, the pollution and destruction of the environment by discarded plastic products has increased at an alarming rate. In the clothing and/or textile industry, for example, it is a growing problem that such articles made from polyesters or other plastic fibers end up in landfills and/or seawater/streams. While some biodegradable plastics have been developed in an attempt to mitigate or reduce the recycling problems of plastic products, such materials are unsuitable for fibers that are used to make high quality clothing and/or textiles. For example, there is still a need for insulating material for garments and/or textiles made from more environmentally friendly materials.

[ 0006 ] While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to assist in the understanding of Applicant's inventions, Applicant does not deny these technical aspects in any way, and it is contemplated that his inventions may cover one or more conventional technical aspects.

[ 0007 ] In this description, where a document, act, or subject matter of common knowledge is mentioned or discussed, this mention or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or subject matter of common knowledge, or any combination thereof, was in the public domain at the priority date known to the public , forming part of the general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes a prototype under applicable statutory regulations, or is known as an attempt to solve any problem to which this description addresses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 0008 ] Briefly, the present invention satisfies the need for an improved fiber with favorable degradation properties. In various embodiments, the fibers according to the invention are themselves suitable for use in insulation which exhibits an improvement in biodegradability without undesirably reducing the strength and/or insulating performance of the insulation.

[ 0009 ] The present invention can solve one or more of the problems discussed above and eliminate the disadvantages of the technology. However, it is contemplated that the invention may be useful in solving other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical fields. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as being limited to solving any of the specific problems discussed herein or to remedying shortcomings.

[ 0010 ] In a first aspect, this invention provides a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability. The fiber may include a polymeric material (such as a polyester) and a biodegradable additive in an amount less than or equal to 10 wt.%, which increases the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may have a denier size/denier of 1 denier or less. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may have a denier value greater than 1 denier. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be siliconised.

[ 0011 ] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an insulation material comprising a biodegradable synthetic fiber according to the first aspect.

[ 0012 ] In a third aspect, the present invention provides an article comprising a synthetic fiber according to the first aspect or an insulating material according to the second aspect.

[ 0013 ] In a fourth aspect, this invention provides a method for producing a biodegradable synthetic fiber according to a first aspect, an insulating material according to a second aspect, and/or an article according to a third aspect. The method for producing a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, an insulating material and/or an article may include mixing biodegradable particles and a polymeric material to form a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability, and extruding a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability to form a fiber. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may have a denier value of 1 denier or less. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may have a denier value greater than 1 denier. In some embodiments, the method may include performing one or more additional processing steps, such as siliconizing a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability.

[ 0014 ] Certain embodiments of the now disclosed biodegradable synthetic fiber, insulating material and articles incorporating the biodegradable synthetic fiber, and methods for making the biodegradable synthetic fiber have a number of features that do not individually provide their desired characteristics. Without limiting the nature of the biodegradable synthetic fiber, insulation material, articles and methods as defined in the claims, their most important features will now be briefly described. Upon consideration of this discussion, and in particular upon reading the section of this specification entitled "Detailed Description of the Invention", one skilled in the art will appreciate how the features of the various embodiments disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over currently existing prior art. For example, in some embodiments, a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability provides improved biodegradability characteristics, thereby giving itself the properties of "environmentally friendly" fibers, monofilaments, filler, yarn, textile and nonwoven materials (for example, insulating materials), products (for example, clothing , footwear, bedding, fabrics, mechanical belt drives and industrial products), and/or textile materials. Highly biodegradable synthetic fiber embodiments may include synthetic (e.g., polyester) micro-denier or macro-denier fibers with improved biodegradability that can, among other things , retain a silky feel and improved water repellency during normal use (e.g., up to disposal in a microbially biodegradable environment such as a landfill or sea water).

[ 0015 ] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of various aspects of the invention, taken in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 0016 ] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale for ease of understanding, in which like reference numerals retain their designation and meaning for the same or similar elements among all the various drawings, and in which:

[ 0017 ] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a container with a mixture of biodegradable particles/additives and a polymeric material, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;

[ 0018 ] FIG. 2 is a side view of a biodegradable synthetic fiber according to certain embodiments of the present invention;

[ 0019 ] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a section of a pellet in an embodiment containing a mixture of polymeric material and biodegradable particles;

[ 0020 ] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the biodegradable synthetic fiber of FIG. 2; and

[ 0021 ] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a biodegradable siliconized synthetic fiber according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[ 0022 ] Aspects of the present invention and certain features, advantages and details thereof are more fully explained below with reference to the non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Descriptions of well-known materials, processing equipment, processing methods, etc., are omitted to the extent that the detailed description of the invention is not unnecessarily cluttered. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific example(s) showing embodiments of the invention are provided by way of illustration only, and in no way as a limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions and/or systematizations within the spirit and/or scope of the fundamental concepts of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this description.

[ 0023 ] Biodegradation is the degradation, breakdown, disintegration, decomposition or transformation of a material into harmless products, such as water, carbon dioxide, methane, and biomass, by the action of living organisms, such as microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or any other microscopic organisms), and the enzymes they secrete/produce. Biodegradation can occur under aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) or anaerobic (in the absence of oxygen) conditions. The degradation of biodegradable materials may include both biological and abiotic action steps.

[ 0024 ] In a first aspect, the invention provides a biodegradable synthetic fiber comprising:

- polymeric material; and

- biodegradable additive in an amount less than or equal to 10 wt.%, to increase the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material.

[ 0025 ] Denier is a unit of measurement defined as the weight in grams of 9000 meters of fiber or yarn. This is the usual way of specifying the weight (or size) of the fiber or yarn. For example, standard polyester fibers that are 1.0 denier typically have a diameter of approximately 10 micrometers. Micro-denier fibers are those that are 1.0 denier or less, while macro-denier fibers are greater than 1.0 denier.

[ 0026 ] The denier of the biodegradable synthetic fibers of the present invention may be micro-denier fibers. For example, in some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be micro-denier fibers equal to or less than 1 denier. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers may be micro-denier fibers less than 1.0 denier, within the range of 0.5 to 1.0 denier, or within the range of 0.7 to 0.9. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be micro-denier fibers ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 denier (e.g., 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0 .6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1.0), including any and all ranges and subranges therein. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be 0.5 to 7 denier, such as fibers used as staple fibers used as bulk insulation.

[ 0027 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a denier (d) fiber where 0.4≤d≤200 (e.g., d is 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4, 5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7, 0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9, 5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, or 200 denier), including any and all ranges and subranges therein.

[ 0028 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers are macrodenier fibers with a size greater than 1.0 denier and less than or equal to 15.0; (for example, in some embodiments, the synthetic fiber has a size of 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0 , 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3 .3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 , 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5 .8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7.0 , 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8 .3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 , 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11 .8, 11.9, 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0 , 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14 .3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, or 15.0 denier), including any and all ranges and subranges therein (e.g., 1.1 to 15.0, 1.1 to 12.0, 1.1 to 10.0, 1.1 to 8.0, 1.1 to 6.0, 1.1 to 5.0, from 1.1 to 4.0, 1.1 to 3.0, 1.1 to 2.0, etc.).

[ 0029 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a monofilament macrodenier fiber. In some embodiments, the denier of the biodegradable synthetic monofilament fiber may be in the range of 3 to 1000 (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20 , 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145 , 150, 155, 160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300, 325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550 , 575, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, or 1000), including any and all ranges and subranges therein (e.g., 3 to 1000, 3 to 600, 3 to 300, 3 to 200, 3 to 150, 3 to 75, 3 to 40, 3 to 30 or 3 to 20, etc.).

[ 0030 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be a monofilament fiber with a thickness (diameter) in the range of 0.5 mm to 6 mm (e.g., 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0, 65, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3, 1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5, 6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, or 6.0 mm), including any and all ranges and subranges therein (e.g., 0.5 to 5 mm, 0.5 to 4 mm, 0.5 to 3 mm, 0.5 to 2 mm, 0.5 to 1.5 mm, 0.5 to 1.4 mm, 0.5 to 1.3 mm, 0.5 to 1.2 mm, 0.5 to 1.1 mm, 0.5 to 1.0 mm, 0.5 to 0.9 mm, 0.5 to 0.8 mm, 0.5 to 0.7 mm, etc.).

[ 0031 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable fibers are synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability. Those of ordinary skill in the art are quite familiar with many synthetic fibers and it is entirely within their skill to select the appropriate synthetic fiber depending on the desired properties of the textile, filler, batting and/or product in which they are intended to be used. Embodiments of the biodegradable fibers according to the invention may include any synthetic fiber known in the art to be suitable for making textiles. In some embodiments, non-exclusive biodegradable synthetic fibers that may be used in the invention are selected from nylon, polyester, polypropylene, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutyl acrylate (PBA), polyamide (e.g., nylon/polyamide 6.6, polyamide 6, polyamide 4, polyamide 11, and polyamide 6.10, etc.), acrylic material, acetate, polyolefin, rayon (rayon), lyocell, aramid, spandex, viscose, and modal fibers, and combinations thereof. In specific embodiments, synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability include polyester fibers with increased biodegradability. For example, in some embodiments, the polyester is selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(hexahydro-para-xylylene) terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, poly-1,4-cyclohexylendimethylene (PCDT), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and terephthalate copolymers in which at least 85 mole percent of the ester units are ethylene terephthalate or hexahydro-p-xylylene terephthalate units. In one particular embodiment, the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers include a fresh polymeric material, such as a fresh polyester (eg, PET). In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers include a recycled polymeric material (eg, polyester, such as PET), such as post-consumer recycled (PCR) polymeric material (eg, polyester, such as PET).

[ 0032 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable fibers are dry fibers (ie, unironed, eg, non-siliconized fibers). In some other embodiments, the biodegradable fibers are ironed, such as siliconized fibers.

[ 0033 ] The biodegradable synthetic fiber of the present invention may include at least 90% by weight of a polymeric material. For example, in some embodiments, a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability may include from 90 to 99.9 wt.% polymeric material (for example, 90.0, 90.1, 90.2, 90.3, 90.4, 90.5 , 90.6, 90.7, 90.8, 90.9, 91.0, 91.1, 91.2, 91.3, 91.4, 91.5, 91.6, 91.7, 91 .8, 91.9, 92.0, 92.1, 92.2, 92.3, 92.4, 92.5, 92.6, 92.7, 92.8, 92.9, 93.0 , 93.1, 93.2, 93.3, 93.4, 93.5, 93.6, 93.7, 93.8, 93.9, 94.0, 94.1, 94.2, 94 .3, 94.4, 94.5, 94.6, 94.7, 94.8, 94.9, 95.0, 95.1, 95.2, 95.3, 95.4, 95.5 , 95.6, 95.7, 95.8, 95.9, 96.0, 96.1, 96.2, 96.3, 96.4, 96.5, 96.6, 96.7, 96 .8, 96.9, 97.0, 97.1, 97.2, 97.3, 97.4, 97.5, 97.6, 97.7, 97.8, 97.9, 98.0 , 98.1, 98.2, 98.3, 98.4, 98.5, 98.6, 98.7, 98.8, 98.9, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99 .3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, or 99.9% by weight of polymeric material), including any and all ranges and subranges therein.

[ 0034 ] Biodegradable synthetic fibers may include from 0.1 to 15 wt.% biodegradable particles or additives (for example, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1, 9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4, 4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6, 9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9, 4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11, 9, 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14, 4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, or 15.0 weight percent biodegradable particles), including any and all ranges and subranges therein (e.g., 0.1 to 10 wt.%, 0.5 to 4.5 wt.%, 0.1 to 3 wt.%, 0.5 to 14.5 wt.%, etc.).

[ 0035 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber includes 0.1 to 15 volume percent biodegradable particles or additives (e.g., 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0 .6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 , 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3 .1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 , 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5 .6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8 , 6.9, 7.0, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8 .1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 , 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10.0, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10 .6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 11.0, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8 , 11.9, 12.0, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13.0, 13 .1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14.0, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 , 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9, or 15.0 vol.%), including any and all di ranges and subranges therein (for example, from 0.1 to 10 wt.%, from 0.5 to 4.5 wt.%, from 0.1 to 3 wt.%, from 0.5 to 14.5 wt. %, etc.).

[ 0036 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber of the present invention includes biodegradable particles or additives in an amount equal to or less than 10% by weight. For example, in some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may include biodegradable particles or additives in an amount equal to or less than 10.0, 9.9, 9.8, 9.7, 9.6, 9.5, 9 .4, 9.3, 9.2, 9.1, 9.0, 8.9, 8.7, 8.6, 8.5, 8.4, 8.3, 8.2, 8.1 , 8.0, 7.9, 7.8, 7.7, 7.6, 7.5, 7.4, 7.3, 7.2, 7.1, 7.0, 6.9, 6 .7, 6.6, 6.5, 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.9, 5.8, 5.7, 5.6, 5.5 , 5.4, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1, 5.0, 4.9, 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, 4.4, 4.3, 4 .2, 4.1, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, 3.7, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4, 3.3, 3.2, 3.1, 3.0 , 2.9, 2.8, 2.7, 2.6, 2.5, 2.4, 2.3, 2.2, 2.1, 2.0, 1.9, 1.8, 1 .7, 1.6, 1.5, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, 1.1, 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, 0.5 , 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1% by weight, including any and all ranges and subranges therein.

[ 0037 ] Embodiments of the biodegradable synthetic fiber of the invention are polymeric fibers within which biodegradable particles or additive(s) are immersed in a polymeric material. The biodegradable particles or additives may be biodegradable in themselves, and may also stimulate and/or accelerate the biodegradation of the polymeric material compared to the situation if the biodegradable particles were not present, as described above. In some embodiments, the biodegradable particles are homogeneously admixed within the polymeric material, which implies that the mixture of the polymeric material and the biodegradable particles contained within the synthetic fiber has a substantially uniform composition (i.e., 90-100% uniform composition, e.g., at least by 90.0, 90.1, 90.2, 90.3, 90.4, 90.5, 90.6, 90.7, 90.8, 90.9, 91.0, 91.1, 91 .2, 91.3, 91.4, 91.5, 91.6, 91.7, 91.8, 91.9, 92.0, 92.1, 92.2, 92.3, 92.4 , 92.5, 92.6, 92.7, 92.8, 92.9, 93.0, 93.1, 93.2, 93.3, 93.4, 93.5, 93.6, 93 .7, 93.8, 93.9, 94.0, 94.1, 94.2, 94.3, 94.4, 94.5, 94.6, 94.7, 94.8, 94.9 , 95.0, 95.1, 95.2, 95.3, 95.4, 95.5, 95.6, 95.7, 95.8, 95.9, 96.0, 96.1, 96 .2, 96.3, 96.4, 96.5, 96.6, 96.7, 96.8, 96.9, 97.0, 97.1, 97.2, 97.3, 97.4 , 97.5, 97.6, 97.7, 97.8, 97.9, 98.0, 98.1, 98.2, 98.3, 98.4, 98.5, 98.6, 98 .7, 98.8, 98.9, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, or 99, 9% homogeneous composition).

[ 0038 ] If the biodegradable particles include particles of different materials, then the different biodegradable particles may themselves have a substantially uniform composition (i.e., 90-100% uniform composition, e.g., at least 90.0, 90.1, 90.2, 90.3, 90.4, 90.5, 90.6, 90.7, 90.8, 90.9, 91.0, 91.1, 91.2, 91.3, 91, 4, 91.5, 91.6, 91.7, 91.8, 91.9, 92.0, 92.1, 92.2, 92.3, 92.4, 92.5, 92.6, 92.7, 92.8, 92.9, 93.0, 93.1, 93.2, 93.3, 93.4, 93.5, 93.6, 93.7, 93.8, 93, 9, 94.0, 94.1, 94.2, 94.3, 94.4, 94.5, 94.6, 94.7, 94.8, 94.9, 95.0, 95.1, 95.2, 95.3, 95.4, 95.5, 95.6, 95.7, 95.8, 95.9, 96.0, 96.1, 96.2, 96.3, 96, 4, 96.5, 96.6, 96.7, 96.8, 96.9, 97.0, 97.1, 97.2, 97.3, 97.4, 97.5, 97.6, 97.7, 97.8, 97.9, 98.0, 98.1, 98.2, 98.3, 98.4, 98.5, 98.6, 98.7, 98.8, 98, 9, 99.0, 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4, 99.5, 99.6, 99.7, 99.8, or 99.9% homogeneous composition).

[ 0039 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable particles within the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be, for example, wholly or at least partially coated with a polymeric material. In some embodiments, at least 25% of the biodegradable particles present (for example, more than 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, or 95%) may be at least partially uncoated with the polymeric material and/or at least partially exposed on the outer surface of the polymeric material. In some embodiments, at least 50% of the biodegradable particles present within the biodegradable synthetic fiber may be at least partially uncoated or exposed on the outer surface of the polymeric material.

[ 0040 ] The biodegradable particles or additive may include at least one organic compound. The biodegradable particles or additive may include at least one of an aliphatic-aromatic ester, a polylactide, an organoleptic compound, a monosaccharide, an aldohexose, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the biodegradable additive may include at least one aliphatic-aromatic ester, at least one polylactide (PLA), at least one organoleptic compound, at least one monosaccharide, and at least one aldohexose. In some embodiments, the aliphatic-aromatic ester and/or polylactide may act to bind at least one other component of the biodegradable additive to the polymeric material (eg, polyester). For example, the aliphatic-aromatic ester and/or polylactide may be a polymeric carrier for the other component(s) of the biodegradable additive. In some embodiments, the aliphatic-aromatic ester and/or polylactide may act as a hydrolyzable component to promote hydrolysis of the polymeric material and the fiber as a whole. The aliphatic-aromatic ester, polylactide and/or polymeric material chains can be cleaved by hydrolysis with water, for example by breaking the ester bond. The aliphatic-aromatic ester and/or polylactide (eg, within the fiber polymer material) can facilitate acid hydrolysis, water hydrolysis, and/or alkaline hydrolysis of the polymer material due to chemical and/or enzymatic treatment. The aliphatic-aromatic ester and/or polylactide (eg, within the polymeric material of the fiber) may also be biologically susceptible during the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of ester, amide, or urethane bonds.

[ 0041 ] In some embodiments, the aliphatic-aromatic ester comprises a copolymer composition of a copolymer of 1,4-butylene terephthalate and 1,4-butylene adipate and a copolymer of tetramethylene terephthalate and tetramethylene adipate (BTA). The aliphatic-aromatic ester component of the biodegradable additive may be formed from at least one aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or ester thereof, at least one diol (such as, but not limited to, 1,4-butanediol), and at least one polyfunctional aromatic an acid (such as, and without limitation, furandicarboxylic acid) or an ester thereof. The aliphatic-aromatic ester component may have an aromatic acid content in excess of 60 mole percent. In some embodiments, the aliphatic-aromatic ester component of the biodegradable additive may include an acidic component (for example, including an aromatic carboxylic acid and an aliphatic acid (for example, azelaic acid) and a diol component (for example, selected from the group consisting of C3-, C4-, and In some embodiments, the aliphatic-aromatic ester component of the biodegradable additive may include a polymerization reaction product of a dihydric alcohol and an aromatic dicarboxylic compound (e.g., an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, a (C1-3)-alkyl ester of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, or combinations thereof). ), and adipic acid.

[ 0042 ] The polylactide (PLA) component of the biodegradable additive may be one or more bioactive thermoplastic aliphatic polyesters (eg, derived from renewable sources). In some embodiments, the polylactide component may include poly-L-lactide (PLLA), poly-D-lactide (PDLA), a copolymer of L-lactide and D,L-lactide (PLDLLA). As is known in the art, PLA can degrade mainly through abiotic hydrolysis. For example, degradation of PLA may occur in steps, with the first step being diffusion of water into the material, hydrolysis of ester bonds, and reduction in molecular weight, followed by intracellular uptake of lactic acid oligomers and catabolism. However, many other microorganisms can also degrade PLA, such as protease-secreting microorganisms, actinomycetes, fungi, and/or compost microorganisms.

[ 0043 ] An organoleptic component of a biodegradable additive may be designed to attract environmentally present biodegradable microorganisms that degrade (or cause degradation), or attract other microorganisms that degrade (or cause degradation) of the polymeric material (and potentially components of the biodegradable material itself). additives). For example, the organoleptic component of a biodegradable supplement may be designed to attract one or more microorganisms, examples of which are discussed below. The organoleptic component of the biodegradable additive is designed to stimulate one or more of the sense organs of microorganisms (such as taste, color, smell or touch) to attract microorganisms to the biodegradable synthetic fiber and accelerate biodegradation.

[ 0044 ] In some embodiments, the organoleptic component of the biodegradable additive may include cultured colloids and natural or artificial fibers. The organoleptic component may include organoleptic organic chemicals as swelling agents, i.e. natural fibers, cultured colloids, cyclodextrin, polylactic acid, etc. In some embodiments, the organoleptic component of the biodegradable additive may include a mixture of 3,5-dimethylpentenyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanose isomers. The content of the organoleptic component may be in the range equal to or greater than 0-20% by weight of the biodegradable additive. In some embodiments, the organoleptic agent component may comprise 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80%, or 80-100% by weight of the entire biodegradable additive.

[ 0045 ] The monosaccharide (and/or polysaccharide) and/or aldohexose component of the biodegradable additive may act as a food or consumable material for microorganisms to attract microorganisms and/or support microbial activity that ultimately causes degradation of the polymeric fiber material (and thereby fiber itself). In some embodiments, the monosaccharide may be glucose. In some embodiments, the monosaccharide may be D-glucose, D-galactose, and D-mannose. In some embodiments, the monosaccharide is D-glucose. In some embodiments, the monosaccharide and/or aldohexose component may be linked to polymeric fiber material monomers. In some embodiments, during fiber formation, at least some of the monosaccharide and/or aldohexose components may be introduced into the polymer as substituents.

[ 0046 ] The biodegradable particles or additive can facilitate or effect rapid biodegradation of the fiber (ie, its polymeric material) even in an anaerobic environment. More specifically, the biodegradable additive can assist the activity of microorganisms in breaking down the polyester into CO ₂ , H ₂ O, CH ₄ , and biomass (which are waste microorganisms) at a significantly higher rate compared to a situation without additives. For example, a biodegradable additive may stimulate the initial cleavage of C-C bonds by microorganisms (or microbes) within a polymeric material at the macromolecular level, resulting in the destruction of the bonds. Thus, the micro-organisms may initially create indentations, depressions, cavities, or other open areas that extend into the polymeric material of the fiber. Thereby, the additives and original microorganisms create an increased or increasing exposed surface area of the polymer, allowing plastic-eating microbes to infiltrate holes in the polymer (rather than remain only on the outer surface of the polymer). This increases or stimulates the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material.

[ 0047 ] However, the biodegradable additive can increase the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material, relative to its biodegradation rate without the additive, in various ways. For example, the additive may stimulate the hydrolysis/condensation step of fiber biodegradation, the acidogenesis step of fiber biodegradation, the acetogenesis step of fiber biodegradation, the methane biosynthesis step of fiber biodegradation, or a combination thereof. As noted above, the biodegradable additive can increase the hydrolysis capacity of the fiber (or polymeric material). Hydrolysis can break the chains of the polymeric material and thereby cause condensation (i.e., accumulation of water). The fiber/polymer material hydrolysis/condensation step carried out or more rapidly carried out by the biodegradable additive may result in the degradation of the fiber polymer material into a variety of sugars.

[ 0048 ] In the acidogenesis step of biodegradation of the fiber, the acidogenic microorganisms can degrade the organic material or biomass formed in the hydrolysis/condensation step, other biomass of the polymeric material, and/or the additive. Acidogenic microorganisms (such as fermentative bacteria) can create an acidic environment while releasing various acids, alcohols and volatile fatty acids such as ammonia, H ₂ , CO ₂ , H ₂ S, short chain volatile fatty acids, carbonic acids, trace amounts of other by-products, or a combination thereof. Acidogenic microorganisms can thus create a partially destroyed biomass of the polymeric material or from it.

[ 0049 ] During the acetogenesis step of fiber biodegradation, microorganisms can further degrade the biomass of or from the polymeric material to form acetic acid, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, or a combination thereof. For example, acetogenic microorganisms such as acetogens can convert biomass to acetate from carbon and other energy sources. The acetogenic microorganisms, or acetogens, can break down the biomass to the point where the methanogenic microorganisms can use most of the remaining polymeric material. For example, during the methanogenesis step of fiber biodegradation, methanogenic microorganisms, or methanogens, can degrade the biomass of or from the polymeric material (and potentially some of the intermediates of the hydrolysis and acidogenesis steps) to methane, water, and carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the methanogenic microorganisms can use acetic acid and carbon dioxide (the two main products of the hydrolysis/condensation step, the acidogenesis step and the acetogenesis step) to produce methane during methanogenesis. For example, methanogens can consume CO ₂ and H ₂ to form CH ₄ and H ₂ O. As another example, methanogens can use CH ₃ COOH to form CH ₄ and CO ₂ . While CO2 can be converted to methane and water by reaction, the primary mechanism for creating methane in methanogenesis may be the pathway involving acetic acid. In some embodiments, the acetic acid pathway may lead to methane and CO ₂ . In addition, as the fiber/polymer material is used up, the microorganism itself may die off and thereby create additional biomass.

[ 0050 ] In some embodiments, synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability according to the present invention decompose much faster compared to fibers having similar compositions, but not containing biodegradable particles. For example, the highly biodegradable synthetic fibers of the present invention can be completely biodegradable (e.g., converted to water, carbon dioxide, methane, and biomass, or a combination thereof) within 10 years when exposed to a biodegradable environment (aerobic or anaerobic), such as a landfill, compost heap/plant, sea water/water stream, or other bioactive medium/material that includes microorganisms that will degrade the fiber polymer.

[ 0051 ] In some embodiments, the highly biodegradable synthetic fibers of the present invention can be completely biodegraded within about 9.5, 9, 8.5, 8, 7.5, 7, 6.5, or 6 years when exposed to a suitable for a biodegradable environment (ie, including microorganisms that consume or otherwise degrade synthetic fiber materials to form water, carbon dioxide, methane, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, at least 25% by weight of the biodegradable synthetic fibers of the present invention may be biodegradable within about 3, 2.5, 2, or 1.5 years when exposed to a biodegradable environment.

[ 0052 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber of the present invention (or article containing fibers) meets or exceeds biodegradability standards as defined by ASTM D6400-12, Standard Specification for Labeling of Plastics Designed to be Aerobically Composted in Municipal or Industrial Facilities (“Description of a Standard for Labeling Plastics Designed for Aerobic Composting in Municipal or Industrial Facilities”), ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[ 0053 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber of the present invention may be siliconised. The term "siliconized" is used herein to refer to a fiber that is coated with a silicon-containing composition (eg, silicone). Siliconization methods are well known in the art and are described, for example, in US Patent No. 3,454,422. The silicon-containing composition can be applied using any method known in the art, such as spraying, mixing, dipping, impregnating, etc., fibers. The silicon-containing (eg, silicone) composition, which may include an organosiloxane or polysiloxane, is bonded to the outside of the fiber. The silicon-containing (eg silicone) composition can thus be completely distributed throughout the polymeric material and the biodegradable additives contained at least partially within the polymeric material. The silicon-containing (eg silicone) composition may be devoid of biodegradable additives.

[ 0054 ] In some embodiments, the silicone coating is a polysiloxane, such as methylhydropolysiloxane, modified methylhydropolysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, or amino-modified polydimethylsiloxane. As is known in the art, the silicon-containing composition may be applied directly to the fiber, or may be diluted with a solvent prior to application to form a solution or emulsion, such as an aqueous polysiloxane emulsion. In post-processing, the coating may be dried and/or cured. As is known in the art, a catalyst can be used to accelerate the curing of a silicon-containing composition (e.g., a polysiloxane containing Si-H bonds), and conveniently added to an emulsion of the silicon-containing composition, the resulting combination being used to treat a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability. Suitable catalysts include salts of carboxylic acids with iron, cobalt, manganese, lead, zinc and tin, such as acetates, octanoates, naphthenates and oleates. In some embodiments, after siliconization, the fiber may be dried to remove residual solvent, and then optionally heated to cure to a temperature between 65° and 200°C.

[ 0055 ] The biodegradable synthetic fiber may be pleated or non-pleated. A variety of corrugations are known in the art, including helical (i.e., helical) and standard corrugations. Synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability can have any desired crimp.

[ 0056 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a staple fiber (ie, a fiber having a standardized length). For example, in some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a staple fiber having a length of 5 to 120 mm (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, or 120 mm), including any and all ranges and sub-ranges therein (for example, 8 to 85 mm). In some embodiments, such multiple staple fibers may be combined or bonded to each other. As another example, in some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a staple fiber having a length of 8 to 51 mm (and potentially a size of 0.5 to 7 denier) for bulk insulation.

[ 0057 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is a filament. The thread is a single long thread-like continuous textile fiber/strand. Unlike staple fibers, which are of finite length, the filaments are of indefinite length, and may be extended up to yards or miles (or, for example, where used in yarn, may be extended over the entire length of the yarn). In some embodiments, the length of the thread varies from 5 inches (12.7 cm) to several miles, including any and all ranges and subranges therein. For example, in some embodiments, the thread may have a length of at least 5 inches (12.7 cm) (for example, at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 , 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 , 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, or 100 inches (12.7-254 cm) long, or any range and subrange therein). In some embodiments, the threads may be at least 1 foot (30.5 cm) long (for example, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230 240 250 260 270 280 290 300 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 410 420 430 440 450 460 470 480 490 500 510 520 530 540 550 560 570 580 590 600 610 620 630 640 650 660 670 680 690 700 710 720 730 740 750 760 770 780 790 800 810 820 830 840 850 860 870 880 890 900 910 920 930 940 950 960 970 980, 990, or 1000 feet (0.3-304.8 m) long, or any th range and subrange in it).

[ 0058 ] The filaments can be created by a process known as extrusion (which can also be called melt spinning). For example, in some embodiments, after blending the biodegradable particles and the polymeric material, the resulting enhanced biodegradable polymer blend can be extruded to form a biodegradable polymer pellet. Then, depending on the desired content of biodegradable particles, multiple granules, including at least a polymer granule with increased biodegradability, can be extruded into fibers. For example, the granules can be extruded by conventional methods, such as bringing them to or beyond their melting point, thereby forming a highly biodegradable liquid polymer mixture, then forcing the liquid, biodegradable polymer mixture through an extrusion die called a die. The spinneret often has many small holes through which liquid flows. The liquid polymer streams cool as they exit the spinneret, resulting in long strands of continuous synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability. The extruded filaments may optionally be joined together (for example, by abutment) on a spinneret to increase the number of filaments in the bundle. The thread bundle may be drawn (stretched) to make each thread thinner, and may optionally be textured as described below.

[ 0059 ] Alternatively, the extruded filaments may not be combined with one or more other filaments, and thus intended/used as a monofilament (ie, a single continuous filament (or strand) with increased biodegradability). Monofilament fibers can be used as single spun yarns or as strands of multiple fibers.

[ 0060 ] Texturing methods can be performed on bundles of filaments (used in yarn, for example) to break the parallelism of the filaments and are applied to monofilaments to texturize the monofilaments. Such methods can serve, for example, to increase volume without increasing weight, which can make the resulting yarn appear lighter in weight, have an improved feel (softness), appear more opaque, and/or have improved thermal insulation characteristics. While any technologically acceptable texturing methods may be used, examples of texturing methods performed for use in the invention include pleating, looping, helical twisting, crimping, twisting then unwinding, and knitting then unraveling.

[ 0061 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber may not contain a lubricant additive, as disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,324,060.

[ 0062 ] In some embodiments, biodegradable synthetic fibers can be configured as high melting point or non-bonded (or non-bonded) fibers, such as fibers with bond temperatures in excess of 200°C. Generally speaking, high-melting or unbonded fibers have a bonding temperature that is higher than the softening point of other synthetic fibers present in the fiber blend. In some embodiments, biodegradable synthetic fibers may be configured as bonded fibers, such as fibers with a binding temperature of less than or equal to 200°C. Generally speaking, the bonded fibers have a lower bonding temperature than the softening point of other synthetic fibers present in the fiber blend. In some such embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers to be bonded have a bond temperature of less than or equal to 200°C. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers to be bonded have a bond temperature of 50 to 200°C (e.g., 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, or 200°C), including any and all ranges and subranges therein. In some embodiments, the bound synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability have a binding temperature of 80°C to 150°C. In some embodiments, the bindable biodegradable synthetic fibers have a binding temperature of 100°C to 125°C. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers to be bonded include low melting polyester fibers. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers to be bonded are bicomponent fibers that include an outer and inner portion (commonly known in the art as sheath and core), with the outer portion comprising a material having a lower melting point than the inner portion. In other embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fibers to be bonded are single component fibers.

[ 0063 ] In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber further includes one or more additional additives. For example, in some embodiments, the synthetic fiber further comprises an airgel. For example, in some embodiments, the synthetic fiber further comprises airgel particles, such as in the synthetic fiber described in International Application Publication No. WO 2017/087511. For example, in some embodiments, the fiber according to the invention contains from 0.1 to 15 wt.% particles of airgel, including any and all ranges and subranges therein (for example, from 1 to 10 wt.%, from 0.5 to 4.5 wt.%, from 1 to 4.5 wt.%, from 2 to 4.5 wt.%, etc.), and these airgel particles have an average diameter of from 0.3 to 20 μm, including any and all ranges and subranges therein (eg, 0.8 to 2 µm).

[ 0064 ] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that there are a variety of applications within which the biodegradable synthetic fiber of the invention can be advantageously utilized. Indeed, embodiments of the biodegradable synthetic fiber and insulating material of the present invention find use in many different industries. Non-limiting examples include textile applications such as paper machine screens, porous and/or non-porous textile mechanical transmission belts, liquid media filters/filtration, dry media filters/filtration, etc. (where the fiber could be used, for example, as a monofilament); in refrigerated trucks; on pipelines (eg petrochemical pipelines); in aerospace engineering (eg insulating panels in aerospace engineering); on cryogenic storage tanks; in fuel cells; in the protection of automotive batteries (for example, batteries of electric vehicles); in textile belts of mechanical transmissions (in a humid environment); as any other fabric, in applications as a fabric or insulating material, etc. In some embodiments, being made in the form of a monofilament (or a bundle of threads), a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability and an insulating material according to the invention can be used in electrical cables and cable systems, as a filament for 3D printing, fishing line, in glasses holders , industrial fastening systems, in threads, woven or knitted thin textile materials, as an interlayer material (for example, in double-walled tanks, or the like), in the reinforcing braid of cables and / or pipes, in knitting needles and cords, wet / liquid filters (e.g. water filters), dry gas filters (air filters), rope and cord braiding, drift eliminators/layered scrubbers, woven flexible hose, netting, dental applicator, textiles automotive or industrial use, corsages, brushes/brooms, seals for weather protection sediments, medical equipment, UV-resistant fabrics, textile materials for reinforcing infusion ducts, hook-and-loop fastening systems, nets, knitting whisker discs, etc.

[ 0065 ] In a second aspect, the invention provides an insulating material comprising a synthetic fiber with enhanced biodegradability.

[ 0066 ] In some such embodiments, the insulation material may include non-bonding synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability. In some embodiments, the insulation material may include bindable synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability (and potentially bondable synthetic fibers without increased biodegradability). In some such embodiments, the insulation material may be heat treated to melt all or part of the bonded fibers, thereby forming a thermally bonded insulation. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in such embodiments, although bondable fibers are included in the fiber blend, said fibers may be fully or partially melted fibers, as opposed to bondable fibers in their original form prior to heat treatment.

[ 0067 ] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the enhanced biodegradability fiber of the present invention can generally be used in place of, or in addition to, synthetic or natural fiber used in or as an insulating material.

[ 0068 ] In some embodiments, the insulation material is a fabric, a batt, a liner, an air-laid insulation material, a nonwoven tape, a vertically bonded batting, or a horizontally bonded batting. In some embodiments, the insulating material is a textile insulating material (ie, an insulating material used in the textile industry).

[ 0069 ] In some embodiments, the insulating material is an infill insulating or air-laid filler material comprising multiple, individual, longitudinally extended tufts, each of which is formed from multiple biodegradable synthetic fibers according to the first aspect of the invention, the tufts including a relatively open, enlarged a middle section and relatively compacted twisted end sections extending from opposite ends of the middle section. For example, in some embodiments, the insulation material is a loose-fill flake insulation as described in International Application Publication No. WO 2017/058986, which includes a biodegradable synthetic fiber.

[ 0070 ] In some embodiments, the invention provides a batting comprising a synthetic fiber with enhanced biodegradability. In some embodiments, the batting has a thickness from 1 mm to 160 mm (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, or 160 mm), including any and all ranges and subranges therein. In some embodiments, the thickness is less than or equal to 40 mm, for example, from 2 to 40 mm. In some embodiments, the batting has a density of 1 to 10 kg/m them. In some embodiments, the specific gravity of the batting ranges from 25 g/m ² (GSM) to 200 GSM.

[ 0071 ] In some embodiments, the invention provides a yarn comprising biodegradable synthetic fibers combined by weaving, knitting, twisting, braiding, or otherwise. Such yarns can be used to form fibers into a highly biodegradable textile or other highly biodegradable article.

[ 0072 ] Clo (clo) (clo/oz/yd ² ) is a unit used to measure the insulating properties of clothing. The 1.0 clo value is defined as the degree of insulation that allows the user to maintain thermal equilibrium in the environment at 21°C (70°F) in a normally ventilated room (with an air movement of 0.1 m/s). As a rule, above this temperature, a person dressed in this way will sweat, while below this temperature, a person will be cold. Clothing and/or its components may be assigned the value clo. A higher clo value indicates that the article is warmer than another article with a comparatively lower clo.

[ 0073 ] In some embodiments, insulation (eg, batting, loose infill, etc.) including biodegradable synthetic fiber has thermal insulation performance of at least 0.80 clo/oz/yd ² . In some embodiments, the insulation has thermal insulation performance rated at least 1.0 clo/oz/yd ² .

[ 0074 ] In a third aspect, the invention provides an article comprising a biodegradable synthetic fiber according to the first aspect of the invention, or an insulating material according to the second aspect of the invention.

[ 0075 ] In some non-limiting embodiments, the article is a product for wearing on the legs (for example, shoes, socks, slippers, boots), outerwear (for example, outerwear items such as a jacket, jacket, shoe, boot, trousers (for example such as winter pants, ski pants, etc.), gloves, mittens, scarf, hat, etc.), clothing/outfit (e.g. shirts, trousers, underwear (e.g. underwear, padded underwear, socks, hosiery, etc.), nightwear (e.g. pajamas, nightdress, bathrobe, etc.)), sportswear (e.g. clothes, including shoes, worn for sport or exercise), sleeping bag, bedding (e.g. quilt), pillow, cushion, pet bed, household items, etc. In some embodiments, the biodegradable synthetic fiber is contained within at least a portion of one of the articles listed above.

[ 0076 ] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a non-limiting method for producing a biodegradable synthetic fiber or an article comprising a biodegradable synthetic fiber (eg, clothing, insulation material, etc.). The method may include:

- mixing biodegradable particles and polymer material, thereby forming a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability;

- extrusion of a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability, and

- optionally, performing one or more additional processing steps,

thereby forming a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability or an article.

[ 0077 ] In some embodiments, one of the additional processing steps may include siliconizing the biodegradable fiber. In some embodiments, the method may include, for example, obtaining the original, pure, or "fresh" polymer. In some alternative embodiments, the process may use recycled polymer or waste polymer (eg, polymer residue not used in other processes, or polymer from other products). In some such embodiments, the method may optionally include purifying the recycled polymer or waste polymer to remove contaminants from the recycled polymer or waste polymer. Once the contaminants are removed, the recycled polymer or waste polymer can be combined with the biodegradable particles.

[ 0078 ] The biodegradable polymer blend can be directly extruded into fibers. In other embodiments, the biodegradable polymer blend can be extruded or otherwise converted into an intermediate product (eg, pellets) that can later be used to make fibers. Where an intermediate product (e.g. a granule) is obtained, the intermediate product may optionally be later blended with another material (e.g. a different polymeric material or other granules that include different or additional biodegradable particles, or no biodegradable particles) to control and achieve the desired percentage the content of biodegradable particles in the fiber then formed.

[ 0079 ] Embodiments of the process according to the invention provide for fiber formation, either directly from a biodegradable polymer blend or from intermediate products (e.g., granules), using suitable textile fiber manufacturing methods as are well known in the art. The method for producing textile fibers may include, for example, melt spinning, wet spinning, dry spinning, gel spinning, electrospinning, and the like, as is known in the art. For example, a blend (eg, a highly biodegradable polymer blend, or a blend containing intermediates - eg, a blend including molten intermediates and optionally one or more other materials) can be extruded through dies to form continuous filaments. The continuous filaments can then be processed, for example by drawing, texturing, crimping and/or cutting, or any other method known in the art, to form fibers with the most appropriate shape for their end use. The continuous filaments can be cut to a predetermined length and packaged in a bale. The bale can then be directed, for example, to a yarn former that processes the staple fibers into yarn (which could be further processed, for example, for use in clothing as a base layer of a garment). In some embodiments, the fibers may be carded and stitched (horizontally or vertically) to form a non-woven insulating batt.

[ 0080 ] In some embodiments, a biodegradable additive is incorporated into a polymeric material (eg, polyethylene, such as PET) and, once blended, the biodegradable polymer mixture can be extruded into pellets, which may be referred to as "masterbatch". The masterbatch can then be transferred to a manufacturer for extrusion (eg, meltblown). The masterbatch can be used (eg, melted and extruded) to produce synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability. Alternatively, the masterbatch can be combined with pellets of a different composition to produce a desired mixture that can be used to make synthetic fibers with increased biodegradability.

[ 0081 ] The steps involved in forming a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, or an insulation or article incorporating a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability, may differ depending on the fiber to be formed. For example, in some embodiments, according to the invention, a continuous thread is formed, for example, by drawing (and potentially texturing and/or adding one or more finishing chemicals). In some embodiments, the process creates staple fibers, for example, by drawing, cutting, optionally crimping, and optionally adding one or more finishing chemicals. In some embodiments, monofilament fibers are formed by the method, for example, by drawing and winding the threads in the form of single continuous strands. It is contemplated that any desired finishing chemicals may be used in accordance with the invention. Finishing chemicals are well known in the art and include, for example, siliconizing agents, long lasting water repellency treatments, and the like.

[ 0082 ] Biodegradable synthetic fibers can form and/or be incorporated into articles (eg, final products), eg, garments, fabric, insulation, monofilaments, yarns, etc. In some embodiments, articles or insulation with enhanced biodegradability fiber biodegrade faster than similar articles or insulation without enhanced biodegradable fibers. The biodegradable synthetic fiber and/or articles or insulation made with the biodegradable synthetic fiber according to the invention may have a first BR ₁ rate (e.g., by weight) of full or partial (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75% ) biodegradability, while a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability and/or products or insulation made from polymeric fibers without increased biodegradability can respectively have a second rate BR _{2 of} complete or partial (for example, 25%, 50%, 75%) biodegradation, which is significantly lower/slower than the first rate of BR ₁ biodegradation. In some embodiments, the first BR ₁ biodegradation rate may be at least 50% higher or 100% faster (i.e., twice as fast) than the second BR ₂ biodegradation rate, e.g., at least 50%, 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, 300%, 400%, 500%, 600%, 700%, 800%, 900%, 1000%, 1100%, 1200%, 1300%, 1400% or 1500% faster than second rate BR 2 biodegradation.

[ 0083 ] With reference to FIG. 1-5, an embodiment of a synthetic (eg, polyester) fiber 130 with increased biodegradability, as described in more detail above, and a method for making such a fiber are shown. The method may include obtaining a polymeric material 110 (depicted inside the container 100, as shown in FIG. 1). The polymeric material 110, such as polyester, may be mixed with biodegradable additives or particles 120 to form a polymer blend with increased biodegradability, as shown in FIG. 1. Thereby, the biodegradable particles 120 may be blended so as to be substantially uniformly distributed within the polymeric material 110. The blend may be extruded to form a fiber 130 (which may be filament, or may be cut into staple fibers) as shown in FIG. 2, 4 and 5, or formed into pellets 140 as shown in FIG. 4 as described in more detail above and shown in FIG. 2-5. Where the mixture is melt-extruded into pellets, the pellets can then be extruded to form fibers 130.

[ 0084 ] One embodiment of the inventive enhanced biodegradable synthetic fiber 130 is illustrated in FIG. 2, 4, and 5. As shown, the polymeric material 110 of the enhanced biodegradable synthetic fiber 130 contains numerous biodegradable particles or additives 120 dispersed within the bulk of the polymeric material 110. The biodegradable particles 120 may be uniformly distributed throughout the polymeric material 110. Although FIG. 2-5 show biodegradable particles 120 completely embedded in polymeric material 110, it is also possible that in some examples, biodegradable particles 120 may be at least only partially embedded in polymeric material 110.

[ 0085 ] As shown in FIG. 4, biodegradable synthetic fiber 130 may have multiple biodegradable particles 120 dispersed throughout polymer material 110 of fiber 130. Biodegradable particles 120 may be uniformly distributed throughout polymer material 110 and fiber 130 as shown. As shown in FIG. 4, biodegradable particles 120 may be present on the outside of polymeric material 110 (and potentially fiber 130 itself) such that microorganisms are able to consume biodegradable particles 120 and form depressions, cavities, tunnels, or holes within the bulk of polymeric material 110, increasing its rate of biodegradation, such as has been explained above.

[ 0086 ] As shown in FIG. 5, fiber 130 may be siliconized such that silicon-containing material 150 may be extended around polymer material 110 and biodegradable particles 120. Microorganisms may thereby consume or otherwise cause separation of silicon-containing material 150 from polymer material 110 and biodegradable particles 120 to thereby expose the biodegradable particles 120. Microorganisms may thereby be able to consume the biodegradable particles 120 and form depressions, cavities, tunnels or holes to increase its rate of biodegradation as explained above.

[ 0087 ] The terminology used herein is intended to describe specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used here, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise. In addition, it will be understood that the terms "include" (and any forms of the word "include" such as "includes" and "comprising"), "have" (and any forms of the word "have" such as "has" and "having"),"comprise" (and any forms of the word "comprise" such as "contains" and "concluding"), "contain" (and any forms of the word "comprise" such as "contains" and "comprising"), and any other grammatical variant of them, are non-limiting linking verbs. As a result, a method or article of manufacture that "comprises", "has", "comprises", or "comprises" one or more steps or elements has the same one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more steps. or elements. Similarly, a process step or article element that "comprises", "has", "contains", or "comprises" one or more features has those one or more features, but is not limited to having only those one or more features.

[ 0088 ] As used herein, the terms "comprising", "has", "concluding", "comprising", and other grammatical variations thereof encompass the terms "consisting of" and "essentially consisting of".

[ 0089 ] The expression "essentially consisting of" or its grammatical variations, when used here, should be taken as defining the specified features, integers, steps or components, but not excluding the addition of one or more additional features, integers, steps, components or groups of them, but only if additional features, integers, stages, components or groups of them do not materially change the basic and new characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods.

[ 0090 ] All publications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference as if each individual publication were specifically and individually shown as being incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[ 0091 ] The subject matter incorporated by reference is not to be considered as an alternative to any of the limitations of a claim unless otherwise expressly stated.

[ 0092 ] Where one or more ranges are referred to throughout this description, each range is intended to constitute an abbreviated presentation format, where the range is understood to encompass each discrete point within the range, as if they were fully set forth here.

[ 0093 ] While some aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects and embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art to achieve the same objectives. Accordingly, this invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such additional and alternative aspects and embodiments as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (67)

1. Synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability for use in textile material, including: a polymeric material selected from polyethylene polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and polypropylene; and from 0.1 to 4.5 wt.% of one or more biodegradable additives, at least partially contained within the polymeric material and increasing the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material in a biodegradable environment, and the biodegradable additive includes at least one compound from an aliphatic-aromatic an ester, a polylactide, an organoleptic compound, a monosaccharide, an aldohexose, or a combination thereof, and the fiber has a denier from 0.4 to 10. 2. Fiber according to claim 1, including at least 85% polymeric material. 3. A fiber according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymeric material comprises a polyester. 4. The fiber of claim 3, wherein the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate. 5. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biodegradable additive comprises at least one aliphatic-aromatic ester, at least one polylactide, at least one organoleptic compound, at least one monosaccharide, and at least one aldohexose . 6. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic fiber is siliconised. 7. A fiber according to claim 6 wherein the siliconizing material is free of one or more biodegradable additives. 8. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more biodegradable additives are uniformly dispersed within the polymeric material. 9. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising from 0.5 to 3% by weight of one or more biodegradable additives. 10. Fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.% of one or more biodegradable additives. 11. Fiber according to any of the preceding claims, having a denier value less than or equal to 1 denier. 12. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, having a denier value greater than 1 denier. 13. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber meets or exceeds biodegradability standards as determined by ASTM D6400-12. 14. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber is configured as a monofilament. 15. Fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, having a binding temperature less than or equal to 200°C. 16. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the biodegradable medium is a medium including microorganisms that break down and/or facilitate the degradation of the polymeric material and biodegradable additives. 17. The fiber of claim 16 wherein the biodegradable environment is anaerobic. 18. The fiber of claim 16 wherein the biodegradable medium is landfill or sea water. 19. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber is a staple fiber having a length of 5 to 120 mm. 20. A fiber according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fiber is a filament. 21. A batt for use in insulation, comprising a biodegradable synthetic fiber according to any one of the preceding claims. 22. Insulating material, including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 1-20. 23. Yarn for use in textile material, including synthetic fiber with high biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 1-20. 24. Product, including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 1-20. 25. The article of claim 24, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of outerwear, footwear, clothing, sleeping bag, bedding and industrial textile material. 26. Synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability for use in textile material, including: a polymeric material selected from polyethylene polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), and polypropylene; and from 0.1 to 4.5 wt.% of one or more biodegradable additives, at least partially contained within the polymeric material and increasing the rate of biodegradation of the polymeric material in a biodegradable environment, and the biodegradable additives include at least one compound from an aliphatic-aromatic an ester, a polylactide, an organoleptic compound, a monosaccharide, an aldohexose, or a combination thereof, and silicone coating around the polymer material and biodegradable additives, and the fiber has a denier from 0.4 to 10. 27. Fiber according to claim 26, including at least 85% polymeric material. 28. A fiber according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the polymeric material comprises a polyester. 29. The fiber of claim 28, wherein the polyester is polyethylene terephthalate. 30. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-29, wherein the biodegradable additives include at least one aliphatic-aromatic ester, at least one polylactide, at least one organoleptic compound, at least one monosaccharide, and at least one aldohexose. 31. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-30, in which the silicone coating is free of biodegradable additives. 32. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-31, in which one or more biodegradable additives are uniformly dispersed within the polymeric material. 33. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-32, including from 0.5 to 3 wt.% of one or more biodegradable additives. 34. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-33, including from 0.5 to 1.5 wt.% of one or more biodegradable additives. 35. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-34 having a denier value less than or equal to 1 denier. 36. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-34 having a denier value of more than 1 denier. 37. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-36 having a binding temperature above 200°C. 38. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-37, including a bindable fiber having a binding temperature less than or equal to 200°C. 39. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-38, wherein the biodegradable medium is a medium including microorganisms that degrade and/or facilitate the degradation of the polymeric material and biodegradable additives. 40. The fiber of claim 39, wherein the biodegradable environment is anaerobic. 41. The fiber of claim 40, wherein the biodegradable medium is landfill or seawater. 42. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-41, wherein the fiber is a staple fiber having a length of 5 to 120 mm. 43. Fiber according to any one of paragraphs. 26-41, in which the fiber is a thread. 44. The fiber of claim 43, wherein the fiber is configured as a monofilament. 45. Batting for use in insulation, including a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 26-44. 46. Insulating material, including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 26-44. 47. Yarn for use in textile material, including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 26-44. 48. Product, including synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 26-44. 49. The article of claim 48, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of outerwear, footwear, clothing, sleeping bag and bedding. 50. A method of obtaining a synthetic fiber with increased biodegradability according to any one of paragraphs. 1-20, 26-44, the method comprising: mixing one or more biodegradable additives and a polymeric material to form a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability; and extrusion of a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability; and optionally, performing one or more additional processing steps to form a synthetic fiber. 51. The method of claim 50 wherein the one or more additional processing steps comprise siliconizing the fiber. 52. The method of claim 50 or 51, wherein the one or more biodegradable additives and the polymeric material are dry during mixing. 53. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 50-52, wherein the one or more biodegradable additives and the polymeric material are wet or liquid during mixing. 54. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 50-53, where the extrusion of a polymer mixture with increased biodegradability forms a fiber having a denier value less than or equal to 1 denier. 55. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 50-54, wherein the extrusion of the biodegradable polymer blend comprises forming a biodegradable polymer pellet. 56. The method of claim 55, wherein the additional processing steps include forming a biodegradable synthetic fiber from a biodegradable polymer granule. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein the biodegradable polymer pellet is extruded to form a biodegradable synthetic fiber.

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