Process for the manufacture of polybutylene terephthalate copolymers from polyethylene terephthalate, and compositions and articles thereof

A composition comprising a modified polybutylene terephthalate copolymer having a melting temperature of more than 200° C. and an intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 dL/g, and comprising

• (a) at least one residue derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component;
• and
• (b) a member selected from the group consisting of
• (i) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyamides, polylactic acid, and combinations thereof;
• (ii) at least one residue derived from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyamides, polylactic acid, and combinations thereof;
• and
• (iii) combinations thereof.

A composition comprising a modified polybutylene terephthalate copolymer having a melting temperature of more than 200° C. and an intrinsic viscosity ranging from 0.5 to 1.4 dL/g, and comprising

• (a) at least one residue derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component;
• and
• (b) a member selected from the group consisting of
• (i) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyamides, polylactic acid, and combinations thereof;
• (ii) at least one residue derived from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinylidene chlorides, polyamides, polylactic acid;
• and combinations thereof;
• and
• (iii) combinations thereof;
• wherein
• the modified polybutylene terephthalate copolymer is derived from a polyethylene terephthalate mixture comprising a second polymer selected from the group consisting of
• more than 0 to less than 290 ppm polyvinyl chloride,
• more than 0 to less than 5.7 wt % Nylon 6;
• more than 0 to less than 5.7 wt % Nylon 6,6;
• and
• optionally, more than 0 to less than 8 wt % polylactic acid, each based on the parts by weight or weight of the polyethylene terephthalate component;
• and
• the residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol groups, diethylene glycol groups, isophthalic acid groups, antimony-containing compounds, germanium-containing compounds, titanium-containing compounds, cobalt-containing compounds, tin containing compounds, aluminum, aluminum salts, 1,3-cyclohexane dimethanol isomers, 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol isomers, alkali salts, alkaline earth metal salts, phosphorus-containing compounds and anions, sulfur-containing compounds and anions, napthalene dicarboxylic acids, 1,3-propanediol groups, and combinations thereof.