Patent Description:
Compositions comprising biodegradable polyesters like polybutylene-adipate-terephthalate are widely used in the manufacture of flexible films for different applications, e.g. mulch films, consumer bags and waste bags. The addition of the rigid polymer polylactide ("PLA") to the biodegradable polyesters increases the E-modulus and tensile strength of the polyester composition and also improves the processability of the composition during film blowing.

Thin films made from the biodegradable composition with a thickness of roughly <NUM> to <NUM> micron are usually manufactured by film extrusion or blown film extrusion. Therefore, these films usually show an anisotropy between the transport direction of the machine ("machine direction") and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the machine ("transversal direction"). This anisotropy results inter alia in different values of the E-modulus, the tensile strength, the elongation at maximum tensile strength, and the tear resistance. The latter one is particular important for the manufacture of thin bags and especially if the bags possess a carrier handle. For the stability of the bags and especially the carrier handle the tear resistance should be sufficiently high, otherwise the bag and especially the carrier handle is not stable and may already tear at low weights of the goods carried in the bag. This is e.g. induced by small movements up and down of the bag and/or small holes teared into the bag by goods having sharp edges.

Further interesting properties of films used for packaging like bags for fruits and vegetables are the optical characteristics, i.e. the total transmittance, haze and clarity of the films. Due to the immiscibility of the PLA and biodegradable aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters present in the composition, the composition has a multiphase structure which may lead to undesirable non-transparent films.

For mulch films the elongation at maximum tensile strength in machine direction is an important parameter since mulch films are applied onto the field in machine direction. A higher elongation at maximum tensile strength in the machine direction results in a higher energy absorption by the film during the laying down process on the field by e.g. a tractor and hence allows a faster speed and less unwanted tearing of the films for the farmer. The addition of PLA to the biodegradable aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters inevitably leads to a significant decrease of the elongation at maximum tensile strength especially at higher PLA contents.

In view of the general efforts for reducing the consumption of mineral oil based resources, higher amounts of bio-based PLA and other bio-based raw materials in the biodegradable compositions are desirable. Unfortunately, further increase of the amount of PLA usually has undesirable side effects on the properties of the films produced. The sum of the important tear resistance values in machine and transversal direction of the films are reduced with increasing amounts of the very rigid PLA. Furthermore, the values of the tear resistance in transversal direction and machine direction of the films change their order, i.e. at low PLA contents the tear resistance in transversal direction is larger than the tear resistance in machine direction, but with increasing amounts of PLA the tear resistance in transversal direction becomes lower than the tear resistance in machine direction. Additionally, the elongation at maximum tensile strength also decreases with increasing PLA content.

<CIT> describes films made of compositions containing a continuous phase of thermoplastic polymer incompatible with starch, e.g. biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyethers and polyamides, and a disperse phase made of destructurized starch, and a further dispersed phase of a rigid polymer such as polylactide acid and polyglycolic acid. The films show a substantial isotropy of the two longitudinal and transverse direction in relation to tear propagation and no propagation of any lateral fractures.

<CIT> relates to compositions for use as films comprising a polymer of natural origin, e.g. starch, and a biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic copolyester containing aliphatic long chain and short chain diacids. The composition may further comprise a rigid polymer, e.g. a polyhydroxyalkanoate like polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid. The film shown in the experimental section has a lower tear resistance in transversal direction than in machine direction.

<CIT> describes biodegradable resin composition and a biodegradable film made thereof. The composition comprises at least <NUM> components, namely starch, an aliphatic polyester, a non-crystalline polylactide acid and an aliphatic-aromatic polyester. The use of non-crystalline PLA in the compositions leads to improved film properties compared to film prepared from compositions containing crystalline PLA.

<CIT> discloses in example <NUM> a film made from a polymer blend comprising <NUM> wt% polycaprolactone, and <NUM> wt% polylactide having a number-average molecular weight of <NUM>,<NUM> and a <NUM>% meso-lactide content, and <NUM> wt% diatomaceous earth.

An object of the present invention was to provide biodegradable polymer compositions comprising PLA and biodegradable polyester with increased content of bio-based components which are suited for the manufacture of flexible films with improved mechanical properties, in particular for the manufacture of thin flexible films wherein the tear resistance in transversal direction is sufficiently high and having improved elongation at maximum tensile strength in machine direction. Preferably, the films prepared from such biodegradable polymer compositions have improved optical properties with respect to transmittance, haze and clarity.

These objects could be achieved by the following biodegradable polymer composition containing.

The present invention also relates to films comprising the biodegradable polymer composition and to packaging like carrier bags, and fruit and vegetable bags; waste bags, and mulch films comprising the films according to the present invention.

Surprisingly it was found that biodegradable compositions containing poly(meso-lactide) as PLA component yield biodegradable films with improved mechanical and/or optical properties.

In the following the invention will be described in detail.

The polymer composition contains as component a1) one or more poly(meso-lactide).

The term "poly(meso-lactide)" as used herein means a polymer or copolymer containing mainly repeating units derived from meso-lactide. It is also abbreviated as PMLA herein. Meso-lactide is the cyclic diester of a D-lactic acid and a L-lactic acid. Essentially, the homopolymerization of meso-lactide yields a polymer wherein the D-lactic acid units and the L-lactic acid units are distributed quite regular in the polymer chain, since there could be a reaction by two L-lactic acids units or two D-lactic acids units (head to head reaction) resulting in the sequence -(L-D-D-L-)n or -(D-L-L-D-)n or there can be a reaction of the L-lactic acid unit with a D-lactic acid unit (head to tail reaction) resulting in the sequence -(D-L-D-L)n. This means the average sequence length, also called average block length of L-lactc units and D-lactic units resulting from the ring opening polymerization and neglecting any transesterification reactions is at a minimum <NUM> and at a maximum <NUM>. Random polymerization of meso-lactide yields an average sequence length of the consecutive D- and L-lactic acid units between these limits, i.e. between <NUM> and <NUM>. Additionally, the ratio of D- and L-lactic acid units in the polymers derived from meso-lactide only is close to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The term "units derived from lactic acids", also referred to as "lactic units", means the monomeric lactic acid units derived from L-lactide acid or D-lactic acid.

The term "rac-lactide" means the high-melting material known as racemic-lactide which is formed by melting a mixture of about <NUM>% L-lactide and <NUM>% D-lactide.

The poly(meso-lactide) a1) used in the biodegradable polymer composition has a ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units of at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferable of at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferred of at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, even more preferred the ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM> and in particular preferred the ratio is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The poly(meso-lactide) a1) may be a homopolymer of meso-lactide or a copolymer of at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide, preferably of at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide, more preferred at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide, even more preferred at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide, and in particular preferred at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide. Within these ranges the poly(meso-lactide) a1) is preferably a homopolymer of meso-lactide or a copolymer of at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide, and in particular preferred of at least <NUM>% meso-lactide and up to <NUM>% of another lactide. If it is a copolymer, then the copolymer may be a random and/or block copolymer. The other lactide may be any other lactide including L-lactide, D- lactide, or rac-lactide, or a mixture of any two or more thereof.

The poly(meso-lactide) a1) may further contain repeating units formed from other monomers that are co-polymerizable with meso-lactide or D- or L-lactide, such as alkylene oxides (including ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetramethylene oxide, and the like), cyclic lactones, or carbonates. Repeating units derived from these other monomers can be present in block and/or random arrangements. These other repeating units may constitute up to <NUM>% by weight of the poly(meso-lactide), preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, especially preferred from about <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight, of the PMLA, and may be absent.

According to the invention at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>% of the weight of the PMLA used as component a1) is made up of units derived from lactic acids, wherein the ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferable is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferred is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, even more preferred the ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM> and in particular preferred the ratio is at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Preferably at least <NUM>%, more preferred at least <NUM>% of the weight of the PMLA used as component a1) is made up of lactic units, wherein at least <NUM>% of the lactic units are formed by polymerizing meso-lactide preferably at least <NUM>% of the lactic units are formed by polymerizing meso-lactide , and more preferred at least <NUM>% of the lactide units are formed by polymerizing meso-lactide.

The PMLA may also contain residues of an initiator compound, which is often used during the polymerization process to provide molecular weight control. Suitable such initiators include, for example, water, alcohols, polyhydroxy compounds of various types (such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, other glycol ethers, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, hydroxyl-terminated butadiene polymers, and the like), polycar-boxyl- containing compounds, and compounds having at least one carboxyl and one hydroxyl group (such a lactic acid or lactic acid oligomer). The initiator residue preferably constitutes no more than <NUM>%, and especially no more than <NUM>% of the weight of the PMLA, except in the case in which the initiator is a residue of a lactic acid or lactic acid oligomer, which can constitute any proportion of the PMLA.

The PMLA may have long-chain branches (having <NUM> or more carbon atoms). Long-chain branches can be introduced in the polylactide in various ways, such as by reacting carboxyl groups on the polylactide with epoxide groups that are present on an acrylate polymer or copolymer. The acrylate polymer or copolymer is characterized in being a solid at <NUM>, containing an average of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> free epoxide groups/molecule (such as from about <NUM> to about <NUM> or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> free epoxide groups/molecule), and being a polymerization product of at least one epoxy-functional acrylate or methacrylate monomer, preferably copolymerized with at least one additional monomer. The acrylate polymer or copolymer suitably has a number-average molecular weight per epoxide group of about <NUM> to about <NUM>, such as from <NUM> to <NUM> or from <NUM> to <NUM>/mol. The acrylate polymer or copolymer suitably has a number-average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM>, such as from about <NUM> to <NUM> or from about <NUM> to <NUM>/mol. Other approaches to introducing long-chain branching are described in U. Patent Nos. <CIT> and <CIT>, and in <CIT>.

In preferred embodiments, the PMLA lacks long-chain branches.

The poly(meso-lactide) has a number-average molecular weight of at least <NUM><NUM>/mol, preferably at least <NUM><NUM>/mol, more preferred at least <NUM><NUM>/mol as measured by GPC in THF against a narrow polystyrene standard. Preferably the poly(meso-lactide) has a number-average molecular weight in the range of <NUM><NUM>/mol to <NUM><NUM>, more preferred the number-average molecular weights is in the range of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, even more preferred <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol.

The poly(meso-lactide) may have a relative viscosity of <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>, measured using a <NUM>% wt/vol solution of the poly(meso-lactide) in chloroform against a chloroform standard on a capillary viscometer at <NUM>.

The average block length of L-lactic units and of D-lactic units in the poly(meso-lactide) are usually at least <NUM>, preferably at least <NUM>, more preferred at least <NUM>, even more preferred at least <NUM>, and most preferred at least <NUM>. The upper limit of the average block length of L-lactic units and of D-lactic units in the poly(meso-lactide) is usually up to <NUM>, preferably up to <NUM>, more preferred up to <NUM>, and most preferred up to <NUM>. Usually, the average block length is in the rage of <NUM> to <NUM>, a preferred range of the average block length of L-lactic units and of D-lactic units is at least <NUM> to <NUM>. The average block length can be determined by proton NMR using methods to determine Pm as described by <NPL>, and the following relationship: Average block length = <NUM>+Pm /(<NUM>+(<NUM>-Pm))
A particular preferred poly(meso-lactide) to be used as poly(meso-lactide) a1) in the biodegradable polymer composition is a poly(meso-lactide) having a number-average molecular weight of at least <NUM><NUM>/mol up to <NUM><NUM>/mol, preferably of at least <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol which contains at least <NUM> %, preferably at least <NUM> % of the weight of the PMLA, units derived from lactic acids, wherein ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units is in the range of from at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>, particular preferred the ratio is in the range of at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>: <NUM>, and wherein the poly(meso-lactide) has an average block length of at least <NUM> up to <NUM>, preferably of at least <NUM> up to <NUM>.

Preferably the poly(meso-lactide) has a glass transition temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> measured by DSC at a relative humidity of <NUM> % and a heating rate of <NUM>/min of a <NUM> sample after conditioning the sample by melting at <NUM> followed by a quench to erase heat history and to ensure contact with the pan.

The poly(meso-lactide) is characterized as being an amorphous PLA grade. By an "amorphous grade", it is meant that the PMLA contains no more than <NUM> J/g of crystallites after being heated at <NUM> in air for one hour. The sample is previously heated to at least <NUM> to melt any crystallites and then quenched by rapidly cooling to room temperature (<NUM> ± <NUM>). The quenched sample is then heated at <NUM> for one hour and again quenched by cooling to room temperature. Crystallinity then is conveniently measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods. The amount of such crystallinity is expressed herein in terms of J/g, i.e., the enthalpy of melting, in Joules, of the polylactide crystals in the sample, divided by the weight in grams of polylactide(s) in the sample. A convenient test protocol for making DSC measurements is to heat a <NUM>-<NUM> milligram sample from <NUM> to <NUM> at <NUM>/minute under air, on a Mettler Toledo DSC <NUM>+ calorimeter running STARe V. <NUM> software, or equivalent apparatus.

The poly(meso-lactide) is produced by polymerizing meso-lactide by itself or by copolymerizing a meso-lactide and another lactide in random and/or block fashion. The polymerization can be conducted batch-wise, semi-continuously, or continuously.

The poly(meso-lactide) may contain residual lactide, which is usually formed as side-product during the manufacture of the polylactide. If present, lactide may constitute up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>%, up to <NUM>% or up to <NUM>% of the weight of the poly(meso-lactide).

Further details and information about the preparation of the poly(meso-lactide) to be used as component a1) are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The biodegradable polymer composition comprises <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of the poly(meso-lactide) a1). Preferably the biodegradable polymer composition comprises at least <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, and in particular preferred at least <NUM> wt. -% of the poly(meso-lactide) a1), based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. The maximum concentration of the poly(meso-lactide) a1) in the biodegradable polymer composition is preferably <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred <NUM> wt. -% and in particular preferred <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. Preferred ranges of the poly(meso-lactide) a1) in the biodegradable polymer composition are <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% and even more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition.

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain one or more additional polylactides a2).

The terms "PLA" and "polylactide" as used herein interchangeably mean polylactic acid, which is obtainable by polymerizing of either D-lactide, L-lactide, meso-lactide or mixtures thereof. In case only D- or only L-lactide are polymerized, the resulting polymer chains consist essentially of D- or L-lactic acid units, respectively. In case of polymerizing of a mixture of D- and L-lactide longer sequences of -(D)n and -(L) n are obtained due to the random polymerization of D- and L-lactide. In case the PLA is prepared from D-lactide and L-lactide only, i.e. without mesolac-tide, the minimum block length of the D- and L-lactic units in the polylactide is <NUM> from a theoretical point of view. This would only be the case in a strict alternating reaction of D- and L-lactide. The latter also holds true if mixtures of either L-lactide and a minor amount of meso-lactide or D-lactide with a minor amount of meso-lactide are polymerized. Therefore, the average sequence length of D- or L-lactic acid units in such polylactides differs from the average sequence length of the D- and L-lactic acid units present in poly(meso-lactide) as described in detail below.

In case a polylactide a2) is present in the biodegradable polymer composition the minimum concentration is at least <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e). The composition contains at maximum <NUM> wt. -%, preferably at maximum <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred at maximum <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at maximum <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred maximum <NUM> wt. -% and in particular preferred at maximum <NUM> wt. -% of at least one polylactide a2), based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. Polylactide a2) may also be absent, i.e. have the concentration <NUM> wt.

Polylactide a2) has a number-average molecular weight as measured by GPC in THF against a polystyrene standard of at least <NUM>/mol, preferably at least <NUM><NUM>/mol, more preferred at least <NUM><NUM>/mol and most preferred more than <NUM><NUM>/mol. Preferably, the upper limit of the number-average molecular weight is <NUM><NUM>/mol. Preferably polylactide (a2) has a number-average molecular weight in the range of <NUM><NUM>/mol to <NUM><NUM>, more preferred the number-average molecular weights is in the range of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, even more preferred in the range of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, in particular in the range of <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol.

Polylactide a2) may have a relative viscosity of <NUM> to <NUM>, such as <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>, measured using a <NUM>% wt/vol solution of the polylactic acid in chloroform against a chloroform standard on a capillary viscometer at <NUM>.

Lactic units constitute at least <NUM>%, preferably or at least <NUM>% by weight of polylactide (a2). As with the PMLA, the remaining weight of polylactic acid a2) if any may include residues of an initiator compound and/or repeating units produced by polymerizing one or more monomers different from lactide.

The lactic units in polylactide a2) consist of L-lactic units and D-lactic units in a ratio of above <NUM>:<NUM> or below <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferred in a ratio of at least <NUM>:<NUM> or at most <NUM>:<NUM>. For ratios of > <NUM>:<NUM> this ratio may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>: <NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. For ratios of < <NUM>:<NUM> this ratio may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>: <NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>: <NUM>, or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. It is preferred that the L-lactic units and D-lactic units are arranged randomly.

The polylactide (a2) may be a semi- crystalline grade in which the ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units is <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>: <NUM>, or an amorphous grade in which the ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units is <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The polylactide (a2) may be a homopolymer of L-lactide or a random copolymer of L-lactide with one or more of meso-lactide, D-lactide, and rac- lactide. In the latter case, the proportion of the various lactides is selected to provide a ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units above <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. This ratio may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>: <NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Polylactide a2) is in some embodiments a homopolymer of D-lactide or a random copolymer of D-lactide with one or more of meso-lactide, L-lactide, and rac- lactide. In the latter case, the proportion of the various lactides is selected to provide a ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units below <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. This ratio in some embodiments is <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Polylactide a2) preferably does not include both a polylactide in which the ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units above <NUM>:<NUM> and another polylactide in which the ratio of L-lactic units to D-lactic units is below <NUM>:<NUM>.

The polylactide a2) preferably has an average block length of L-lactic units and/or of D-lactic units above <NUM>.

The other characteristics of polylactide a2), and the manner in which it is manufactured, are as described above with regard to the PMLA and are described in <CIT>.

The use of PLA as polylactide a2) having the following range of properties is particularly preferred:.

Examples of preferred polylactic acids are Ingeo®, 6201D, 6202D, 6252D, 6060D, 3001D, 3052D, 3251D and especially Ingeo® 4060D, 4032D, 4043D or 4044D polylactic acid (from NatureWorks).

Preferably the polylactide a2) is different from the poly(meso-lactide) a1).

The total concentration of poly(meso-lactide) a1) and polylactide a2) in the biodegradable polymer composition is <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably the biodegradable polymer composition contains at least <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, and most preferred at least <NUM> wt. -% , and in particular at least <NUM> wt. -% of the polylactide composition a), based on the total weight of components a) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. The maximum concentration of poly(meso-lactide) a1) and polylactide a2) in the biodegradable polymer composition is <NUM> wt. -%, preferably <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred <NUM> wt. -% and in particular preferred <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. Preferred ranges of the total concentration of the poly(meso-lactide) a1) and the polylactide a2) in the biodegradable polymer composition are <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, and most preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. The weight percentages are based on the total weight of components a1) to e). Depending on the intended use of the polymer composition different composition ranges may be more suited, see below.

Preferably the weight ratio of the poly(meso-lactide) a1) to the polylactide a2) is at least <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferred at least <NUM>:<NUM>, even more preferred at least <NUM>:<NUM>.

The biodegradable polymer composition contains as component b) at least <NUM> wt. -%, preferably at least <NUM> wt. -%, and more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one biodegradable polyester selected from aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and copolymers and mixtures thereof. The maximum concentration of component b) is <NUM> wt. -%, preferably <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> wt. -% and even more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition. Depending on the intended use of the polymer composition different composition ranges may be more suited, see below. Preferably the biodegradable polyester is selected from aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and mixtures of aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and aliphatic polyesters.

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain an aliphatic-aromatic polyester. This aliphatic-aromatic polyester is preferably derived from:.

The aliphatic C<NUM> - C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids and C<NUM> - C<NUM> dicarboxylic acid derivatives b-<NUM>) are preferably selected from C<NUM> - C<NUM>, more preferably from C<NUM> - C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids, their derivatives and mixtures thereof. The derivatives may be the C<NUM> - C<NUM> dialkyl esters or anhydrides. Examples of the C<NUM> - C<NUM> dialkylesters are dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisopropyl, di-n-butyl, diisobutyl, di-tert-butyl, di-n-pentyl, diisopentyl, and di n-hexylesters. Preferred are the C<NUM> -C<NUM> dialkyl esters and in particular preferred are dimethyl esters. An example of anhydrides is succinic acid anhydride. Preferably the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives are selected from succinic acid, <NUM>-ethylsuccinic acid, glutaric acid, <NUM>-methylglutaric acid, <NUM>-methylglutaric acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylglutaric acid, diglycolic acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid, hexadecanedioic acid, octadecanedioic acid, oxaloace-tic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, itaconic acid and maleic acid, their derivatives, in particular the C<NUM> -C<NUM> dialkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. More preferred the aliphatic C<NUM> - C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids are selected from succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-dodecanoic acid, brassylic acid, their derivatives, in particular the C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof, in particular preferred the aliphatic dicarboxylic acids are selected from adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid and brassylic acid, their C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. Succinic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and brassylic acid have the additional advantage of being available from renewable raw materials.

The aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives b-<NUM>) may be selected from mixtures of at least two aliphatic acids or their derivatives, e.g. from mixtures of adipic acid with one or more additional aliphatic acid selected from succinic acid, <NUM>-methylsuccinic acid, glutaric acid, <NUM>-methylglutaric acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, brassylic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-dodecanedioc acid, hexadecanedioic acid, octadecane dioic acid, their anhydrides or their C<NUM> - alkyl esters. Preferred are mixtures of adipic acid and azelaic acid or their C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, mixtures of adipic acid and sebacic acid or their C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, mixtures of succinic acid and sebacic acid or their C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, and mixtures of succinic acid and azelaic acid or their C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters. In case the mixture of the aliphatic acids or their derivatives comprises succinic acid or adipic acid, they are preferably present in amounts of <NUM> to <NUM> mol-%, based on the total amount of the aliphatic acids or their derivatives b-<NUM>).

The concentration of the one or more aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acid or C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acid derivative b-<NUM>) is <NUM> to <NUM> mol %, based on the total weight of components b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>).

The aromatic dicarboxylic acids or aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivatives b-<NUM>) are preferably selected from aromatic and heteroaromatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids, preferably from aromatic and heteroaromatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acids, and their derivatives. Examples of such aromatic and heteroaromatic dicarboxylic acids and derivatives are terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-naphthoic acid and <NUM>,<NUM>-naphthoic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid, their C<NUM>-C<NUM> dialkyl esters, their anhydrides and mixtures thereof. Preferred are the C<NUM>-C<NUM> dialkyl esters, in particular preferred are methyl esters. Examples of the C<NUM>-C<NUM> -dialkylesters are dimethyl, diethyl, di-n-propyl, diisopropyl, di-n-butyl, diisobutyl, di-tert-butyl, di-n-pentyl, diisopentyl, and di-n-hexylesters. Preferably the aromatic dicarboxylic acids or their derivatives are selected from terephthalic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid and their derivatives, in particular their C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl esters, in particular preferred are terephthalic acid and its C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl esters.

The concentration of the aromatic dicarboxylic acid or aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative is <NUM> to <NUM> mol %, based on the total amount of components b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>). In case the aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid derivative is terephthalic acid or a derivative thereof, its concentration in the polyester is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mol. -%, in case the aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid derivative is a furane dicarboxylic acid like <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, its concentration in the polyester is preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mol. -%, based on the total amount of components b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>).

The aliphatic diol b-<NUM>) is selected from aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> diols, preferably from C<NUM>-C<NUM> diols and more preferred from C<NUM>-C<NUM> diols. Examples of suitable aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> diols are <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-pentanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol (neopentyl glycol), <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>-ethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, <NUM>-ethyl-<NUM>-butyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, <NUM>-ethyl-<NUM>-isobutyl-<NUM>,<NUM> propanediol and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol, cyclopentanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-cyclohexanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-cyclohexanedimethanol, <NUM>,<NUM> cyclohexanedimethanol, <NUM>,<NUM>-cyclohexanedimethanol, isosorbide, isoiodide and <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetramethyl-<NUM>,<NUM> cyclobutanediol. Preferred aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> diols are <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, ,<NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol and <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol. It is also possible to use mixtures of different aliphatic diols. Preferably the aliphatic diol b-<NUM>) contains at least <NUM>% by moles of one or more diols selected from <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexanediol and <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol. More preferred the aliphatic diol b-<NUM>) is <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol.

In particular preferred are diols generated from renewable resources like <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol from either direct fermentation (<CIT>) or from the hydrogenation of biobased succinic acid or <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol from fermentation developed by DuPont and Tate & Lyle.

The aliphatic diol b-<NUM>) is present in a concentration of <NUM> to <NUM> mol %, based on the based on the total amount of b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>).

In particular preferred are aliphatic-aromatic polyesters wherein the aliphatic C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acid and its derivative b-<NUM>) are selected from succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, <NUM>,<NUM> dodecanedioic acid, brassylic acid, their derivatives, and mixtures thereof; wherein the aromatic dicarboxylic acid and aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative b-<NUM>) are selected from terephthalic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-furandicarboxylic acid, their derivatives and mixtures thereof; and wherein the diol b-<NUM>) is <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol. The dicarboxylic acid derivatives are preferably the C<NUM> -C<NUM> alkyl esters, in particular the methyl esters.

The biodegradable polyester b) may contain a branching agent as component b-<NUM>), which contains at least three functional groups which are capable of reacting with a diol or a dicarboxylic acid. Examples are at least trihydric alcohols like glycerol, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, polyethertriols and sorbitol or carboxylic acids and hydroxy acids or anhydrides containing three or more groups selected from carboxylic acid groups, carboxylic acid anhydride groups and hydroxy groups like tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid, trimesic acid, trimellitic acid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic and pyromellitic dianhydride, preferred are trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, and glycerol, in particular preferred are trimethylolpropane and glycerol. Component b-<NUM>) can be used to construct biodegradable polyesters having structural viscosity. Melt rheology improves in that the biodegradable polyesters become easier to process, for example easier to pull into self-supporting films/sheets by melt solidification.

The concentration of the at least trifunctional branching agent b-<NUM>) in the biodegradable polyester is <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of components b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>) in the final polyester. In case the at least trifunctional branching agent b-<NUM>) is present in the biodegradable polyester, the concentration is <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, and particular preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of components b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>) in the final polyester.

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain as component b-<NUM>) a chain extender. Chain extenders are polyfunctional and especially difunctional isocyanates, isocyanurates, oxazolines, carboxylic anhydrides, carbodiimides or epoxides.

The term "epoxides" is to be understood as meaning particularly epoxy-containing copolymer based on styrene, acrylic ester and/or methacrylic ester, preferably of the styrene-glycidylether-methylmethacrylate type. The units which bear epoxy groups are preferably glycidyl (meth)acrylates. Copolymers having a glycidyl methacrylate content of greater than <NUM>, more preferably greater than <NUM> and even more preferably greater than <NUM> wt% of the copolymer will be found particularly advantageous. The epoxy equivalent weight (EEW) in these polymers is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> and more preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>/equivalent. The weight-average molecular weight MW of the polymers is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol and particularly in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>/mol. The number average molecular weight Mn of the polymers is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>/mol and particularly in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>/mol. The polydispersity (Q) is generally between <NUM> and <NUM>. Epoxy-containing copolymers of the abovementioned type are commercially available, for example from BASF Resins B. under the Joncryl® ADR brand. Joncryl® ADR <NUM> and ADR <NUM> areparticularly useful as chain extender.

Difunctional isocyanates may be aromatic or aliphatic diisocyanates.

Examples of aromatic diisocyanates are tolylene <NUM>,<NUM>-diisocyanate, tolylene <NUM>,<NUM>-diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, naphthylene <NUM>,<NUM>-diisocyanate or xylylene diisocyanate. Of these, particular preference is given to <NUM>,<NUM>'-, <NUM>,<NUM>'- and also <NUM>,<NUM>'-diphenylmethane diisocyanates. In general, the latter diisocyanates are used as a mixture. The diisocyanates may also comprise minor amounts, for example up to <NUM>% by weight, based on the total weight, of urethione groups, for example for capping the isocyanate groups.

The term "aliphatic diisocyanate" herein refers particularly to linear or branched alkylene diisocyanates or cycloalkylene diisocyanates having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, for example <NUM>,<NUM>-hexamethylene diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>-pentamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate or methylenebis(<NUM>-isocyanatocyclohexane). Particularly preferred aliphatic diisocyanates are isophorone diisocyanate and, in particular, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexamethylene diisocyanate.

The preferred isocyanurates include the aliphatic isocyanurates which derive from alkylene diisocyanates or cycloalkylene diisocyanates having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, for example isophorone diisocyanate or methylenebis(<NUM>-isocyanatocyclohexane). The alkylene diisocyanates here may be either linear or branched. Particular preference is given to isocyanurates based on n hexamethylene diisocyanate, for example cyclic trimers, pen-tamers or higher oligomers of <NUM>,<NUM>-hexamethylene diisocyanate.

<NUM>,<NUM>'-Bisoxazolines are generally obtainable via the process from <NPL>. Particularly preferred bisoxazolines are those in which R1 is a single bond, a (CH2)z alkylene group, where z = <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, such as methylene, <NUM>,<NUM>-ethanediyl, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediyl, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediyl or a phenylene group. Particularly preferred bisoxazolines are <NUM>,<NUM>'-bis(<NUM>-oxazoline), bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)methane, <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)ethane, <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazoli-nyl)propane or <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)butane, in particular <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)benzene, <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)benzene or <NUM>,<NUM>-bis(<NUM>-oxazolinyl)benzene.

Carbodiimides and polymeric carbodiimides are marketed by way of example by Lanxess with trademark Stabaxol® or by Elastogran with trademark Elastostab® or Carbodilite HMV-15CA and Carbodilite HMV-5CA-LC from Nisshinbo Chemical Inc.

Examples are N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>-diisopropylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-o-tolylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-phenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-dioctyldecylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>-dimethylphenylcarbodiimide, N-tolyl-N'-cyclohexylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>-di-tert-butylphenylcarbodiimide, N-tolyl-N'-phenyl-carbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-nitrophenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-aminophenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-hydroxyphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-tolylcarbodiimide, p-phe-nylenebisdi-o-tolylcarbodiimide, p-phenylenebisdicyclohexylcarbodiimide, hexamethylenebis-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, <NUM>,<NUM>'-dicyclohexylmethanecarbodiimide, ethylenebisdiphenylcar-bodiimide, N,N'-benzylcarbodiimide, N-octadecyl-N'-phenylcarbodiimide, N-benzyl-N'-phenylcar-bodiimide, N octadecyl-N'-tolylcarbodiimide, N-cyclohexyl-N'-tolylcarbodiimide, N-phenyl-N'-tolyl-carbodiimide, N-benzyl-N'-tolylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-o-ethylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-ethylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-o-isopropylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-isopropylphenylcar-bodiimide, N,N'-di-o-isobutylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-p-isobutylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>-diethylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>-ethyl-<NUM>-isopropylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>-isobutyl-<NUM>-isopropylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trimethylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triisopropylphenylcarbodiimide, N,N'-di-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triisobutylphenylcarbodiimide, diisopropylcarbodiimide, dimethylcarbodiimide, diisobutylcarbodiimide, dioctylcarbodiimide, tert-butylisopropyl-carbodiimide, di-β-naphthylcarbodiimide, di-tert-butylcarbodiimide, <NUM>,<NUM>- hexamethylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide), <NUM>,<NUM>-octamethylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide), <NUM>,<NUM>-decamethylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide), <NUM>,<NUM> dodecamethylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide), p-phenylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide), poly(cyclooctylene carbodiimide), poly(I,<NUM>-dimethylencyclohexylene carbodiimide), poly(cyclohexylene carbodiimide), poly(ethylene carbodiimide), poly(butylene carbodiimide), poly(isobutylene carbodiimide), poly(nonylene carbodiimide), poly(dodecylene carbodiimide), poly(neopentylene carbodiimide), poly(I,<NUM>-dimethylene phenylene carbodiimide), poly(<NUM>,<NUM>',<NUM>,<NUM>'-tetraisopropyldiphenylene carbodiimide) (Stabaxol® D), poly(<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triisopropyl-I,<NUM>-phenylene carbodiimide) (Stabaxol® P- <NUM>), poly(<NUM>,<NUM> diisopropyl- <NUM>,<NUM>-phenylene carbodiimide) (Stabaxol® P), poly(tolyl carbodiimide), poly(<NUM>,<NUM>'- diphenylmethane carbodiimide), poly(<NUM>,<NUM>'-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>'-biphenylene carbodiimide), poly(p- phenylene carbodiimide), poly(m-phenylene carbodiimide), poly(<NUM>,<NUM>'-dimethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>'- diphenylmethane carbodiimide), poly(naphthylene carbodiimide), poly(isophorone carbodiimide), poly(cumene carbodiimide), and p-phenylene bis(ethylcarbodiimide).

Preferably the chain extender b-<NUM>) is selected from isophorone diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>-hexamethylene diisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>-pentamethylendiisocyanate, <NUM>,<NUM>-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and epoxy-containing copolymers based on styrene, acrylic ester and methacrylic ester, preferably of the styrene-glycidylether-methylmethacrylate type.

The concentration of the chain extender b-<NUM>) is <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of components b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>).

The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the aromatic-aliphatic polyesters used as component b) measured in a Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) solution against narrow polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) standards is generally in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, preferably in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, and more preferred in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, their weight average molecular weight (Mw) is generally in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>, preferably <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, and their Mw/Mn ratio is generally in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>. The viscosity number is between <NUM> and <NUM>/mL and preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>/mL Here and throughout the specification, the viscosity number (VN) is determined according to DIN <NUM>-<NUM>:<NUM>-<NUM> at <NUM> using a solution of the respective polymer in a <NUM>:<NUM> w/w mixture of phenol and <NUM>,<NUM>- dichlorobenzene. The melting point measured at <NUM>% relative humidity at <NUM> by DSC with a heating rate of <NUM> is in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> and preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Polyesters suited for the use in the biodegradable polymer composition generally have a melt volume rate (MVR) to EN ISO <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM> weight) of <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/<NUM> and preferably of <NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/<NUM>.

Examples of biodegradable aliphatic-aromatic polyesters are poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) ("PBST"), poly(butylene-co-adipate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAT"), poly(butylene-co-sebacate-co-terephthalate) ("PBSeT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAzT"), poly(butylene-co- sebacate-co-adipate-co-terephthalate) ("PBSeAT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-adipinate-co-terephthalate), ("PBAzAT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAzST"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-<NUM>,<NUM>-furanoate) ("PBAzF"), and poly(butylene-co-sebacate-co-<NUM>,<NUM>-furanoate) ("PBSeF").

The biodegradable polyester b) may comprise at least one aliphatic polyester derived from:.

The components b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>) of the aliphatic polyester are the same as described above and described as preferred for the aliphatic-aromatic polyester b).

Preferably the aliphatic polyesters are derived from a C<NUM>-C<NUM> dicarboxylic acid b-<NUM>) selected from succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, <NUM>,<NUM>-dodecanedioic acid, and brassylic acid, their derivatives, and mixtures thereof; and the diol b-<NUM>) is <NUM>,<NUM>-butanediol and the C<NUM>-C<NUM> hydroxycarboxylic acid and its derivative b-<NUM>) is selected from glycolic acid, hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxybutanoic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, and caprolactone.

Within this specification, polylactide is not included in the aliphatic polyesters derived from b-<NUM>) and optionally b-<NUM>) and/or b-<NUM>).

Preferred aliphatic polyesters derived from components b-<NUM>), b-<NUM>), and optionally b-<NUM>) and/or b-<NUM>) are poly(butylene-co-succinate) ("PBS"), poly(butylene-co-sebacate) ("PBSe"), poly(butylene-co-azealate) ("PBAz") and poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-adipate) ("PBSA"), in case of PBSA the polyester preferably contains <NUM>-<NUM> mol-% adipic acid, based on the total amount of the acid component. In particular preferred are poly(butylene-co-succinate) and poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-adipate), wherein the PBSA preferably contains <NUM>-<NUM> mol-% adipic acid, based on the total amount of the acid component.

Biodegradable aliphatic and aliphatic-aromatic polyesters as described above are commercially available, e.g. under the tradename ecoflex® by BASF. An example is ecoflex® F Blend C1200, which is a polybutylene(co-adipate-co terephthalate).

Component b-<NUM>) is selected from at least one C<NUM>-C<NUM> aliphatic hydroxy carboxylic acid and C<NUM>-C<NUM> hydroxycarboxylic acid derivative and mixtures thereof. Examples of such aliphatic hydroxy carboxylic acids or their derivatives are glycolic acid, hydroxypropionic acid, hydroxybutanoic acid, hydroxyvaleric acid, hydroxyhexanoic acid, hydroxydecanoic acid, hydroxydodecanoic acid, hydroxyhexadecanoic acid, hydroxyoctadecanoic acid, gamma-butyrolactone and caprolactone.

Preferred biodegradable polyesters derived from component b-<NUM>) and optionally components b-<NUM>) and/or b-<NUM>) are polycaprolactone and polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Polycaprolactone is usually prepared from caprolactone by ring opening polymerization. The molecular weight of the polycaprolactone is generally in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol and preferably in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol determined via GPC in HFIP (hex-afluoro-<NUM>-propanol) as solvent against narrowly distributed PMMA standards.

The polyhydroxyalkanoates may be selected from polyhydroxybutyrates, polyhydroxybutyrate-valerates, polyhydroxybutyrate propanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate-hexanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate-decanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate-dodecanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate-hexadecano-ates, polyhydroxybutyrate-octadecanoates, and poly-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrates.

Poly-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrates are available from Tianan under the name Enmat®. Poly(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-co-<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate)s were first developed by Metabolix. and will be commercialized by CJ CheilJedang. Poly(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-co-<NUM>-hydroxyhexanoate)s are commercially available from Kaneka (Aonilex™) or Danimer Scientific (Nodax®). Poly(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-co-<NUM>-hydroxyhexanoate)s generally have a <NUM>-hydroxyhexanoate content of <NUM> to <NUM> and preferably <NUM> to <NUM> mol% based on the polyhydroxyalkanoate. Preferred are poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyhexanoate)s, in particular poly(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-co-<NUM>-hydroxyhexanoate).

The molecular weight Mw of polyhydroxyalkanoates is generally in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM><NUM>/mol and preferably in the range from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>/mol, mol determined via GPC in HFIP (hexafluoro-<NUM>-propanol) as solvent against narrowly distributed PMMA standards.

Preferably the biodegradable polyester composition contains one or more aliphatic-aromatic polyester or a mixture of one or more aliphatic-aromatic polyester with one or more aliphatic polyester as component b). Particular preference is given to biodegradable polyester compositions containing an aliphatic-aromatic polyester selected from poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) ("PBST"), poly(butylene-co-adipate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAT"), poly(butylene-co-sebacate-co-terephthalate) ("PBSeT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAzT"), poly(butylene-co- sebacate-co-adipate-co-terephthalate) ("PBSeAT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-adipinate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAzAT"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-succinate-co-terephthalate) ("PBAzST"), poly(butylene-co-azelate-co-<NUM>,<NUM>-furanoate) ("PBAzF"), poly(butylene-co-sebacate-co-<NUM>,<NUM>-furanoate) ("PBSeF"), mixtures of two or more of the aforementioned aliphatic-aromatic polyesters, and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned aliphatic-aromatic polyesters with one or more aliphatic polyesters selected from polycaprolactone, poly(butylene-co-succinate), poly(butylene-co-succinate-co-adipate), and poly(<NUM>-hydroxybutyrate-co-<NUM>-hydroxyhexanoate)] as component b).

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain at least one starch polymer c). The term "starch polymer" as used herein means starch itself and polymers derived from starch.

Starch is a natural polymer composed of amylose and amylopectin. Amylose is essentially a linear polymer having a molecular weight in the range of <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>, whereas amylopectin is a highly branched polymer having a molecular weight of up to several million. Although starch is produced in many plants, typical sources include seeds of cereal grains, such as corn, waxy corn, wheat, sorghum, rice, and waxy rice; tubers, such as potatoes; roots, such as tapioca (i.e., cassava and manioc), sweet potato, and arrowroot; and the pith of the sago palm. Broadly speaking, any natural (unmodified) and/or modified starch may be used as component c) in the biodegradable polymer composition. Modified starches, for instance, are often employed that have been chemically modified by typical processes known in the art (e.g., esterification, etherification, oxidation, acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, etc.). Starch ethers and/or esters may be particularly desirable, such as hydroxyalkyl starches, carboxymethyl starches, etc. The hydroxyalkyl group of hydroxylalkyl starches may contain, for instance, <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, in some embodiments from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and in some embodiments, from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Representative hydroxyalkyl starches such as hydroxyethyl starch, hydroxypropyl starch, hydroxybutyl starch, and derivatives thereof. Starch esters, for instance, may be prepared using a wide variety of anhydrides (e.g., acetic, propionic, butyric, and so forth), organic acids, acid chlorides, or other esterification reagents. The degree of esterification may vary as desired, such as from <NUM> to <NUM> ester groups per glucosidic unit of the starch.

Thermoplastic starch contains a plasticizer to help render the starch melt-processible. Starches, for instance, normally exist in the form of granules that have a coating or outer membrane that encapsulates the more water-soluble amylose and amylopectin chains within the interior of the granule. When heated, plasticizers may soften and penetrate the outer membrane and cause the inner starch chains to absorb water and swell. This swelling will, at some point, cause the outer shell to rupture and result in an irreversible destructurization of the starch granule. Once destructurized, the starch polymer chains containing amylose and amylopectin polymers, which are initially compressed within the granules, will stretch out and form a generally disordered intermingling of polymer chains. Upon resolidification, however, the chains may reorient themselves to form crystalline or amorphous solids having varying strengths depending on the orientation of the starch polymer chains. Because the starch is thus capable of melting and resolidifying at certain temperatures, it is generally considered a "thermoplastic starch".

Suitable plasticizers may include, for instance, water, polyhydric alcohol plasticizers, such as sugars (e.g., glucose, sucrose, fructose, raffinose, maltodextrose, galactose, xylose, maltose, lactose, mannose, and erythrose), sugar alcohols (e.g., erythritol, xylitol, malitol, mannitol, and sorbitol), polyols (e.g., ethylene glycol, glycerol, poly glycerol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, and hexane triol), etc. In case the starch grain contains a sufficient high amount of water, it is also possible to use the water present in the starch grain as plasticizer. Also suitable are hydrogen bond forming organic compounds which do not have hydroxyl group, including urea and urea derivatives; anhydrides of sugar alcohols such as sorbitan; animal proteins such as gelatin; vegetable proteins such as sunflower protein, soybean proteins, cotton seed proteins; and mixtures thereof. Other suitable plasticizers may include phthalate esters, dimethyl and diethylsuccinate and related esters, glycerol triacetate, glycerol mono and diacetates, glycerol mono, di, and tripropionates, butanoates, stearates, lactic acid esters, citric acid esters, adipic acid esters, stearic acid esters, oleic acid esters, and other acid esters. Aliphatic acids may also be used, such as copolymers of ethylene and acrylic acid, polyethylene grafted with maleic acid, polybutadiene-co-acrylic acid, polybutadiene-co-maleic acid, polypropylene-co-acrylic acid, polypropylene-co-maleic acid, and other hydrocarbon based acids. A low molecular weight plasticizer is preferred, such as less than about <NUM>,<NUM>/mol, preferably less than about <NUM>,<NUM>/mol and more preferably less than about <NUM>,<NUM>/mol. Preferred plasticizers are water, glycerol, oligo-glycerol, sorbitol and hydrogenated hydrolysed starch syrup (<NPL>).

The relative amount of starches and plasticizers employed in the thermoplastic starch may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the desired molecular weight, the type of starch, the affinity of the plasticizer for the starch, etc. Typically, however, starches constitute from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, in some embodiments from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and in some embodiments, from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the thermoplastic starch. Likewise, plasticizers typically constitute from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, in some embodiments from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. %, and in some embodiments, from about <NUM> wt. % to about <NUM> wt. % of the thermoplastic composition. Depending on the intended use of the polymer composition different composition ranges may be more suited, see below.

The starch polymer c) may be selected from flour, native starch, modified starch, hydrolyzed starch, destructured starch, gelatinized starch, plasticized starch, thermoplastic starch, biofiller comprising complexed starch, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably the starch polymer used as component c) is selected from native starches, more preferably from corn, potato, tapioca, pea, wheat or rice starch and most preferably from native corn or wheat starch, in particular preferred from corn.

Preferably the biodegradable polymer composition contains at least one starch polymer c). In this case the concentration of the starch polymer c) is usually at least <NUM> wt. -%, preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, and in particular preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. The maximum concentration of the starch polymer c) is usually <NUM> wt. -%, preferred <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. Preferred concentration ranges of the starch polymer c) are <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, most preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, and in particular preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition. Depending on the specific field of application of the films prepared from the biodegradable polymer composition, different concentration ranges of the starch polymer c) may be preferred.

The weight of the starch polymer as used herein means the total weight of the starch polymer itself and an optionally present plasticizer but without water.

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain at least one inorganic filler d) selected from salts of alkaline earth metals, silicic acids and their salts, silica gel, silicates, silicon dioxide (quartz), bentonite, graphite, carbon black, iron oxide, kaolin, sodium carbonate, titanium dioxide, wollastonite, mica, bentonite, montmorillonites, and mineral fibers.

Alkaline earth salts include sulfates like gypsum (CaSO<NUM> hydrate) in different forms like natural gypsum, natural anhydrite, gypsum prepared from exhaust gas; halogenides like calcium chloride; carbonates like dolomite (MgCa(CO<NUM>)<NUM>) or chalk (CaCO<NUM>); phosphates like calcium phosphate, e.g. apatite, and monobasic, dibasic and tribasic phosphates of Mg; silicates; and hydrates of the aforementioned salts like talc (Mg<NUM>Si<NUM>O<NUM>(OH)<NUM>) and gypsum.

Preferred inorganic fillers d) are talc and CaCO<NUM>, which can be used alone or in mixture.

In case an inorganic filler d) is present in the biodegradable polymer composition, the concentration of the inorganic filler is at least <NUM> wt. -%, preferably at least <NUM> wt. -% based on the total weight of the polymer composition. The maximum concentration of the inorganic filler is usually <NUM> wt. -%, preferably <NUM> wt. -% and more preferred <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the polymer composition. Depending on the intended use of the polymer composition different composition ranges may be more suited, see below.

Calcium carbonate may be used for example at <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt% and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the polymer composition. Calcium carbonate from Omya will prove suitable inter alia. The average particle size of calcium carbonate measured with a Malvern Mastersizer X is generally in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometers, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> micrometers.

Talc may be used for example at <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt% and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the polymer composition. Talc from Mondo Minerals will be found suitable inter alia. The average particle size of talc is generally <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably <NUM>-<NUM> and more preferably <NUM>-<NUM> micrometers when measured with a Sedi-graph 51XX.

The biodegradable polymer composition may contain one or more further additives selected from cross-linking agents, lubricants, chain extenders, stabilizers, nucleating agents, slip and release agents, surfactants, waxes, antistatic agents, antifoggants, anti-block agents, dyes, pigments, UV absorbers, UV stabilizers and other plastics additives as component e).

Examples of branching agents and chain extenders are the compounds listed under b-<NUM>) and b-<NUM>), preferred branching agents and chain extenders are epoxy-containing copolymer based on styrene, acrylic ester and methacrylic ester, preferably of the styrene-glycidylether-methylmethacrylate type, and carbobdiimides, in particular preferred are epoxy-containing copolymer based on styrene, acrylic ester and methacrylic ester, preferably of the styrene-glycidylether-methylmethacrylate type. Preferably the biodegradable polymer composition contains <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% by weight, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition, of an epoxy-containing copolymer based on styrene, acrylic ester and/or methacrylic ester. Epoxy-containing copolymers of the abovementioned type are commercially available, for example from BASF Resins B. under the Joncryl® ADR brand. Joncryl® ADR <NUM> and Joncryl® ADR <NUM> are particularly suitable.

Examples of slip and release agents are C<NUM>-C<NUM>-carboxamide such as stearamide, oleamide, erucamide and behenamide, and stearates like calcium stearate. Preferably the biodegradable polymer composition contains <NUM> wt. -% to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition, of a C<NUM>-C<NUM>-carboxamide, preferably selected from stearamide, erucamide, and behenamide or mixtures thereof.

Examples of surfactants are polysorbates, palmitates and laurates.

Examples of UV absorbers are <NUM>-(<NUM>,<NUM>-bis-biphenyl-<NUM>-yl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-triazin-<NUM>-yl)-<NUM>-(<NUM>-ethyl-(n)-hex-yloxy)phenol and carbon black. Preparation and properties of said UV absorber are known from <CIT>.

Component e) is generally employed in concentrations of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably in in concentrations of <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -% and in particular preferred <NUM> to <NUM> wt. -%, based on the total weight of the components a1) to e) of the biodegradable polymer composition.

In case the biodegradable polymer composition does not contain a starch polymer c) the composition usually contains at least <NUM> wt. -%, preferably at least <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, even more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -%, and most preferred at least <NUM> wt. -% and usually up to <NUM> wt. -%, preferably up to <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred up to <NUM> wt. -%, and in particular preferred up to <NUM> wt. -%components a1) and a2) and usually at least <NUM> wt. -%, preferably at least <NUM> wt. -%, more preferred at least <NUM> wt. -% and in particular preferred at least <NUM> wt. -% of at least one biodegradable aliphatic or aliphatic-aromatic polyester b) and up to <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -%, <NUM> wt. -% <NUM> wt. -% of at least one biodegradable aliphatic or aliphatic-aromatic polyester b), based on the total weight of components a1) to e). Such biodegradable polymer compositions may contain.

In case the biodegradable polymer composition contains at least one starch polymer c) the biodegradable polymer composition may contain.

A preferred biodegradable polymer composition contains.

This biodegradable polymer composition is particularly suited for the preparation of mulch films. Mulch films benefit from a higher value of the elongation at maximum tensile strength in machine direction, since this facilitates the application of the mulch film on the fields.

Another preferred biodegradable polymer composition contains.

This biodegradable polymer composition is particularly suited for the preparation of thin films, e.g. <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer, which are widely used for carrier bags like shopping bags and for bags for fruits and vegetables and for waste bags, in particular organic waste bags. Such bags having a sufficiently high tear resistance in transversal direction are preferred.

This biodegradable polymer composition is particularly suited for as cling film which require outstanding transparency and high tear resistance values.

Another object of the present invention is the use of the biodegradable polymer composition as described herein for manufacture of films and films comprising the biodegradable polymer composition as described. Such films may be produced by the processes known by person skilled in the art, e.g. by mono- or multilayer blown-film extrusion or mono- or multilayer flat-film extrusion. Additionally, they might be stretched either mono- or biaxially in order to improve their mechanical properties and transparency even further.

The biodegradable polymer composition can be used for the production of packaging, e.g. carrier bags like shopping bags, fruit and vegetable bags, cling films, but also for waste bags, in particular organic waste bags. It can also be used for the production of films used in agriculture like mulch films. Another object of the present invention is packaging comprising a film comprising the biodegradable polymer composition as described herein, e.g. carrier bags like shopping bags and bags for fruits and vegetables and waste bags, in particular organic waste bags. A further object of the present invention are mulch films comprising a film comprising the biodegradable polymer composition as described herein.

The films comprising the biodegradable polymer composition may consist of one layer (also called monolayer film) or may comprise two, three or more layers (also called multilayer films). Such multilayer film may comprise one or more layers of the same biodegradable polymer composition or more than one layer of different biodegradable polymer compositions as described above. The multilayer films may also comprise additional layers prepared from polymers or polymer composition different from the biodegradable polymer composition described above. an additional layer may be made by an aliphatic or aliphatic-aromatic polyester as described above as component b). Examples of such two- and three layer films are films having the following layer sequences, wherein A and A' denote different biodegradable polymer compositions as described above and B denotes a polymer composition different from the biodegradable polymer compositions according to the invention: A/B, A/B/A, B/A/B, A/A', A/A'/A, A/B/A', and A/A'/B.

The films have preferably a thickness in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer, preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer. Films to be used as bags, e.g. as thin carrier bags or bags for fruits and vegetables preferably have a film thickness in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer. For thin carrier bags the film thickness is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer, for bags for fruits and vegetables the film thickness is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer. In case the film is intended to be used as mulch film, the film thickness is preferably in the range from <NUM> to <NUM> micrometer.

For the purposes of the present invention, the feature "biodegradable" for a substance or a mixture of substances is fulfilled if this substance or the mixture of substances according to DIN EN <NUM> has a percentage degree of biodegradation of at least <NUM>% after <NUM> days.

In the following the invention is described by examples which are to be interpreted merely as a descriptive enclosure which in no way has any limiting effect at all.

All polylactides B1 to B5 contained ≥ <NUM> % polylactide.

The relative viscosity of the poly lactides or poly (meso lactides) are measured using a <NUM>% wt/vol solution of the polylactide resin in chloroform (prepared at <NUM> for <NUM> hours) against a chloroform standard on a capillary viscometer Viscotec Y501 at <NUM>.

Determination of molecular weight of poly(meso lactides) by Gel Permeation Chromatography: The molecular weight of the poly (meso lactides) was measured by GPC using THF as solvent against narrow polystyrene standards. <NUM> of PLA sample were dissolved in <NUM> of dichloromethane and shaken until dissolved. <NUM> of the solution were pipetted into a <NUM> vial and <NUM> of THF were added in order to adjust the concentration to <NUM> % wt. <NUM> microliter of the solution were injected into the GPC using THF in isocratic mode at <NUM> / min flow rate. Detection was performed using a RI detector.

The glass transition temperature of the poly (meso lactides) was measured after conditioning the polymer at <NUM> and <NUM> % relative humidity by differential scanning calorimetry at a temperature ramping rate of <NUM>/minute. For conditioning about <NUM> of the sample in a <NUM>µL aluminium sample pan and lid were melted at <NUM>, followed by a quench to erase heat history and to ensure contact with the pan. The measurement was done with a Mettler DSC <NUM>+. The midpoint of the transition slope was taken as the glass transition temperature.

<NUM> of the polylactide or poly(meso-lactide) samples were stirred at <NUM> for <NUM> in <NUM> of a <NUM> molar methanolic KOH solution. <NUM> concentrated sulfuric acid were carefully added in order to lower the pH into the acidic pH region and esterification with methanol was conducted for <NUM> at <NUM>. To <NUM> of the obtained solution <NUM> of water and <NUM> of dichloromethane were added and the organic phase are separated after mixing. The dichloromethane phase was analyzed by chiral GC using an Agilent CycloSil-B chiral capillary GC column which contained <NUM>% loading of b-cyclodextrin derivative embedded in DB-<NUM> mid polarity stationary phase. Methyl lactate enantiomers elute under isothermal conditions and the ratio was directly calculated from the peak areas since both enantiomers exhibit the same response factors.

Compositions were prepared according to the concentrations shown in Table <NUM>. The concentrations are given in wt. -%, based on the total weight of the composition. IE means inventive example, CE means comparative example.

The blends were produced on a co-rotating twin screw extruder Coperion ZSK <NUM> MC having <NUM> barrels and a length L = 44D. All raw materials were dosed using individual gravimetric feeders. Granules A, B and C were fed to the cold zone <NUM> of the extruder and subsequently melted. The powdered mineral fillers were fed into the melt using a side feeder, subsequently mixed with the melt and homogenized. The melt was formed into strands at the die head, cooled in a water bath and granulated. The granules were dried until they reached a water content of less than <NUM> ppm.

The granules were fed into a <NUM> single screw extruder having a length of 25D and extruded through a spiral mandrel distributer from company Reifenhäuser having a die gap of <NUM>, a die diameter of <NUM> and a cooling ring. The blow-up ratio of the film was adjusted to <NUM> which corresponds to a lay flat width of <NUM>.

The residual moisture was determined by Karl-Fischer-Titration using a Mettler-Toledo InMotion KF PRO Oven Autosampler at <NUM> heating temperature.

The melt volume rate (MVR) was measured according to EN ISO <NUM> at the specified temperatures and weights and are listed in cm<NUM> / <NUM>.

The film thickness was measured with a digital thickness gauge from Mitutoyo (resolution <NUM>,<NUM>) at several spots of the film and the average value rounded to the next micron is reported.

The tear resistance of the films was determined according to EN ISO <NUM>-<NUM>:<NUM> using a Pro-Tear® Electronic Elmendorf Tear Tester from Thwing-Albert Instrument Company and constant-radius film samples (<NUM> tear length) under norm conditions (<NUM>, <NUM>% relative humidity).

The E-Modulus, maximum tensile strength and elongation at maximum tensile strength were obtained from the blown films according to ISO <NUM>-<NUM>:<NUM> under norm conditions (<NUM>, <NUM>% relative humidity). For each value <NUM> specimen type <NUM> with a width of <NUM> and a length of <NUM> were measured. The initial distance between the grips was <NUM>. The value for the E-Modulus was obtained at a test speed of <NUM>/min. The other parameters were obtained at a test speed of <NUM>/min.

The values for the total light transmittance, Haze (all measured according to ASTM D1003 -<NUM>) and clarity were measured using a Haze-Gard Plus instrument from BYK-Gardner GmbH. The lower the Haze values the better whereas for clarity it is the opposite.

The results of the mechanical testing and the optical parameters are shown in Table <NUM>.

Examples IE <NUM>, IE <NUM> and CE <NUM> to CE <NUM> show that the use of poly(meso-lactide) in a composition containing no fillers leads to distinct higher values of the tear resistance in transversal direction and also to a reversion of the values of the tear resistance in machine direction and transversal direction. The films containing poly(meso-lactide) have a higher tear resistance in transversal direction at a concentration of <NUM> wt. -% and even <NUM> wt. In contrast, the commonly used PLA composed of at least <NUM> % L-lactic units and <NUM>-<NUM> % D-lactic units shows already at a concentration of <NUM> wt. -% lower values for the tear resistance in transversal direction as well as at <NUM> wt. Additionally, the elongation at maximum tensile strength in machine direction does not decrease by doubling the content of the poly(meso-lactide), whereas the films containing commonly used PLA instead of the poly(meso-lactide) show a significant decrease. The same effects occur with the films of IE <NUM> and CE <NUM> and CE <NUM>, which additionally contain a mineral filler. It can also be noticed that adding an inorganic filler increases the values of the tear resistance both in machine direction and transversal direction.

Furthermore, the film containing the poly (meso lactide) has a significantly improved transparency compared to films using the common PLA. This is proven by the lower Haze value of IE <NUM> when compared to CE <NUM> and CE <NUM> and also the higher clarity of IE <NUM> compared to CE <NUM> and CE <NUM>.

The compounds A1, A2, B1 to B5 and C1 are the same as described above. Additional compounds used for the starch containing compositions were.

Compositions were prepared according to the concentrations shown in Table <NUM>. The concentrations are given in wt. -%, based on the amounts of compounds A1 to C2 plus the TPS in the dry composition, i.e. the combined weight of the starch D and the plasticizer E without the water initially present in starch D and plasticizer E before feeding into the extruder. IE means inventive example, CE means comparative example. TPS means thermoplastic starch which was produced during the extrusion process from D and E.

The blends containing starch were produced according to the procedure described in <CIT> using a co-rotating twin screw extruder Coperion ZSK <NUM> MC<NUM> with a diameter of <NUM> and <NUM> x 4D barrels resulting in a total length of L = 60D. The specific torque of the extruder was <NUM>/cm<NUM>.

All components were dosed using separate gravimetric feeders or pumps. The starch D was dosed into barrel <NUM> and the liquid plasticizer E into barrel <NUM>. All other components were dosed into barrel <NUM> by means of a side feeder ZS-B from Coperion and were subsequently melted, plasticized and homogenized. After the water and other volatiles were removed the granulation of the melt was performed using an underwater pelletizing equipment. The water content was below <NUM> % in all cases and no subsequent drying was necessary.

The films were formed using the same film blowing machine described previously. Temperature profile [°C]: water cooled-<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>-afterwards all <NUM> (from flange until die).

The film thickness for starch containing films was calculated from their known density (<NUM>/cm<NUM> at <NUM>% thermoplastic starch content, <NUM>/cm<NUM> at <NUM>% thermoplastic starch content) and the weight of an exactly <NUM><NUM> big film piece in analogy to the method described for polyethylene in Annex <NUM> of ASTM E252- <NUM>. The thickness was rounded to the next micron.

The tear resistance of the blown films and the mechanical values from the tensile testing were determined as described previously for the blends without starch.

The mechanical testing was carried out as described above. The results of the mechanical testing are shown in Table <NUM>.

CE <NUM> is a blend made from a composition containing no PLA. It can be seen that the addition of common PLA in the comparative examples increases the E-modulus in both directions, decreases the elongation at maximum tensile strength in machine direction and decreases the tear resistance in transversal direction. The effects are even more pronounced at higher common PLA content.

Claim 1:
Biodegradable polymer composition containing
a1) <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one poly(meso-lactide) having a number-average molecular weight of at least <NUM><NUM>/mol, and a ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units of at least <NUM>:<NUM> up to <NUM>:<NUM>;
a2) <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e), of at least one polylactide a2) having a ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units above <NUM>:<NUM> or below <NUM>:<NUM> and wherein the sum of poly(meso-lactide) a1) and polylactide a2) is at maximum <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e);
b) <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one biodegradable polyester selected from aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic-aromatic polyesters and copolymers and mixtures thereof;
c) <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one starch polymer;
d) <NUM> to <NUM> wt.-%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one inorganic filler; and
e) <NUM> to <NUM> wt%, based on the total weight of components a1) to e) of the polymer composition, of at least one compound selected from cross-linking agents, lubricants, chain extenders, stabilizers, nucleating agents, slip and release agents, surfactants, waxes, antistatic agents, antifoggants, dyes, pigments, UV absorbers, UV stabilizers and other plastics additives; wherein the number-average molecular weight of the poly(meso-lactide) and the ratio of L-lactic units : D-lactic units were determined as indicated in the description.