Recyclate polyethylene composition with improved mechanical and optical properties

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition having a melt flow rate (ISO 1133, 2.16 kg, 190° C.) of from 0.1 to 1.5 g/10 min; and a density of from 938 to 985 kg/m3, and comprising 35 wt.-% or more of a recycled polyethylene fraction (rPE), wherein the mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition has (a) a total amount of ethylene units (C2 units) of at least 95.0 wt.-%, as measured by 13C-NMR of the d2-tetrachloroethylene soluble fraction; (b) a total amount of continuous C3 units originating from polypropylene (PP) in an amount of from 0 to 3.0 wt.-%, determined by quantitative 13C{1H}-NMR measurement of the soluble fraction; and (c) an environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR) according to the Bell test, in accordance with IEC 60811-406, method B of at least 1000 h failure time, wherein the mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition further comprises at least one virgin polyethylene component (B), optionally blended with carbon black, and optionally a virgin polyethylene component (B1), different from virgin polyethylene component (B), optionally blended with carbon black, wherein the mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition has a tear resistance, determined according to BS 6469 section 99.1 of at least 24 N/mm. Such a mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition has high purity in terms of polyethylene content, low content of contaminants, high homogeneity, improved mechanical properties, and good optical properties. The present invention further relates to a method for its preparation, to the above recycled polyethylene fraction (rPE), obtainable or obtained by a method of recycling a mixed-plastic recycling stream, to an article made from the above mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition, and to the use of the above mixed-plastic recyclate polyethylene composition for wire and cable applications.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.