Patent ID: 8901243

Claim:
An aliphatic-aromatic copolyester reaction product in which a polymer is formed comprising: (a) a dihydric alcohol group, which is a residue of a dihydric alcohol, selected from the group consisting of an ethylene glycol group, 1,2-propylene glycol group, 1,3-propylene glycol group, 1,2-butanediol group, 2,3-butanediol group, 1,4-butanediol group, tetramethyl cyclobutanediol, isosorbide groups, 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol groups, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol groups, hexylene glycol groups, bio-derived diol groups, and combinations thereof; (b) an aromatic dicarboxylic acid group that is derived from a depolymerized aromatic polyester component selected from poly(ethylene terephthalate) homopolymers and copolymers, poly(butylene terephthalate) homopolymers and copolymers, poly(trimethylene terephthalate) homopolymers and copolymers, and combinations thereof; and (c) from 23 to less than 43 mole % based on the copolyester of bio-based succinic acid groups; wherein the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester further comprises a titanium catalyst and a residue from the aromatic polyester component, wherein the residue is selected from the group consisting of an isophthalic acid group, antimony-containing compounds, germanium-containing compounds, cobalt-containing compounds, tin, tin-containing compounds, titanium, titanium-containing compounds, aluminum, aluminum salts, alkaline salts, alkaline earth metal salts, phosphorus-containing compounds, sulfur-containing compounds, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid groups, epoxies, and combinations thereof; and wherein the aliphatic-aromatic copolyester has: a bio-based carbon content from 17 to less than 41 weight %, based on total carbon according to ASTM D6866, a T g that is at least −32 to 0° C., a T m from 80 to 120° C., and a storage modulus at 25° C. from 90 MPa to 116 MPa.