Process for the Preparation of Polyesters with High Recycle Content

摘要

Disclosed is a process for producing copolyesters with high levels of recycled content. Scrap or post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) is depolymerized by methanolysis or glycolysis to produce a purified, recycled dimethyl terephthalate which can be repolymerized with 2 or more diols. The polyesters of this invention have physical properties and an appearance that is similar to polyesters prepared from virgin monomers. In addition to dimethyl terephthalate, the polyesters can be prepared from recycled ethylene glycol recovered from depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and/or 1,4-cyclo-hexanedimethanol prepared by hydrogenation of recycled dimethyl terephthalate or recovered from depolymerized polyester mixtures.