	US 12,435,201 B2
	Process for recycling polyethylene terephthalate using a selected feedstock
Suresh L. Makhija, Mumbai (IN); Dhanvant Yeola, Nashik (IN); and Christian Neumann, Hanau (DE)
Assigned to Revalyu Resources GmbH, Kleinostheim (DE)
Appl. No. 18/857,332
Filed by Revalyu Resources GmbH, Kleinostheim (DE)
PCT Filed Sep. 19, 2023, PCT No. PCT/EP2023/075807 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 16, 2024, PCT Pub. No. WO2024/061907, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 28, 2024.
Claims priority of application No. 22196678 (EP), filed on Sep. 20, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2025/0171608 A1, May 29, 2025
Int. Cl. C08J 11/18 (2006.01)

CPC C08J 11/18 (2013.01) [C08J 2367/02 (2013.01)]

9 Claims

1. A method for producing a first intermediate product, comprising the steps of

a. providing a feedstock that comprises a first polyester, wherein the first polyester in the feedstock is in the form of a plurality of fragments;

b. contacting the feedstock with a first amount of a first organic compound in a volume section V₁to obtain a first initial mixture, wherein the first amount is in the form of a liquid and wherein the intrinsic viscosity of the first polyester in the volume section V₁varies by less than 15%;

c. transporting the first polyester to a volume section V₃;

d. contacting the first polyester with a further organic compound in the volume section V₃to obtain a further initial mixture;

e. reducing a weight average molar mass of the first polyester in the volume section V₃to obtain a first intermediate mixture, wherein the first intermediate mixture comprises

i. a first intermediate product that has an intrinsic viscosity in the range of 0.010 dL/g to 0.120 dL/g,

ii. the further organic compound;

wherein

in the range of 5 wt-% to 30 wt-% of the fragments, based on a total weight of the plurality of fragments in the feedstock, have a thickness that is equal to or larger than 1.0 mm,

with the intrinsic viscosity, the wt-%, and the thickness of a fragment determined according to the methods described herein.