Polymeric material comprising modified lignin

Abstract

A polymeric material comprising a first polymer and a second polymer where the first polymer is a natural or a synthetic polymer and the second polymer is modified lignin. The modified lignin is modified with an alkyl containing group via linker wherein the linker is an ether group and wherein the alkyl containing group is derived from fatty acid methyl ester.

1 . A polymeric material comprising a first polymer and a second polymer wherein the first polymer is a natural or a synthetic polymer and the second polymer is modified lignin;
 wherein the modified lignin is modified by alkylation of the lignin via a linker   wherein the linker is an ester; wherein the esterification is obtained using an esterification agent wherein said esterification agent is a fatty acid containing an unsaturated bond.   
     
     
         2 . The material according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of modified lignin is 1-99 wt %, such as 3 wt % or more, or 5 wt % or more, or 10 wt % or more, or 15 wt % or more, or 20 wt % or more, or 25 wt % or more, or 30 wt or more, or 35 wt % or more, or 40 wt % or more, or 45 wt % or more, or 50 wt % or more, or 90 wt % or less, or 85 wt % or less, or 80 wt % or less, or 75 wt % or less, or 70 wt % or less, or 65 wt % or less, or 60 wt % or less. 
     
     
         3 . The material according to any one of  claims 1  to  2  wherein the first polymer is a polyolefin. 
     
     
         4 . The material according to  claim 3  wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The material according to any one of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the first polymer is a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate or a polynitrile such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), or a polycarbonate. 
     
     
         6 . The material according to  claim 3  wherein the amount of the first polymer is 1-99 wt %, such as 3 wt % or more, or 5 wt % or more, or 10 wt % or more, or 15 wt % or more, or 20 wt % or more, or 25 wt % or more, or 30 wt or more, or 35 wt % or more, or 40 wt % or more, or 45 wt % or more, or 50 wt % or more, or 90 wt % or less, or 85 wt % or less, or 80 wt % or less, or 75 wt % or less, or 70 wt % or less, or 65 wt % or less, or 60 wt % or less. 
     
     
         7 . The material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein alkyl group is a C4 or longer alkyl groups such as a C6 or longer, or C8 or longer, or C10 or longer, or C12 or longer, or C14 or longer, or C16 or longer, or C18 or longer. 
     
     
         8 . The material according to  claim 1  wherein the alkyl group is a C14-C18 alkyl group. 
     
     
         9 . The material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the modified lignin is thermally stable at temperatures up to 150° C., or up to 180° C., or up to 200° C., or up to 220° C., or up to 240° C. 
     
     
         10 . The material according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the lignin is Kraft lignin. 
     
     
         11 . The material according to the present invention wherein the material does not contain any additional compatibilizer. 
     
     
         12 . An extruded or injection moulded product comprising the polymeric material according to any one of  claims 1  to  11 . 
     
     
         13 . A compatibilizer for polymeric materials comprising modified lignin wherein the modified lignin is modified with an alkyl containing group via linker wherein the modified lignin is modified by alkylation of the lignin via a linker wherein the linker is an ester. 
     
     
         14 . A method of extruding the material according to the present invention comprising:
 mixing the first polymer and the second polymer and optionally a compatibilizer wherein the first polymer is a natural or a synthetic polymer and the second polymer is modified lignin; and   extruding the formed mixture at a temperature of at least 100° C., preferably at least 170° C. or at least 180° C.;   optionally cutting the extruded material into pellets; and   drying the obtained extruded material.   
     
     
         15 . A method of injection moulding a product of the material according to the present invention wherein the method comprises:
 providing pellets or powder of the present material; and   injection moulding the pellets or powder into a desired shape at a temperature of at least 100° C., or preferably at least 180° C. or at least 200° C.