WO2025083050A1

WO2025083050A1 - Process for recycling a polymeric material w comprising a polymer p

Info

Publication number: WO2025083050A1
Application number: PCT/EP2024/079191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oliver Pikhard; Tobias May; Miriam Magdalena SCHAAKE
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2023-10-17
Filing date: 2024-10-16
Publication date: 2025-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-17

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for recycling a polymeric material W comprising a polymer P, said process being a mechanical and enzymatic recycling process and to a recycling unit for carrying out said process.

Description

Process for recycling a polymeric material W comprising a polymer P

Recycling process of polymeric material such as textile is expected to change drastically in the next years in view of the more and more stringent legislation that will be applied at least in the Ell. In order to fulfil the higher recycling goals, new processes such as chemical recycling of waste material, such as textile waste material, will have to be developed and applied. The enzymatic degradation of polymers has been described in the art. For example, the mechanochemi- cally assisted degradation of textiles has also recently been described, wherein either cellulose or cellulose and PET are ground in ball mills in the presence of water and enzymes. The degradation of cellulose is done with cellulase. For example, such degradation are disclosed in “Closing the cycle: Enzymatic recovery of high purity glucose and polyester from textile blends”, Resources, Conservation & Recycling 188 (2023) 106701 , which describes the grinding of the textile and enzymatic hydrolysis.

In addition to the mechanical activation of the material, the impregnation of the polymer to be recycled, such as cellulose, with NaOH before enzymatic digestion is also very helpful to achieve faster conversion rates. However, the polymer must then be washed prior to the enzymatic hydrolysis in order not to impair the function of the enzymes. This is an additional treatment step that is expensive and thus endangers the entire profitability of the process.

Therefore, there is a need to provide a new process for recycling polymeric material which is more efficient and cost-effective compared to existing ones.

Surprisingly, it was found that the process of the present invention permits to improve the recycling of polymeric material such as textile fibers (cellulose-based material, PET and polyamide textile fibers), in particular showing better yields while being cost-effective.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a process for recycling a polymeric material W, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing a polymer P;

(ii) shredding the pieces p1 of W provided according to (i) in a shredding device S(W), obtaining pieces p2 comprising the polymer P;

(iii) providing a mixture M1 comprising water and milled pieces p3 comprising the polymer P, wherein (iii) comprises (111.1) introducing the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P obtained according to (ii) together with water into a container C1 ;

(111.2) bringing in contact what is introduced into the container C1 , obtaining a mixture;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1 ;

(111.4) passing the mixture removed from C1 according to (iii.3) into a milling device MD and removing the obtained mixture from MD; wherein (iii) further comprises recirculating the mixture removed from MD according to (iii.4) into C1 by introducing it into C1 in step (iii.2); wherein the recirculating is performed n times, with n = 2 or more;

(iv) introducing the mixture M1 obtained according to (iii) and an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into a reactor unit Rll, bringing in contact M1 with the enzyme, and subjecting M1 to depolymerization conditions, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P.

In the context of the present invention, a polymeric material means a material comprising one or more polymers.

Preferably the polymeric material W is a waste material, the waste material more preferably including pre-consumer waste material and post-consumer waste material.

In the context of the present invention, the term “pre-consumer waste material” refers to waste material obtained from the manufacturers (such as textile scraps), retailers, and so on.

Step (i)

Preferably (i) comprises

(1.1) providing a waste material WO comprising polymeric materials having different chemical compositions;

(1.2) shredding WO in a shredding device S(W0), obtaining pieces pO of the polymeric materials having different chemical compositions;

(1.3) sorting the pieces pO of polymeric materials by their chemical composition, obtaining pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing the polymer P and pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P.

Preferably the shredding device S(W0) used in (i.2) is one or more of a shredder, a guillotine and a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, the shredder being more preferably a double-shaft shredder or a four-shaft shredder. Examples of shredders are disclosed in US 2015/0273479 A1 , US 2005/0242221A1 , CN 216094089 U and WO2023/280814 A1 . Shredders that can be used in the process of the present invention are commercially available.

Preferably, the length of the pieces pO of the polymeric materials varies from a piece to another and is in the range of from 20 mm to 150 mm, more preferably in the range of from 20 to 100 mmm, the length of the pieces being the Feret diameter of the pieces.

Preferably, the length of the pieces p1 of the polymeric material W is in the range of from 20 mm to 150 mm, more preferably in the range of from 20 to 100 mm, the length of the pieces being the Feret diameter of the pieces.

Preferably sorting according to (i.3) is optical sorting, more preferably the optical sorting is hy- perspectral or infrared sorting, more preferably near-infrared sorting or mid-infrared sorting, more preferably near-infrared sorting.

Preferably from 40 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 60 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 70 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 80 to 100 weight-%, of the pieces p1 of W consist of polymer P.

Preferably the polymer P is cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyamide, more preferably cellulose or PET, more preferably cellulose.

Preferably the polymeric material W is textile polymeric material, more preferably comprising polymeric textile fibers.

Preferably the polymeric textile fibers are one or more of cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile fibers and polyamide textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile fibers or polyamide textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers.

Preferably, the polyamide textile fibers are one or more of polyamide 6 textile fibers, polyamide 6.6 textile fibers, polyamide 6.9 textile fibers and polyamide 6.10 textile fibers. More preferably, the polyamide textile fibers are one or more of polyamide 6 textile fibers and polyamide 6.6 textile fibers, more preferably polyamide 6 textile fibers or polyamide 6.6 textile fibers. The present invention preferably relates to a process for recycling a textile polymeric material W being cellulose-based material textile fibers, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the textile polymeric material W containing cellulose;

(ii) shredding the pieces p1 of W provided according to (i) in a shredding device S(W), obtaining pieces p2 comprising cellulose;

(iii) providing a mixture M1 comprising water and milled pieces p3 comprising cellulose, wherein (iii) comprises

(111.1) introducing the pieces p2 comprising cellulose obtained according to (ii) together with water into a container C1;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1;

(iv) introducing the mixture M1 obtained according to (iii) and cellulase into a reactor unit Rll, bringing in contact M1 with cellulase, and subjecting M1 to depolymerization conditions, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising glucose and further comprising nanocellulose.

Alternatively, the present invention preferably relates to a process for recycling a textile polymeric material W being PET textile fibers, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the textile polymeric material W containing PET;

(ii) shredding the pieces p1 of W provided according to (i) in a shredding device S(W), obtaining pieces p2 comprising PET;

(iii) providing a mixture M1 comprising water and milled pieces p3 comprising PET, wherein (iii) comprises

(111.1) introducing the pieces p2 comprising PET obtained according to (ii) together with water into a container C1 ;

(111.2) bringing in contact what is introduced into the container C1, obtaining a mixture;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1;

(111.4) passing the mixture removed from C1 according to (iii.3) into a milling device MD and removing the obtained mixture from MD; wherein (iii) further comprises recirculating the mixture removed from MD according to (iii.4) into C1 by introducing it into C1 in step (iii.2); wherein the recirculating is performed n times, with n = 2 or more; (iv) introducing the mixture M1 obtained according to (iii) and PETase into a reactor unit Rll, bringing in contact M1 with PETase, and subjecting M1 to depolymerization conditions, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.

Step (ii)

In the context of the present invention, preferably the shredding device S(W) used in (ii) is a shredder, a hammer mill, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a hammer mill or a cutting mill.

Preferably the length of the pieces p2 obtained according to (ii) is of at most 20 mm, preferably lower than 20 mm, the length of the pieces being the Feret diameter of the pieces.

Preferably shredding according to (ii) is dry shredding.

In the context of the present invention, dry shredding means shredding performed in the absence of solvent.

Step (iii)

Preferably, in (iii), no base is added into C1 , such as NaOH, KOH. Preferably no rinsing or washing is performed prior to introducing M1 into Rll according to (iv).

Preferably bringing in contact what is introduced into the container C1 according to (iii.2) comprises mixing what is introduced into the container C1.

Preferably, the container C1 is a stirred vessel. Optionally, the stirred vessel is a temperature- controlled/temperature-adjustable stirred vessel.

Preferably the temperature of the mixture in C1 is in the range of from 20 to 80 °C, more preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 °C, more preferably in the range of from 45 to 55 C.

In the context of the present invention, “what is introduced into the container C1” refers to water and the pieces p2 obtained according to (ii) and the mixture removed from MD according to (iii.4) when it is recirculated.

Preferably the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P obtained according to (ii) are introduced into C1 according to (iii.1) in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 10 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 1 to 8 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 3 to 6 weight-%, based on the sum of the weight of water and the weight of said pieces.

Preferably the milling device MD used in (iii.3) is one or more of a wet rotor mill and a stirred media mill, more preferably a wet rotor mill.

As to the wet rotor mill, it comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein preferably the gap between the rotor and the stator is in the range of from 50 to 1000 micrometers, more preferably of from 100 to 500 micrometers. The wet rotor mills that can be used in the present process are commercially available.

In the context of the present invention, the term “gap” used in relation with a mill refers to the shortest possible distance between the rotor and the stator.

In the context of the present invention, the term “wet rotor mill” can be used interchangeably with “colloidal mill” or “refiner” or “high shear rotor stator mill” or “inline disperser”. Such apparatus are known by the skilled person in the art.

In the context of the present invention the milling device used in (iii.3) removes the mixture obtained in (iii.2) and mills it in (iii.3) prior to pumping it back (recirculating it) n times to C1, the final mixture M1 is then introduced into Rll according to (iv).

As to the stirred media mill, it comprises a rotor and a stator, wherein preferably multiple gaps between the rotor and the stator are present and in the range of from 100 to 2000 micrometers, more preferably of from 700 to 1200 micrometers. Such stirred media mill can be called stirred media mill without screen. The stirred media mills that can be used in the present process are commercially available. Stirred media mill are for example disclosed in US 2023/0158511 A1 and AT 390456 B.

In the context of the present invention, the term “stirred media mill” can be used interchangeably with “agitator ball mill” or “agitator bead mill”.

Preferably, as to recirculating in step (iii), n is in the range of from 5 to 250, more preferably in the range of from 50 to 220, more preferably in the range of from 100 to 160.

Preferably, step (iii) is performed in the absence of enzyme.

Preferably, the recirculation according to (iii) is performed with one or more pumps. Preferably (iii) is performed batchwise, obtaining y batches B(i) of M1 , with i=1...y. Preferably y is in the range of from 2 to 30, more preferably in the range of from 5 to 20.

Step (iv)

Preferably the enzyme for degrading P used in (iv) is a cellulase, a PETase, a protease, an amidase and/ora cutinase, more preferably the enzyme is a cellulase or a PETase, more preferably a cellulase.

More preferably the cellulase is one or more of p-glucosidase, endo-1 ,4-p-D-glucanase and exo-1 ,4-p-D-glucanase.

More preferably the cellulase used in the process of the present invention is Spartec™ CEL 100 (from BASF). Spartec™ CEL 100 has a density of 1.05 - 1.1 g/mL and a pH of 4.2 to 4.5.

More preferably the PETase is PHL7.

Preferably the enzyme is used in (iv) at a concentration in the range of from 0.5 to 40 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 1 to 20 weight-% based on the dry weight of the pieces p3 of the polymer P.

Preferably cellulase is used in (iv) at a concentration in the range of from 3 to 20 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 4 to 16 weight-% based on the dry weight of the pieces p3 of cellulose.

Preferably, when the enzyme is PETase, the amount of the enzyme used in (iv) is in the range of from 0.5 to 40 mg per gram of the pieces p3 of PET, more preferably in the range of from 1 to 10 mg per gram of the pieces p3 of PET.

Preferably the activity of the enzyme is in the range of from 5 to 100 FPU, more preferably in the range of from 10 to 40 FPU.

Preferably, when the enzyme is a cellulase, its activity is in the range of from 5 to 100 FPU, more preferably from 10 to 40 FPU.

Preferably the reaction unit RU comprises m reactors RUm, with m= 1 or more. Preferably, the reactor unit comprises one or more milling devices. Preferably the one or more reactors Rllm are one or more stirred vessels. More preferably the one or more stirred vessels are temperature-controlled or temperature-adjustable. Indeed, depending on the reaction with the enzyme the vessel might need to be either cooled or heated. The one or more stirred vessels can be heated stirred vessels or cooled stirred vessels.

Preferably, when m= 2 or more, the m Rllm are arranged in series. Preferably, Rll further comprises m-1 milling device(s) for recirculating x times the mixture to Rllm, with x being more preferably of from 1 to 10. When recirculation is done, the respective mixture will be transferred from Rllm to RUm+1. Rllm+1 being located downstream of Rllm. This is illustrated in Figure 5.

Preferably m= 2 to 10, more preferably m= 4 to 8.

For example, m=4, the 4 units RU1 , RU2, RU3 and RU4 are arranged in series. Preferably, Rll further comprises 3 milling device(s) MDO, MD1 and MD2 for recirculating x times the mixture to the respective units RU1 , RU2 and RU3, respectively. The mixture is introduced into RU1 , passed in MDO and recirculated x times. When recirculation is done and the mixture back in RU1 , the respective mixture will be transferred from RU1 to RU2. The mixture will then be passed from RU2 to MD1 and recirculated x times in RU2. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back in RU2, the respective mixture is transferred from RU2 to RU3. The mixture will then be passed from RU3 to MD2 and recirculated x times in RU3. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back in RU3, the respective mixture is transferred from RU3 to RU4. The obtained mixture M2 is then removed from RU4.

Preferably x= 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 10.

Alternatively, preferably when m=1 , Rll comprises q compartments CTq, with q= 2 or more, arranged in series and Rll further comprises q-1 milling decive(s) for recirculating x times the mixture to CTq. When recirculation is done, the respective mixture will be transferred from CTq to CTq+1. CTq+1 being located downstream of CTq.

More preferably q= 2 to 10, more preferably q= 4 to 8.

For example, m=1 and q=4, Rll comprises 4 compartments CT1 , CT2, CT3 and CT4 arranged in series. Preferably, Rll further comprises 3 milling device(s) MDO, MD1 and MD2 for recirculating x times the mixture to the respective compartments CT 1 , CT2, CT3 and CT4 in Rll. The mixture is introduced into CT1 , passed in MDO and recirculated x times. When recirculation is done and the mixture back in CT1 , the respective mixture will be transferred from CT1 to CT2. The mixture will then be passed from CT2 to MD1 and recirculated x times in CT2. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back in CT2, the respective mixture is transferred from CT2 to CT3. The mixture will then be passed from CT3 to MD2 and recirculated x times in CT3. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back in CT3, the respective mixture is transferred from CT3 to CT4. The obtained mixture M2 is then removed from CT4 and RU.

Preferably x= 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 10.

Alternatively, preferably when m=1, Rll comprises one reactor RUT, preferably a stirred vessel, and further comprises a milling device MD’ for recirculating x times the mixture to the reactor. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back into the sole reactor, the mixture M2 is removed from RUT.

Preferably x= 1 to 10, more preferably 2 to 10.

More preferably, the present invention relates to a process for recycling a polymeric material W, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing a polymer P;

(iii) providing a mixture M1 comprising water and milled pieces p3 comprising the polymer P, wherein (iii) comprises

(111.1) introducing the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P obtained according to (ii) together with water into a container C1 ;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1;

(iii.4) passing the mixture removed from C1 according to (iii.3) into a milling device and removing the obtained mixture from the milling device; wherein (iii) further comprises recirculating the mixture removed from the milling device according to (iii.4) into C1 by introducing it into C1 in step (iii.2); wherein the recirculating is performed n times, with n = 2 or more;

(iv) introducing M1 obtained according to (iii) and an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into a reactor unit RU, wherein RU comprises one reactor RU’ and a milling device MD’, bringing in contact M1 with the enzyme in RU’, and subjecting M1 to depolymerization conditions in RU comprising passing M1 and the enzyme from RU’ to MD', milling in MD’ and subsequently mixing in RU’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P. Preferably, the batches of M1 are subjected one by one to depolymerization in (iv).

Preferably (iv) comprises y successive process stages S(i) for depolymerization, , with i=1 ... y, wherein in S(i), when i=1 , a batch B(1) of M1 is introduced into the reactor Rll’ comprised in Rll and brought in contact with the enzyme E(1) for degrading the polymer P in Rll’, obtaining a mixture MB(1);

- the mixture MB(1) is subjected to depolymerization conditions comprising passing MB(1) from Rll’ to MD’, milling in MD’ and recirculating the obtained mixture to Rll’ for mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, more preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining an intermediate mixture M2(1) comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P; wherein in each S(i), when i=2... y-1 , a batch B(i) is introduced into the reactor Rll’ comprised in Rll and brought in contact with the enzyme E(i) for degrading the polymer P as well as with M2(i-1) comprised in Rll’, obtaining a mixture MB(i) in Rll';

- the mixture MB(i) is subjected to depolymerization conditions comprising passing MB(i) from Rll’ to MD’, milling in MD’ and recirculating the obtained mixture to Rll’ for mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, more preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining an intermediate mixture M2(i) comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P; wherein in S(y), a batch B(y) is introduced into the reactor Rll’ comprised in Rll and brought in contact with the enzyme E(y) for degrading the polymer P as well as M2(y-1) comprised in Rll’, obtaining a mixture MB(y) in Rll';

- the mixture MB(y) is subjected to depolymerization conditions comprising passing MB(y) from Rll’ to MD’, milling in MD’ and recirculating the obtained mixture to Rll’ for mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, more preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P and removing M2 from Rll. Without wanting to be bound to any theory, it permits to reduce the quantity of enzyme to be used as well as the energy needed for the process compared to processes known in the art.

Preferably y is in the range of from 2 to 30, more preferably in the range of from 5 to 20. In the context of the present invention, preferably the depolymerization conditions comprises a depolymerization temperature in the range of from 15 to 80 °C.

In the context of the present invention, it is noted that the depolymerization temperature will depend on the enzyme used.

Preferably, when the enzyme used in (iv) is cellulase, wherein the depolymerization conditions comprises a depolymerization temperature in the range of from 15 to 80 °C, preferably in the range of from 30 to 70 °C, more preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 °C, more preferably in the range of from 45 to 55 °C.

Preferably the depolymerization conditions comprises a depolymerization pressure of about 1 atm.

Preferably (iv) further comprises introducing water into Rll, more preferably in the one or more reactors comprised in Rll.

Preferably (iv) further comprises adding a buffer solution in Rll, more preferably in the one or more reactors comprised in Rll. This will permit to maintain the pH in acceptable ranges for the enzyme to be effective.

Preferably, the buffer solution is a citric acid buffer, more preferably at a concentration of in the range of from 0.01 to 0.1 mol per kg of pieces p3 of P, more preferably in the range of from 0.03 to 0.08 mol per kg of pieces p3 of P. In this regard, it is noted that while no further treatment is necessary when the enzyme used is cellulase for degrading cellulose comprised in p3, the addition of a base such as NaOH might be necessary when the enzyme used is PETase for degrading PET comprised in p3 to maintain an acceptable pH.

Preferably the pH of the liquid phase of the mixture comprised in Rll, more preferably in the one or more reactors comprised in Rll, is in the range of from 3 to 7, more preferably in the range of from 4 to 6.

Optionally the process of the present invention further comprises after (iii) and prior to (iv), passing M1 through a separation unit Sil, obtaining M1 depleted in water and obtaining a liquid mixture comprising water. Preferably the separation unit Sil is one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone, a membrane filter, a screen or a decanter, more preferably one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone and a decanter, more preferably a centrifuge.

Preferably, the present invention relates to a process for recycling a polymeric material W, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing a polymer P;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1;

(iii.4) passing the mixture removed from C1 according to (iii.3) into a milling device MD and removing the obtained mixture from MD; wherein (iii) further comprises recirculating the mixture removed from MD according to (iii.4) into C1 by introducing it into C1 in step (iii.2); wherein the recirculating is performed n times, with n = 2 or more;

(iv) introducing M1 obtained according to (iii) and an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into a reactor unit Rll, wherein Rll comprises one reactor Rll’ and a milling device MD’, bringing in contact M1 with the enzyme in Rll’, and subjecting M1 to depolymerization conditions in Rll comprising passing M1 and the enzyme from Rll’ to MD', milling in MD’ and subsequently mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P; wherein the process further comprises after (iii) and prior to (iv), passing M1 through a separation unit Sil, more preferably a centrifuge, obtaining M1 depleted in water and obtaining a liquid mixture comprising water.

Preferably the process further comprises after (iii), and prior to (iv), and optionally prior to passing M1 in Sil as defined in herein above, storing and/or mixing M1 provided according to (iii) or M1 depleted in water obtained as defined herein above, in a container C2 and removing M1 from C2. Preferably, the container C2 is one or more of a stirred vessel and a non-stirred vessel, more preferably a stirred vessel. Optionally, the vessel is heated.

Preferably (iv) is performed semi-continuously or batchwise.

Preferably one or more of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are at least partially computer-implemented.

Optionally M2 obtained according to (iv) further comprises a polymer Q other than polymer P. According to this option, preferably the process further comprises separating the one or more monomers of P from the polymer Q other than polymer P in M2, obtaining a mixture M2’ comprising the one or more monomers of P and a mixture M2” comprising Q; subjecting M2” to a subsequent depolymerization stage comprising bringing in contact the M2” with an enzyme for degrading the polymer Q in a reactor unit and subjecting to depolymerization conditions, obtaining a mixture M2”(1) comprising one or more monomers of Q.

Preferably the subsequent depolymerization stage comprises bringing in contact M2” with an enzyme for degrading the polymer Q in the reactor unit and subjecting M2” comprising the polymer Q with the enzyme to depolymerization conditions comprising transferring M2” comprising the polymer Q with the enzyme from the reactor unit to a milling device, milling in said milling device and subsequently mixing in the reactor unit, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed o times, with o= 2 or more, preferably o= 10 to 20, obtaining a mixture M2”(1) comprising one or more monomers of the polymer Q.

The present invention further relates to a recycling unit for carrying out a process for recycling a polymeric material W according to the present invention, the unit comprising a shredding device S(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P; a container C1 ; a milling device MD; a means for recirculating the mixture from MD to C1 ; and a reactor unit Rll.

Preferably the shredding device S(W) used in (ii) is a shredder, a hammer mill, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a hammer mill or a cutting mill. Preferably the milling device MD is one or more of a wet rotor mill and a stirred media mill, more preferably a wet rotor mill.

Preferably, Rll comprises m reactors Rllm arranged in series and m-1 milling devices for recirculating x times the mixture removed from Rllm to Rllm, wherein m= 2 or more.

Preferably m= 2 to 10, more preferably m= 4 to 8.

Alternatively, preferably Rll comprises one reactor, wherein the reactor comprises q compartments CTq, with q= 2 or more, arranged in series and Rll further comprises q-1 milling de- cive(s) for recirculating x times the mixture to CTq.

Preferably q= 2 to 10, more preferably q= 4 to 8.

Alternatively, preferably Rll comprises a reactor Rll’ and a milling device MD’, more preferably one reactor Rll’ and one milling device MD’.

Preferably the means for recirculating the mixture from MD to C1 comprises one or more pumps.

Optionally, the recycling unit further comprises a separation unit Sil, more preferably being one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone, a membrane filter, a screen or a decanter, more preferably one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone and a decanter, more preferably a centrifuge. Without wanted to be bound to any theory using, the use of such separation unit permits to reduce the size of the downstream reactor unit, preferably of the downstream reactor(s).

Preferably, the present invention further relates to a recycling unit for carrying out a process for recycling a polymeric material W according to the present invention, the unit comprising a shredding device S(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P; a container C1 ; a milling device MD; a means for recirculating the mixture from MD to C1 ; and a reactor unit Rll, Rll comprising a reactor Rll’ and a milling device MD’, more preferably one reactor Rll’ and one milling device MD’; a separation unit Sil, more preferably being one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone, a membrane filter, a screen or a decanter, more preferably one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone and a decanter, more preferably a centrifuge. In the context of the present invention, preferably the unit further comprises a shredding device S(W0), S(W0) being located upstream of S(W), S(W0) more preferably being one or more of a shredder, a guillotine and a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, the shredder being more preferably a double-shaft shredder or a four-shaft shredder.

The present invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by the recycling unit according to the present invention, cause the recycling unit to perform the process according to the present invention.

The present invention further relates to a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when the instructions are executed by the recycling unit according to the present invention cause the recycling unit to perform the process according to the present invention.

The present invention further relates to a non-transient computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the process according to the present invention.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a process, preferably to the process as described herein above, which (further) comprises the step of converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P obtained in (i.3) obtainable by or obtained by the process as described herein above or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process as described herein above or the one or more monomers of polymer Q obtainable by or obtained by the process as described herein above to obtain a product PRF1.

Yet further, the present invention relates to a process comprising the step(s) of using the recycling unit as described herein above to obtain pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P or to obtain one or more monomers of polymer Q; and preferably converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P or the one or more monomers of polymer Q to obtain a product PRF1.

Preferably, the product PRF1 is selected from: i) building block or monomer; or ii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or iii) industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound, industrial use biocide, industrial use solvent, industrial use dispersant, composition thereof or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; or v) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth)acry- late hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate.

Regarding this process from which the product PRF1 is obtained, it is preferred: that the content of the polymer different to the polymer P or the chemical material or the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P in the product PRF1 is 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight-% or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight-% or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and/or that the content of the polymer different to the polymer P or the chemical material or the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P in the product PRF1 is 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight-% or less, more preferably 25 weight-% or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably that the content is determined based on identity preservation and/or segregation and/or mass balance and/or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

The publication Prior Art Disclosure; Issue 684; paragraphs [1000] to [8005]; ISSN: 2198-4786; published: February 12, 2024 will be regarded as Reference RF1 , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Preferably, the product PRF1 is a product as described in Reference RF1 ; paragraphs [1000] to [8005], Preferably, the process described herein is further a process for the production of a product, preferably product PRF1 .

The converting step to obtain the product PRF1 preferably comprises one or more step(s) as described below and can be performed by conventional methods well known to a person skilled in the art. The converting step preferably comprises one or more step(s) selected from: recycling, preferably depolymerizing, gasifying, pyrolyzing, and/or steam cracking; and/or purifying, preferably crystallizing, (solvent) extracting, distilling, evaporating, hydrotreating, absorbing, adsorbing and/or subjecting to ion exchanger; and/or assembling, preferably foaming, synthesizing, chemical conversion, chemically transforming, polymerizing and/or compounding; and/or forming, preferably foaming, extruding and/or molding; and/or finishing, preferably coating and/or smoothing.

In addition, the one or more step(s) are described in detail in Reference RF1 ; paragraphs [1000] to [8005],

The term “building block”, as used herein, comprises compounds, which are in a gaseous or liquid state under standard conditions of 0°C and 0.1 MPa. Building blocks are typically used in chemical industry to form secondary products, which provide a higher structural complexity and/or higher molecular weight than the building block on which the secondary product is based. The building block is preferably selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycols, syngas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. The alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds comprise in particular 1 to 12 carbon atoms, respectively.

The term “monomer”, as used herein, comprises molecules, which can react with each other to form polymer chains by polymerization. The monomer is preferably selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid, salts of (meth)acrylic acid; in particular sodium, potassium and zinc salts; (meth)acrolein and (meth)acrylates. (Meth)acrylates comprising 1 to 22 carbon atoms are preferred, in particular comprising 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The terms (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylate relate to acrylic acid, acrolein or acrylate and also to methacrylic acid, methacrolein or methacrylate, where applicable. Further, the monomer can be selected from hexamethylenediamine (HMD) and adipic acid.

The building block can further be an intermediate compound. The term “intermediate compound”, as used herein, comprises organic reagents, which are applied for formation of com- pounds with higher molecular complexity. The intermediate compound can be selected for example from the group consisting of phosgene, polyisocyanates and propylene oxide. The polyisocyanates are in particular aromatic di- and polyisocyanates, preferably toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and/or diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI).

The building block and the monomer and typical converting step(s) to obtain the building block or monomer are described in more detail in paragraphs [1000] to [1012] of Reference RF1.

The term “polymer A”, as used herein, comprises thermoplastic, e.g., polyamide or thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoset, e.g., polyurethane, elastomer, e.g., polybutadiene, or a copolymer or a mixture thereof and is defined in more detail in paragraphs [2001] to [2007] of Reference RF1.

The term “polymer composition A”, as used herein, comprises all compositions comprising a polymer as described above and one or more additive(s), e.g. reinforcement, colorant, modifier and/or flame retardant, and is defined in more detail in paragraph [2008] of Reference RF1. The term “polymer product A”, as used herein, comprises any product comprising the polymer A and/or polymer composition A as described above and is defined in more detail in paragraphs [2009] and [2010] of Reference RF1.

The step(s) to obtain the polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A or polymer product, preferably polymer product A is/are described in more detail in paragraph [2011] of Reference RF1.

The term “industrial use polymer”, as used herein, comprises rheology, polycarboxylate, alkox- ylated polyalkylenamine, alkoxylated polyalkylenimine, polyether-based, dye inhibition and soil release cleaning polymers defined in more detail in paragraphs [3035] to [3044] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic and amphoteric industrial use surfactants defined in more detail in paragraphs [3008] to [3034] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use descaling compound”, as used herein, comprises nonphosphate based builders (NPB) and phosphonates (CoP) described in more detail in paragraphs [3001] to [3005] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use biocide”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth or reproduction defined in more detail in paragraphs [3006] to [3007] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use solvent”, as used herein, comprises alkyl amides, alkyl lactamides, alkyl esters, lactate esters, alkyl diester, cyclic alkyl diester, cyclic carbonates, aromatic aldehydes and aromatic esters defined in more detail in paragraphs [3045] to [3055] of Reference RF1. The term “industrial use dispersant”, as used herein, comprises anionic and non-ionic industrial use dispersants defined in more detail in paragraphs [3056] to [3058] of Reference RF1. The term “composition and/or formulation thereof” with reference to the industrial use polymers, industrial use surfactants, descaling compounds and/or industrial use biocides refers to industrial use compositions and/or institutional use products and/or fabric and home care products and/or personal care products defined in more detail in paragraph [3059] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and/or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph [3060] of Reference RF1. The converting steps to obtain the industrial use composition or formulation of the industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound and/or industrial use biocide are defined in more detail in paragraph [3061] of Reference RF1.

The term “agrochemical composition”, as used herein, typically relates to a composition comprising an agrochemically active ingredient and at least one agrochemical formulation auxiliary. Examples of agrochemical compositions, active ingredients and auxiliaries are described in more detail in Reference RF1 , paragraph [4001],

The agrochemical composition may take the form of any customary formulation. The agrochemical compositions are prepared in a known manner, e.g. described by Mollet and Grubemann, Formulation technology, Wiley VCH, Weinheim, 2001 ; or Knowles, New developments in crop protection product formulation, Agrow Reports DS243, T&F Informa, London, 2005. The converting step(s) to obtain the agrochemically active ingredients and auxiliaries may be conducted in analogy to the production step(s) of their analogues that are based on petrochemicals or other precursors that are not gained by recycling processes. In addition, conversion to compounds mentioned in sections “Polymer” and “Cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or compositions or formulations thereof” may be performed as described in these sections as well as the respective paragraphs in Reference RF1.

The term active pharmaceutical ingredients and/or intermediates thereof, as used herein, comprises substances that provide pharmacological activity or other direct effect in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, or to affect the structure or any function of the body. Intermediates thereof are isolated products that are generated during a multi-step route of synthesis of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The term pharmaceutical excipients, as used herein, comprises compounds or compound mixtures used in compositions for various pharmaceutical applications, which are not substantially pharmaceutically active on itself. Active pharmaceutical ingredients and/or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients are defined in more detail in paragraph [5001] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the active pharmaceutical ingredients and/or intermediates thereof and pharmaceutical excipients may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.

The terms animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements, as used herein, comprises Vitamins, Pro-Vitamins and active metabolites thereof including intermediates and precursors, especially Vitamin A, B, E, D, K and esters thereof, like acetate, propionate, palmitate esters or alcohols thereof like retinol or salts thereof and any combinations thereof; Tetraterpenes, especially isoprenoids like carotenoids and xanthophylls including their intermediates and precursors as well as mixtures and derivates thereof, especially beta carotene, Canthaxan- thin, Citranaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene, Apo-carotenoids, and any combinations thereof; organic acids, especially formic acid, propionic acid and salts thereof, such as sodium, calcium or ammonium salts, and any combinations thereof, such as but not limited to mixtures of formic acid and sodium formiate, propionic acid and ammonium propionate, formic acid and propionic acid, formic acid and sodium formiate and propionic acid, propionic acid and sodium propionate and formic acid and sodium formiate; glycerides of carboxylic acids and short and medium chain fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acids, such as omega-6 fatty acid (C18:2) methyl ester and 1 ,2-propandiol and beverage stabilizers, such as polyvinylpyrroli- done-polymer or polyvinylimidazole/polyvinylpyrrolidone-copolymer. Animal feed additives, human food additives and dietary supplements are defined in more detail in paragraph [5002] of Reference RF1.

The converting step(s) to obtain the animal feed additives, human food additives, dietary supplements may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.

The terms aroma chemical and aroma composition as used herein, comprise a volatile organic substance with a molecular weight between 70-250 g/mol comprising a functional group with a carbon skeleton of C5-C16 carbon atoms comprising linear, branched, cyclic, for example with a ring size of C5-C18, bicyclic or tricyclic aliphatic chains and but not necessarily one or more unsaturated structural elements like double bonds, triple bonds, aromatics or heteroaromatics and preferably the one or more additional functional groups are selected from alcohol, ether, ester, ketone, aldehyde, acetal, carboxylic acid, nitrile, thiol, amine. In one aspect, the aroma chemical is a terpene-based aroma chemical, for example selected from monoterpenes and monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, diterpenes, triterpenes or tetraterpenes. Aroma chemicals can be combined with further aroma chemicals to give an aroma composition. Aroma chemicals and aroma compositions are defined in more detail in paragraph [5003] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the aroma chemical and aroma composition may comprise one or more synthesis steps and can be performed by conventional synthesis and techniques well known to a person skilled in the art.

The term “aqueous polymer dispersion”, as used herein, comprises aqueous composition(s) comprising dispersed polymer(s) and is defined in more detail in the section [6001] entitled “aqueous polymer dispersion” of Reference RF1. The dispersed polymer(s) may be selected from acrylic emulsion polymer(s), styrene acrylic emulsion polymer(s), styrene butadiene dispersions), aqueous dispersion(s) comprising composite particles, acrylate alkyd hybrid dispersions), polyurethane(s) (including UV-curable polyurethanes) and polyurethane - poly(meth) acrylate hybrid polymer(s). The term “emulsion polymer”, as used herein, comprises polymer(s) made by free-radical emulsion polymerization. Aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) are defined in more detail in the section [6002] entitled “Polyurethane dispersions” of Reference RF1. UV-curable polyurethane(s) is/are defined in more detail in the section [6017] of Reference RF1. Polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybrid polymer(s) is/are defined in more detail in the section [6016] of Reference RF1.

The term “polymeric dispersant”, as used herein, comprises preferably polymer(s) comprising polyether side chain, in particular polycarboxylate ether polymer(s) and polycondensation produces) defined in more detail in paragraph [6020] entitled “Polymeric dispersant” of Reference RF1.

The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polymer dispersion(s) comprising emulsion polymer(s) is/are defined in more detail in the section [6003] entitled “Emulsion polymerization” of Reference RF1.

The converting (polymerization) step(s) to obtain the aqueous polyurethane dispersion(s) is/are defined in more detail in the section [6014] entitled “Process for the preparation of aqueous polyurethane dispersions” and section [6017] entitled “Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” of Reference RF1. Composition(s) and uses of aqueous polymer dispersion(s) and of polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in the following sections of Reference RF1 : section [6004] entitled “Uses of aqueous polymer dispersions”, section [6005] entitled “Binders for architectural and construction coatings” section [6006] entitled “Binders for paper coating” section [6007] entitled “Binders for fiber bonding” section [6008] entitled “Adhesive polymers and adhesive compositions” section [6015] entitled “Aqueous polyurethane dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section [6016] entitled “Aqueous polyurethane - poly(meth)acrylate hybride polymer dispersions suitable for use in coating compositions” section [6017] entitled “Aqueous UV-curable polyurethane dispersions, their preparation and use and compositions containing them” section [6018] entitled “Inorganic binder compositions comprising polymeric dispersants and their use” [6019] 100% curable coating compositions

UV-crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylate(s) and its/their uses are defined in more detail in section [6009] entitled “UV-crosslinkable poly(meth)acrylates for use in UV-curable solvent-free hotmelt adhesives and their use for making pressure-sensitive self-adhesive articles” of Reference RF1.

Polyisocyanate(s), composition(s) comprising them and their uses are defined in more detail in section [6010] entitled “Polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.

Hyperbranched polyester polyol(s) and its/their uses are defined in more detail in section [6011] entitled “Organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols suitable for use in coating compositions” of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the hyperbranched polyester polyols is/are defined in more detail in the section [6012] entitled “Preparation of organic solvent based hyperbranched polyester polyols” of Reference RF1. Coating composition(s) comprising hyperbranched polyester polyol(s), polyisocyanate(s) and additive(s) and substrate(s) coated therewith are defined in more detail in section [6013] entitled “Organic solvent based two component coating compositions comprising hyperbranched polyester polyols and polyisocyanates” of Reference RF1.

Unsaturated polyester polyol(s), solvent-based coating composition(s) comprising said unsaturated polyester polyol(s) and substrate(s) for coating with said coating composition(s) are defined in more detail in section [6018] entitled “Organic solvent based coating composition comprising unsaturated polyester polyols” of Reference RF1.

100% curable coating composition(s) is/are defined in more detail in section [6019] of Reference RF1.

Polymeric dispersant(s) for inorganic binder compositions is/are defined in more detail in section [6020] of Reference RF1. The inorganic binder composition(s) comprising the polymeric dispersants and their use are defined in more detail in section [6021] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the polymeric dispersant(s) are defined in more detail in section [6020] of Reference RF1. The term “inorganic binder composition” comprising the polymeric dispersants), as used herein, comprises preferably in particular hydraulically setting compositions and compositions comprising calcium sulfate and is defined in more detail in section [6021] of Reference RF1 entitled “Inorganic binder compositions comprising the polymeric dispersant and their use”. Specific building material formulation(s) comprising polymeric dispersant(s) or building product(s) produced by a building material formulation comprising a polymeric dispersant are disclosed in more detail in section [6021] of Reference RF1.

The term “cosmetic surfactant”, as used herein, comprises non-ionic, anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants and is defined in more detail in paragraph [7002] of Reference RF1. The term “emollient”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound used for protecting, moisturizing, and/or lubricating the skin and is defined in more detail in paragraph [7003] of Reference RF1. The term “wax”, as used herein, comprises pearlizers and opacifiers and is defined in more detail in paragraph [7004] of Reference RF1. The term “cosmetic polymer”, as used herein, comprises any polymer that can be used as an ingredient in a cosmetic formulation and is defined in more detail in paragraph [7005] of Reference RF1. The term “UV filter”, as used herein, refers to a chemical compound that blocks or absorbs ultraviolet light and is defined in more detail in paragraph [7006] of Reference RF1. The term “further cosmetic ingredient”, as used herein, comprises any ingredient suitable for making a cosmetic formulation. Several sources disclose cosmetically acceptable ingredients. E. g. the database Cosing on the internet pages of the European Commission discloses cosmetic ingredients and the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, edited by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), discloses cosmetic ingredients. The term “composition and/or formulation thereof” with reference to the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter and/or further cosmetic ingredient refers to personal care and/or cosmetic compositions or formulations defined in more detail in paragraph [7007] of Reference RF1. The converting step(s) to obtain the cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter or further cosmetic ingredient is/are defined in more detail in paragraph [7008] of Reference RF1.

The terms “polymer B”, “polymer composition B”, “coating composition”, “other functional composition”, “foil”, “molded body”, “coating” and “coated substrate” are well known to the person skilled in the art and are defined in more detail from paragraph [8000] to [8005] of Reference RF1.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments resulting from the dependencies and back-references as indicated. In particular, it is noted that in each instance where a range of embodiments is mentioned, for example in the context of a term such as "The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 4", every embodiment in this range is meant to be explicitly disclosed for the skilled person, i.e. the wording of this term is to be understood by the skilled person as being synonymous to "The process of any one of embodiments 1 , 2, 3 and 4". Further, it is explicitly noted that the following set of embodiments represents a suitably structured part of the general description directed to preferred aspects of the present invention, and, thus, suitably supports, but does not represent the claims of the present invention.

1. A process for recycling a polymeric material W, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing a polymer P;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1 ;

2. The process of embodiment 1 , wherein the polymeric material W is a waste material, the waste material preferably including pre-consumer waste material and post-consumer waste material.

3. The process of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein (i) comprises

(1.2) shredding WO in a shredding device S(W0), obtaining pieces pO of the polymeric materials having different chemical compositions; (i.3) sorting the pieces pO of polymeric materials by their chemical composition, obtaining pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing the polymer P and pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P.

4. The process of embodiment 3, wherein the shredding device S(W0) used in (i.2) is one or more of a shredder, a guillotine and a cutting mill, preferably a shredder, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, the shredder being more preferably a doubleshaft shredder or a four-shaft shredder.

5. The process of embodiment 3 or 4, wherein sorting according to (i.3) is optical sorting, preferably the optical sorting is hyperspectral or infrared sorting, more preferably near-infrared sorting or mid-infrared sorting, more preferably near-infrared sorting.

6. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein from 40 to 100 weight-%, preferably from 60 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 70 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 80 to 100 weight-%, of the pieces p1 of W consist of polymer P.

7. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the polymer P is cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyamide, preferably cellulose or PET, more preferably cellulose.

8. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the polymeric material W is textile polymeric material, preferably comprising polymeric textile fibers.

9. The process of embodiment 8, wherein the polymeric textile fibers are one or more of cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile fibers and polyamide textile fibers, preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) textile fibers or polyamide textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers.

10. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the shredding device S(W) used in (ii) is a shredder, a hammer mill, a guillotine or a cutting mill, preferably a hammer mill or a cutting mill.

11 . The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the length of the pieces p2 obtained according to (ii) is of at most 20 mm, preferably lower than 20 mm, the length of the pieces being the Feret diameter of the pieces. 12. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein shredding according to (ii) is dry shredding.

13. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein bringing in contact what is introduced into the container C1 according to (iii.2) comprises mixing what is introduced into the container C1.

14. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the temperature of the mixture in C1 is in the range of from 20 to 80 °C, preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 °C, more preferably in the range of from 45 to 55 °C.

15. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P obtained according to (ii) are introduced into C1 according to (iii.1) in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 10 weight-%, preferably in the range of from 1 to 8 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 3 to 6 weight-%, based on the sum of the weight of water and the weight of said pieces.

16. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the milling device MD used in (iii.3) is one or more of a wet rotor mill and a stirred media mill, preferably a wet rotor mill.

17. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the enzyme for degrading P is a cellulase, a PETase, a protease, an amidase and/or a cutinase, preferably the enzyme is a cellulase or a PETase, more preferably a cellulase.

18. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 17, wherein the enzyme is used at a concentration in the range of from 0.5 to 40 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 1 to 20 weight-% based on the dry weight of the pieces p3 of the polymer P.

19. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the reaction unit Rll comprises m reactors Rllm, with m= 1 or more, preferably the reaction unit Rll comprises a reactor RLT and further comprises a milling device MD’, more preferably Rll comprises one reactor Rll’ and one milling device MD’.

20. The process of embodiment 19, wherein (iii) is performed batchwise, obtaining y batches B(i) of M1, with i=1...y, and wherein (iv) comprises y successive process stages S(i) for depolymerization, wherein in S(i), when i=1 , a batch B(1) of M1 is introduced into the reactor Rll’ comprised in Rll and brought in contact with the enzyme E(1) for degrading the polymer P in Rll’, obtaining a mixture MB(1);

- the mixture MB(y) is subjected to depolymerization conditions comprising passing MB(y) from Rll’ to MD’, milling in MD’ and recirculating the obtained mixture to Rll’ for mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, more preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P and removing M2 from Rll. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the depolymerization conditions comprises a depolymerization temperature in the range of from 15 to 80 °C. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein (iv) further comprises introducing water into Rll. The process of embodiment 22, wherein the pH of the liquid phase of the mixture comprises in Rll is in the range of from 3 to 7, preferably in the range of from 4 to 6. 24. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, further comprising after (iii) and prior to (iv), passing M1 in a separation unit Sil, obtaining a mixture M1 depleted in water and obtaining a liquid mixture comprising water.

25. The process of embodiment 24, wherein the separation unit Sil is one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone, a membrane filter, a screen or a decanter, more preferably one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone and a decanter, more preferably a centrifuge.

26. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 25, further comprising after (iii), and prior to (iv), and optionally prior to passing M1 in Sil as defined in embodiment 24 or 25, storing and/or mixing M1 provided according to (iii) or M1 depleted in water obtained according to embodiment 24 or 25, in a container C2 and removing M1 from C2.

27. The process of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein one or more of (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are at least partially computer-implemented.

28. A recycling unit for carrying out a process for recycling a polymeric material W according to any one of embodiments 1 to 27, the unit comprising a shredding device S(W) for shredding the pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P; a container C1 ; a milling device MD; a means for recirculating the mixture from the milling device to C1 ; and a reactor unit Rll.

29. The recycling unit of embodiment 28, wherein the reactor unit Rll comprises a reactor Rll’ and a milling device MD’, preferably one reactor Rll’ and one milling device MD’.

30. The recycling unit of embodiment 28 or 29, further comprising a separation unit Sil, Sil preferably being one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone, a membrane filter, a screen or a decanter, more preferably one or more of a centrifuge, a cyclone and a decanter, more preferably a centrifuge.

31. Process, preferably according to any one of embodiments 1 to 27, comprising the step: converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P obtained in (i.3) obtainable by or obtained by the process according to embodiment 3 or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of embodiments 1 to 27 to obtain a product PRF1. Process comprising the step(s): using the recycling unit according to any one of embodiments 28 to 30 to obtain pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P; and preferably converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P to obtain a product PRF1. Process according to embodiment 31 or 32, wherein the product PRF1 is selected from: i) building block or monomer; or ii) polymer, preferably polymer A, polymer composition, preferably polymer composition A, or polymer product, preferably polymer product A; or iii) industrial use polymer, industrial use surfactant, descaling compound, industrial use biocide, industrial use solvent, industrial use dispersant, composition thereof or formulation thereof; or iv) agrochemical composition, agrochemical formulation auxiliary or agrochemically active ingredient; or v) active pharmaceutical ingredient or intermediate thereof, pharmaceutical excipient, animal feed additive, human food additive, dietary supplements, aroma chemical or aroma composition; or vi) aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably polyurethane or polyurethane - poly(meth) acrylate hybrid polymer dispersion, emulsion, binder for paper and fiber coatings, UV-curable acrylic polymer for hot melts and coatings polyisocyanates, hyperbranched polyester polyol, polymeric dispersant for inorganic binder compositions, unsaturated polyester polyol or 100% curable composition; or vii) cosmetic surfactant, emollient, wax, cosmetic polymer, UV filter, further cosmetic ingredient or composition or formulation thereof; or viii) polymer B, polymer composition B, coating composition, other functional composition, foil, molded body, coating or coated substrate. Process according to any one of embodiments 31 to 33, wherein the content of the polymer different to the polymer P or the chemical material or the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P in the product PRF1 is 1 weight-% or more, preferably 2 weight-% or more, more preferably 5 weight-% or more, more preferably 15 weight-% or more, more preferably 30 weight-% or more, more preferably 40 weight-% or more, more preferably 60 weight-% or more, more preferably 80 weight-% or more, more preferably 90 weight-% or more, more preferably 95 weight-% or more; and/or wherein the content of the polymer different to the polymer P or the chemical material or the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P in the product PRF1 is 100 weight-% or less, preferably 95 weight-% or less, more preferably 90 weight-% or less, more preferably 50 weight-% or less, more preferably 25 weight- % or less, more preferably 10 weight-% or less; and preferably wherein the content is determined based on identity preservation and/or segregation and/or mass balance and/or book and claim chain of custody models, preferably based on mass balance, preferably the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) standard.

It is explicitly noted that the above set of embodiments represents a suitably structured part of the general description directed to preferred aspects of the present invention, and, thus, suitably supports, but does not represent the claims of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, the textile waste material is solid waste material.

In the context of the present invention, the term “textile waste material” refers to waste materials from clothing, carpet, furniture, fishing nets, woven textiles and tissues.

In the context of the present invention, the term “textile fibers” encompasses fibers, yarns, filaments, threads and fabrics.

In the context of the present invention, the term “cellulose-based material” refers to cotton, viscose, hemp, linen and/or other natural fibers.

In the context of the present invention, the term “cellulose-based material textile fibers” means fibers made of cellulose-based material, such as cotton, viscose etc., and similarly the term “polyamide 6 textile fibers” means textile fibers made of polyamide 6. Further, similarly the term “PET textile fibers” means textile fibers made of PET.

In the context of the present invention, the term “Raging” refers to reactive aging as known in the art.

In the context of the present invention, a term “X is one or more of A, B and C”, wherein X is a given feature and each of A, B and C stands for specific realization of said feature, is to be understood as disclosing that X is either A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. In this regard, it is noted that the skilled person is capable of transfer to above abstract term to a concrete example, e.g. where X is a chemical element and A, B and C are concrete elements such as Li, Na, and K, or X is a temperature and A, B and C are concrete temperatures such as 10 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C. In this regard, it is further noted that the skilled person is capable of extending the above term to less specific realizations of said feature, e.g. “X is one or more of A and B” disclosing that X is either A, or B, or A and B, or to more specific realizations of said feature, e.g. “X is one or more of A, B, C and D”, disclosing that X is either A, or B, or C, or D, or A and B, or A and C, or A and D, or B and C, or B and D, or C and D, or A and B and C, or A and B and D, or B and C and D, or A and B and C and D.

Examples

The performances of the recycling process of the prior art versus the process according to the present invention have been compared based on simulations. In the comparative process, the enzyme was directly added to the cellulose and water mixture for depolymerization, no pre-milling was performed and no Raging was performed. To the contrary, with the process according to the present invention, a pre-milling step (step(iii)) was performed. Water was then removed from M1 in a separation unit prior to a subsequent depolymerization in a reactor unit Rll comprising a milling device MD’ and a reactor Rll’. The depolymerization in Rll is performed as defined herein for the inventive process with "RAging cycles" (milling in a milling device and subsequent mixing in a stirred vessel). The results are illustrated in Table 1 below. The results of the simulations are in line with the experiments measurement as shown in Figure 2.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 shows the glucose yield achieved under different conditions to compare the inventive process performances with a process of the prior art. For tests 1 .2 to 1.4, the process comprises the mixing + milling steps of a mixture comprising cellulose and water, wherein said mixture is recirculating as in step (iii) of the process of the present invention between about 100 and 400 times, corresponding to a duration of from 15 min to 45 min. Then the samples were brought into a lab and the enzymes were added. That means no additional milling energy was put into the samples during the enzymatic degradation after milling, they were only stirred mildly by using a magnetic stirrer. The time on the x-axis indicates the increase in glucose produced by the enzymes in proportion to the maximum cellulose available for degradation. For the comparative test 1 .5 (NaOH treatment), prior to the addition of the enzyme to the cellulose and water mixture, the cellulose was pretreated with NaOH, rinsed and then the enzyme was mixed to water and cellulose (no pre-milling). Thus, it can be seen that thanks to the process of the present invention, better yield can be achieved. For the comparative test 1.1 , the enzyme was mixed to water and cellulose from the beginning. Thus, it can be seen that with the particular steps of recirculation according to (iii) prior to the addition of the enzyme in step (iv) permits to provide results as good as with the pre-treatment with NaOH as in the prior art. However, the advantage here is that no additional treatment such as rinsing/wash- ing prior to the enzyme addition is necessary.

Figure 2 shows the glucose yield achieved under different conditions to compare the inventive process performance with processes not according to the invention. For test 2.1 , the process comprises the mixing + milling steps of a mixture comprising cellulose and water, wherein said mixture is recirculating as in step (iii) of the process of the present invention about 100 times, corresponding to a duration of 14 min, the pre-milling is performed at a rotor-stator gap width of 700 pm. Enzymes are added after pre-milling. The other curves show the yield achieved without pre-milling as the enzyme was added from the beginning and at varying RAging cycles (either 2 min milling followed by 28 min mixing or 30s milling followed by 30 Min mixing) and varying gap width. It shows that with the given mill and solids concentration the mechanical force (adjusted by milling time and gap width) is of minor importance once the enzymes were added. The RAging procedure is similar to the one disclosed in “Sol- vent-free Enzyme activity: Quick, High-Yielding Mechanoenzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose into Glucose”, Fabien Hammerer et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 2621 -2624, except that in the present case the milling is done in a given mill and the resting is done is a tank (distinct from the mill). The time on the x-axis indicates the increase in glucose produced by the enzymes in proportion to the maximum cellulose available for degradation. While it can be seen that one can play with different parameters such as the duration of the milling, the duration of the mixing, the distance between the rotor and the stator, it is not sufficient to arrive at the results obtained with the process of the present invention, wherein the enzyme is only added, after a pre-milling of the mixture comprising water and cellulose, into a downstream reactor.

Figure 3 shows the glucose yield achieved under different conditions to compare the inventive process performance with processes not according to the invention. For the first curve A, a pre-milling of 15 min was performed in a milling device, namely a wet rotor mill at a rotor-stator gap width of 700 pm. Enzymes were added after pre-milling. Then the RAging cycle of 2 min milling and 28 min mixing is made for 6 h. For the second curve B, the material was pre-milled for 15 minutes at a rotor-stator at a gap width of 700 pm. Enzymes were added after pre-milling. Then the suspension was gently stirred using a magnetic stirrer for 6 h. In the treatment without pre milling or RAging (prior art), only dry textile is added, mixed with magnetic stirrer and then the enzymes are added (Curve C). As may be taken from said Figure, it is clear that the process of the present invention using a milling stage prior to depolymerization permits to increase significantly the glucose yield.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a recycling unit used for the process according to embodiments of the invention.

The production unit comprises a shredding device S(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P, a container C1 , a milling device MD and a reactor unit Rll. The pieces p1 of a polymeric material W (p1(W)) comprising a polymer P are introduced into the shredding device S(W) and shred to obtain the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P. The pieces p2 comprising the polymer P are introduced together with water into the container C1. What is introduced into the container C1 is brought in contact and the obtained mixture is removed from C1 and introduced into the milling device MD for milling. The obtained mixture is removed from MD and recirculated n times, with n = 2 or more, into C1. The mixture M1 finally removed from MD and comprising milled pieces p3 and water is introduced together with an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into the reactor unit Rll. M1 is brought in contact with the enzyme, and M1 is subjected to depolymerization conditions, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a recycling unit used for the process according to embodiments of the invention.

The production unit comprises a shredding device S(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P, a container C1, a milling device MD and a reactor unit Rll comprising m reactors R1 , R2, Rllm and m-1 milling devices MDO, MD1, MDm- 1. The pieces p1 of a polymeric material W (p1 (W)) comprising a polymer P are introduced into the shredding device S(W) and shred to obtain the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P. The pieces p2 comprising the polymer P are introduced together with water into the container C1. What is introduced into the container C1 is then brought in contact and the obtained mixture is removed from C1 and introduced into the milling device MD for milling. The obtained mixture is removed from MD and recirculated n times, with n = 2 or more, into C1. The mixture M1 finally removed from MD and comprising milled pieces p3 and water is introduced together with an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into Rll. M1 is brought in contact with the enzyme, and M1 is subjected to depolymerization conditions in Rll, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P. To do so, M1 is introduced into RU1 comprised in Rll, passed in MDO and recirculated x times, with x= 1 to 10. When recirculation is done and the mixture is back in RU1 , the respective mixture is transferred from RU1 to RU2. The mixture is then passed from RU2 to MD1 and recirculated x times in RU2. When the recirculation is done and the mixture is back in RU2, the respective mixture is transferred from RU2 to the next reactor. When the recirculation is done in the last milling device MDm-1 and the mixture is back in Rllm-1 , the respective mixture is transferred from Rllm-1 to Rllm, obtaining the mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P which is removed from Rllm and Rll.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a recycling unit used for the process according to embodiments of the invention.

The production unit comprises a shredding device S(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P, a container C1 , a milling device MD and a reactor unit Rll. The pieces p1 of a polymeric material W (p1(W)) comprising a polymer P are introduced into the shredding device S(W) and shred to obtain the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P. The pieces p2 comprising the polymer P are introduced together with water into the container C1. What is introduced into the container C1 is brought in contact and the obtained mixture is removed from C1 and introduced into the milling device MD for milling. The obtained mixture is removed from MD and recirculated n times, with n = 2 or more, into C1. The mixture M1 comprising milled pieces p3 and water finally removed from MD and passed through a separation unit Sil for removing some water. The obtained mixture M1 depleted in water compared to before its passage through Sil is introduced together with an enzyme for degrading the polymer P into the reactor Rll. This step comprises introducing M1 into Rll’ with the enzyme, bringing in contact M1 and the enzyme, passing the obtained mixture in MD’ and recirculating x times the mixture to the reactor Rll’, with x being preferably of from 1 to 10. When the recirculation is done and the mixture back into the sole reactor Rll’ of Rll, the mixture M2 is removed from Rll’ and Rll. In order to obtain M2, it is preferred that more than one batch of M1 be processed in Rll as disclosed in details in herein above.

Cited literature

“Closing the cycle: Enzymatic recovery of high purity glucose and polyester from textile blends”, Resources, Conservation & Recycling 188 (2023) 106701

Solvent-free Enzyme activity: Quick, High-Yielding Mechanoenzymatic Hydrolysis of Cellulose into Glucose”, Fabien Hammerer et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 2621 - 2624

- US 2015/0273479 A1

- US 2005/0242221A1

- CN 216094089 U

- WO2023/280814 A1

- US 2023/0158511 A1

AT 390456 B

Prior Art Disclosure; Issue 684; paragraphs [1000] to [8005]; ISSN: 2198-4786; published: February 12, 2024 (Reference RF1)

Claims

1. A process for recycling a polymeric material W, the process comprising

(i) providing pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing a polymer P;

(111.3) removing the mixture obtained according to (iii.2) from C1;

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material W is a waste material, the waste material preferably including pre-consumer waste material and post-consumer waste material.

3. The process of claim 1 or 2, wherein (i) comprises

(1.3) sorting the pieces pO of polymeric materials by their chemical composition, obtaining pieces p1 of the polymeric material W containing the polymer P and pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P; wherein preferably the shredding device S(W0) used in (i.2) is one or more of a shredder, a guillotine and a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, a guillotine or a cutting mill, more preferably a shredder, the shredder being more preferably a double-shaft shredder or a four-shaft shredder.

4. The process of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein from 40 to 100 weight-%, preferably from 60 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 70 to 100 weight-%, more preferably from 80 to 100 weight-%, of the pieces p1 of W consist of polymer P.

5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polymer P is one or more of cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide, preferably is cellulose, polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide, more preferably is cellulose or polyethylene terephthalate, more preferably cellulose.

6. The process of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polymeric material W is textile polymeric material, preferably comprising polymeric textile fibers; wherein preferably the polymeric textile fibers are one or more of cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate textile fibers and polyamide textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers, polyethylene terephthalate textile fibers or polyamide textile fibers, more preferably cellulose-based material textile fibers.

7. The process of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shredding device S(W) used in (ii) is a hammer mill, a shredder, a guillotine or a cutting mill, preferably a hammer mill or a cutting mill.

8. The process of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein shredding according to (ii) is dry shredding.

9. The process of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pieces p2 comprising the polymer P obtained according to (ii) are introduced into C1 according to (iii.1) in an amount in the range of from 0.5 to 10 weight-%, preferably in the range of from 1 to 8 weight-%, more preferably in the range of from 3 to 6 weight-%, based on the sum of the weight of water and the weight of said pieces.

10. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the milling device used in (iii.3) is one or more of a wet rotor mill and a stirred media mill, preferably a wet rotor mill.

11 . The process of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the temperature of the mixture in C1 is in the range of from 20 to 80 °C, preferably in the range of from 40 to 60 °C, more preferably in the range of from 45 to 55 °C.

12. The process of any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein, in (iii), the depolymerization conditions comprises a depolymerization temperature in the range of from 15 to 80 °C.

13. The process of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the reaction unit Rll comprises a reactor RLT and further comprises a milling device MD’; wherein (iii) is performed batchwise, obtaining y batches B(i) of M1, with i=1...y, and wherein (iv) comprises y successive process stages S(i) for depolymerization, wherein in S(i), when i=1 , a batch B(1) of M1 is introduced into the reactor Rll’ comprised in Rll and brought in contact with the enzyme E(1) for degrading the polymer P in Rll’, obtaining a mixture MB(1);

- the mixture MB(y) is subjected to depolymerization conditions comprising passing MB(y) from Rll’ to MD’, milling in MD’ and recirculating the obtained mixture to Rll’ for mixing in Rll’, the combination of milling followed by mixing being performed x times, with x= 1 to 10, more preferably x = 2 to 10, obtaining a mixture M2 comprising one or more monomers of the polymer P and removing M2 from Rll.

14. The process of any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising after (iii) and prior to (iv), passing M1 obtained according to (iii) in a separation unit Sil, obtaining a mixture M1 depleted in water and obtaining a liquid mixture comprising water.

15. The process of any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising after (iii), and prior to (iv), and optionally prior to passing M1 in Sil as defined in claim 14, storing and/or mixing M1 provided according to (iii), or M1 depleted in water obtained according to claim 14, in a container C2 and removing M1 from C2.

16. A recycling unit for carrying out a process for recycling a polymeric material W according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the unit comprising a shredding device C(W) for shredding pieces p1 of the polymeric material W comprising the polymer P; a container C1 ; a milling device MD; a means for recirculating the mixture from the milling device to C1; and a reactor unit Rll.

17. A process, preferably according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising the step of converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P obtainable by or obtained by step (i.3) of the process of claim 3 or a chemical material obtainable by or obtained by the process according to any one of claims 1 to 15 to obtain a product PRF1.

18. A process comprising the step(s) of using the recycling unit according to claim 16 to obtain pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P; and preferably converting the pieces p10 of polymeric materials containing a polymer different to the polymer P to obtain a product PRF1.