A PROCESS FOR PREPARING A POLYMER PRODUCT HAVING A 2,5-FURANDICARBOXYLATE MOIETY WITHIN THE POLYMER BACKBONE TO BE USED IN BOTTLE, FILM OR FIBRE APPLICATIONS

摘要

A process for preparing a polymer having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, and having a number average molecular weight of at least 25,000, includes a transesterification step, a polycondensation step, a drying and/or crystallizing step, and a step where the polymer is subjected to post condensation conditions, and to a polyester-containing bottle or film or fibre-containing woven or non-woven object made from melt-processing poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate), where the poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate) is obtainable by the process of the invention.

主权项

1. A process for preparing a poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate)polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 25,000, as determined by GPC based on polystyrene standards, wherein the process comprises:
(a) a first step which is (i) a transesterification step wherein dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate ester (diester) is transesterified with ethylene glycol(diol) in the presence of a transesterification catalyst; or (ii) providing a molten reaction mixture comprising bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,5-furandicarboxylate; (b) a polycondensation step at reduced pressure, preferably below 1 mbar and at elevated temperature, preferably below 240° C., wherein under melt conditions the product prepared in step (a) is reacted in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst and removing the condensate from the reactor; (c) drying and/or crystallizing the obtained condensate at a temperature from 90 to 160° C. ; and (d) subjecting the polymer of step (c) to post condensation conditions comprising a elevated temperature treatment ending at a temperature of at least 190° C. to thereby obtain a poly(ethylene-2,5-furandicarboxylate)polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 25,000.