WO2025252807A1

WO2025252807A1 - Polypropylene composition for automotive applications

Info

Publication number: WO2025252807A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/065483
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jingbo Wang; Markus Gahleitner; Klaus Bernreitner; Anna Hartl; Daniela MILEVA; Markus Gall
Original assignee: Borealis GmbH
Current assignee: Borealis GmbH
Priority date: 2024-06-06
Filing date: 2025-06-04
Publication date: 2025-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-06

Abstract

The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition (PC) being a mixed-plastic polypropylene blend containing recycled material, to articles comprising said polypropylene composition (PC) and to the use of said polypropylene composition (PC) for the production of an injection-moulded article.

Description

Polypropylene composition for automotive applications

Technical background

Compositions suitable for the automotive industry typically contain one or more heterophasic polypropylene copolymer(s), and/or random heterophasic copolymers, and conventionally some inorganic filler.

There are two trends in the automotive industry:

- Weight reduction demanding thin-wall constructions and the need to keep mineral reinforcements at a low level.

- Use of post-industrial and even post-consumer recyclate material of lower MFR and limited impact strength, requiring a boost by other components in the final composition.

Unpublished (at the filing date of this application) applications PCT/EP2024/065580 and PCT/EP2024/065639 relate to polypropylene compositions for automotive interior and exterior applications, which include a specific post-consumer recyclate originating from automotive origins, which can be identified by inclusions attributed to automotive paints together.

It has surprisingly been found that polypropylene compositions which include a specific post-consumer recyclate which origins from automotive origins and a propylene polymer which has been polymerized in the presence of a single site catalyst shown an improved balance of properties compared to polypropylene compositions which instead comprise a propylene polymer which has been polymerized in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The polypropylene compositions according to the present invention thereby differ from the comparative polypropylene compositions in a lower soluble fraction and show an improved balance of properties in regard of improved impact properties at comparable or slightly lower stiffness. Injection moulded articles comprising the polypropylene compositions according to the present inventions further show an improved scratch resistance, so that these articles are especially suitable for automotive interior applications. Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed, in its broadest sense, to a polypropylene composition (PC) being a mixed-plastic polypropylene blend, wherein the polypropylene composition (PC) comprises: inclusions attributed to automotive paints, determined on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography; and a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, preferably from 7.5 to 27.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 10.0 to 25.0 wt.-%; wherein the polymeric part of said polypropylene composition (PC) has i. an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) method by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 10.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 12.5 to 32.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-% ii. a soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), in the range from 10.0 to 31 .0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 20.0 to 28.0 wt.-%; said soluble fraction (SF) having an intrinsic viscosity (iV(SF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range of from 1 .00 to less than 1 .80 dL/g, more preferably from 1 .15 to 1 .75 dL/g, most preferably from 1 .25 to 1 .70 dL/g; and an ethylene content (C2(SF)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 50.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably from 52.5 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 54.0 to 70.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 55.0 to 65.0 wt.-%, iii. a crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range of from 69.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 70.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 72.0 to 78.0 wt.-%, and said crystalline fraction (CF) having an ethylene content (C2(CF)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range of from 2.5 to 15.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 3.5 to 12.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 4.5 to 10.0 wt.-%; with both the soluble fraction (SF) content and the crystalline fraction (CF) content expressed as a wt.-% relative to the total weight of the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC), wherein the polypropylene composition (PC) has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 50.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 7.5 to 45 g/10 min, mot preferably from 10.0 to 40 g/10 min.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a polypropylene composition (PC) comprising

(A) 20.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably 25.0 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably 30.0 to 65.0 wt.- %, most preferably 35.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of a mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend;

(B) 5.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, preferably 10.0 to 55.0 wt.-%, more preferably 15.0 to 50.0 wt.- %, most preferably 20.0 to 45.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of a propylene polymer;

(C) 1 .0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 2.0 to 12.5 wt.-%, more preferably 3.0 to 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 4.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of an ethylene-based plastomer; and

(D) 0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 0 to 12.5 wt.-%, more preferably 0 to 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 0 to 8.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of talc;

(E) 0.1 to 10.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.3 to 8.5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of additives, wherein the mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A), the propylene polymer (B), the ethylene-based plastomer (C), the talc (D) and the additives (E) make up together 90 to 100 wt.-% of the total polypropylene composition (PC), wherein further the mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A) originates from end-of life vehicle (ELV) recycled feedstock, more preferably from shredded bumpers, and has

• a ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene (PP/PE) of from 1 .5:1 .0 to 9.0:1 .0, preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 7.0:1 .0, more preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 5.0:1 .0; • a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 6.0 to 27.5 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 7.5 to 25.0 g/10 min; and

• a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from more than 3.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, preferably from 3.5 to 40.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 5.0 to 35.0 wt.-%; the propylene polymer (B) has

• 2,1 regiodefects, determined by ¹³C-NMR, in the range from 0.05 to 1 .25 mol-%, preferably from 0.10 to 1 .00 mol-%, more preferably from 0.20 to 0.90 mol.-%,

• a melting temperature, determined by DSC according to ISO 113571 part 3 /method C2 in a heat I cool I heat cycle with a scan rate of 10 °C/min in the temperature range of -30 to +225°C, of from 145 to 157°C, preferably from 150 to 156°C, more preferably from 152 to 155°C; and

• a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 20 to 3000 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 35 to 2500 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 50 to 2000 g/10 min; the plastomer (C) being an ethylene 1 -octene copolymer or an ethylene 1 -butene copolymer having a density measured according to ISO 1183-1 in the range from 850 to 890 kg/m³, preferably from 855 to 870 kg/m³, more preferably from 857 to 867 kg/m³, most preferably from 860 to 865 kg/m³; and the polypropylene composition (PC) has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 50.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 7.5 to 45 g/10 min, mot preferably from 10.0 to 40 g/10 min.

In a third aspect the present invention relates to an article, preferably an injection- moulded article, comprising the polypropylene composition (PC) as described above or below in an amount of at least 95 wt.-%, more preferably at least 98 wt.-%, most preferably at least 99 wt.-%.

In a fourth aspect the present invention relates to the use of a polypropylene composition (PC) as described above or below for the production of an injection- moulded article, preferably an injection-moulded automotive article, still more preferably an injection-moulded automotive interior article.

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although, any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in practice for testing of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

Unless clearly indicated otherwise, use of the terms “a,” “an,” and the like refers to one or more.

In the following, amounts are given in % by weight (wt.-%) unless it is stated otherwise.

A propylene homopolymer is a polymer that essentially consists of propylene monomer units. Due to impurities especially during commercial polymerization processes, a propylene homopolymer can comprise up to 0.1 mol% comonomer units, preferably up to 0.05 mol% comonomer units and most preferably up to 0.01 mol% comonomer units.

A propylene copolymer is a copolymer of propylene monomer units and comonomer units, preferably selected from ethylene and C4-C8 alpha-olefins. A propylene random copolymer is a propylene copolymer wherein the comonomer units are randomly distributed along the polymer chain, whilst a propylene block copolymer comprises blocks of propylene monomer units and blocks of comonomer units. Propylene random copolymers can comprise comonomer units from one or more comonomers different in their amounts of carbon atoms.

The heterophasic propylene copolymers typically comprise: a) a crystalline propylene homopolymer or copolymer matrix (M); and b) an elastomeric rubber, preferably a propylene-ethylene copolymer (E); A polypropylene means a polymer being composed of units derived from propylene in an amount of more than 50 mol-%.

A polyethylene means a polymer being composed of units derived from ethylene in an amount of more than 50 mol-%.

The term “elastomer” denotes a natural or synthetic polymer having elastic properties. The term “plastomer” denotes a natural or synthetic polymer, which combines qualities of elastomers and plastics, such as rubber-like properties with the processing ability of plastic. An ethylene based plastomer means a plastomer being composed of units derived from ethylene in an amount of more than 50 mol-%.

For the purposes of the present description and of the subsequent claims, the term “recycled waste” is used to indicate a material recovered from post-consumer waste only, as opposed to virgin polymers and material recovered from post industrial waste. Post-consumer waste refers to objects having completed at least a first use cycle (or life cycle), i.e. having already served their first purpose; while post-industrial waste refers to manufacturing scrap, which does not normally reach a consumer. The term “recycled waste” is especially used for mixed-plastics waste collected from end-of live (ELV) vehicles, especially from end-of-life (ELV) car bumpers.

The term “virgin” denotes the newly produced materials and/or objects prior to their first use, which have not already been recycled. In case that the origin of the polymer is not explicitly mentioned the polymer is a “virgin” polymer. Said term does not exclude the possibility of a material having been polymerized from one or more monomer(s) being at least partially based on a chemical recycling process, like a pyrolysis process.

The term “recycled material” such as used herein denotes materials reprocessed from “recycled waste”.

A polymer blend denotes a mixture of two or more polymeric components. In general, the blend can be prepared by mixing the two or more polymeric components. Suitable mixing procedures known in the art are post-polymerization blending procedures. Post-polymerization blending can be dry blending of polymeric components such as polymer powders and/or compounded polymer pellets or melt blending by melt mixing the polymeric components.

A mixed-plastic polypropylene blend indicates that the blend predominantly comprises polypropylene; however, small amounts of other plastic are present. A mixed-plastic polypropylene blend can origin from recycled polymeric materials and optionally virgin polymeric materials.

A mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend indicates a blend originating from recycling feedstock, which predominantly comprises polypropylene; however, small amounts of other plastic are present. In the present invention a mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend is preferably used, which results from post-consumer waste from very special sources, which is characterized by the presence of inclusions attributed to automotive paints, preferably post-consumer waste from end-of-live (ELV) vehicles, more preferably from end-of-life (ELV) car bumpers. The presence of such mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blends can be identified in a polypropylene composition by identifying inclusions attributed to automotive paints e.g. by means of IR spectroscopy in the polypropylene composition.

The term “inclusions attributed to automotive paints” means particles, which comprise chemical components, which originate from automotive paints, such as styrene-based components, urethane-based components and/or acrylic-based components. Said components in the polypropylene composition usually originate from paint residuals in the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) contained in the polypropylene composition (PC). The inclusions are usually identified by optical microscopy on compressed films of the polypropylene composition and are identified as “inclusions attributed to automotive paints” by characterizing their chemical composition and their physical information. The chemical composition of said inclusions can be determined by IR spectroscopy. Thereby, the IR spectra show characteristic bands which can be attributed to styrene-based components and/or urethane-based components and/or acrylic based components, such as e.g. at 700 cm^-1 and 760 cm^-1, which indicate styrene modifications, at 3380 cm^-1, which indicates OH, NH stretching of acrylate or urethane, and/or at 1700 cm^-1, which indicates C=O stretching of acrylate or urethane. The shape and other physical information of the particles can be characterized by computed tomography. The inclusions usually show a sharp edged and platelet-like 3D shape, usually with a multilayer structure, and a grey value, which is at least 50 % higher compared to the average grey value of the surrounding polypropylene composition and therefore differentiates from other inclusions such as pigment particles or talc particles, which have a rounder 3D shape or have smooth edges or show grey values below the threshold of at least 50 % higher compared to the average grey value of the surrounding polypropylene composition. The measurement method is described in the example section. Said inclusions are specific to post-consumer waste from very special sources, such as post-consumer waste from end-of-live (ELV) vehicles, more preferably from end-of-life (ELV) car bumpers, and are not found in other sorts of postconsumer waste e.g. from household waste.

The present invention will now be described in more detail.

Detailed Description

Polypropylene composition (PC)

The present invention is directed, in a first aspect, to a polypropylene composition (PC) being a mixed-plastic polypropylene blend.

In said aspect the polypropylene composition (PC) is characterized by the presence of inclusions attributed to automotive paints. Said inclusions are determined in the example section on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography.

The polypropylene composition (PC) further has a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, preferably from 7.5 to 27.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 10.0 to 25.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) may be characterized according to the crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) method using trichlorobenzene (TCB) as a solvent. This method is described below in the determination methods section. The crystalline fraction (CF) contains for the most part the matrix phase and only a small part of the elastomeric phase and the soluble fraction (SF) contains for the most part the elastomeric phase and only a small part of the matrix phase. In some cases, this method results in more useful data, since the crystalline fraction (CF) and the soluble fraction (SF) more accurately correspond to the matrix and elastomeric phases respectively. Due to the differences in the separation methods of xylene extraction and crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) method the properties of XCS/XCI fractions on the one hand and crystalline/soluble (CF/SF) fractions on the other hand are not exactly the same, meaning that the amounts of matrix phase and elastomeric phase can differ as well as the properties.

Generally, the crystalline fraction (CF) content and the soluble (SF) content of a composition only relate to its polymeric components, i.e. without other components, which are insoluble and therefore not part of the dissolution and crystallization cycles as described below in the determination method, such as the inorganic filler (F).

The crystalline fraction (CF) content and the soluble (SF) content therefore are based on the weight amount of the polymeric components of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) has an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 10.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 12.5 to 32.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .15 to 1 .85 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 1 .75 dL/g.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) has a soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 10.0 to 31 .0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 20.0 to 28.0 wt.-%.

Said soluble fraction (SF) has an ethylene content (C2(SF)) determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 50.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably from 52.5 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 54.0 to 70.0 wt.- %, most preferably from 55.0 to 65.0 wt.-%.

Said soluble fraction (SF) also has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(SF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 1 .00 to less than 1 .80 dL/g, more preferably from 1 .15 to 1 .75 dL/g, most preferably from 1 .25 to 1 .70 dL/g.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) has a crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 69.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 70.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 72.0 to 78.0 wt.-%.

Said crystalline fraction (CF) has an ethylene content (C2(CF)) determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 2.5 to 15.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 3.5 to 12.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 4.5 to 10.0 wt.- %.

Said crystalline fraction (CF) preferably also has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(CF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 0.90 to 2.10 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .10 to 1.90 dL/g.

The ratio of the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fraction to the intrinsic viscosity of the crystalline fraction (iV(SF)/iV(CF)) preferably is in the range of from 0.90 to 2.00, more preferably from 1 .00 to 1 .75, most preferably from 1 .05 to 1 .50.

The ratio of the ethylene content of the soluble fraction to the ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(SF)/C2(CF)) preferably is in the range of from 5.0 to 15.0, more preferably from 7.5 to 12.5, most preferably from 8.5 to 11 .5.

The polypropylene composition (PC) preferably comprises

(E) 0.1 to 10.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.3 to 8.5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of additives.

The total contents of components (A), (B), (C), (E) and optionally (D) preferably add up to at least 95 wt.-%, more preferably at least 98 wt.-%, most preferably 100 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

These components are typically analyzable from the resulting polypropylene composition (PC).

The polypropylene composition (PC) is preferably obtainable, more preferably obtained by melt-blending at least components (A), (B), (C), (E) and optionally (D).

The properties of each of these components are given in the respective sections below.

The blending of the polypropylene composition (PC) may be carried out according to a process comprising the steps of: a) providing the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A), the propylene polymer (B) the ethylene-based plastomer (C), additives (E), and the optional talc (D); b) blending and extruding the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A), the propylene polymer (B), the ethylene-based plastomer (C), additives (E), and the optional talc (D) at a temperature in the range from 120 to 250 °C in an extruder, preferably a twin-screw extruder, thereby generating the polypropylene composition (PC), preferably in pellet form. In particular, it is preferred to use a conventional compounding or blending apparatus, e.g. a Banbury mixer, a 2-roll rubber mill, Buss-co-kneader or a twin-screw extruder. More preferably, mixing is accomplished in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The polymer materials recovered from the extruder are usually in the form of pellets.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a polypropylene composition (PC) comprising

The properties of each of these components are given in the respective sections below. The blending of the polypropylene composition (PC) may be carried out according to a process comprising the steps of: a) providing the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A), the propylene polymer (B), the ethylene-based plastomer (C), additives (E), and the optional talc (D); b) blending and extruding the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A), the propylene polymer (B), the ethylene-based plastomer (C), additives (E), and the optional talc (D) at a temperature in the range from 120 to 250 °C in an extruder, preferably a twin-screw extruder, thereby generating the polypropylene composition (PC), preferably in pellet form.

In particular, it is preferred to use a conventional compounding or blending apparatus, e.g. a Banbury mixer, a 2-roll rubber mill, Buss-co-kneader or a twin-screw extruder. More preferably, mixing is accomplished in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder. The polymer materials recovered from the extruder are usually in the form of pellets.

The polypropylene composition (PC) preferably comprises inclusions attributed to automotive paints. Said inclusions are determined in the example section on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography.

The polypropylene composition (PC) further preferably has a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 7.5 to 27.5 wt.-%, still more preferably from 10.0 to 25.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 10.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 12.5 to 32.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .15 to 1 .85 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 1 .75 dL/g.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 10.0 to 31 .0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 20.0 to 28.0 wt.-%.

Said soluble fraction (SF) preferably has an ethylene content (C2(SF)) determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 50.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 52.5 to 75.0 wt.-%, still more preferably from 54.0 to 70.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 55.0 to 65.0 wt.-%.

Said soluble fraction (SF) also preferably has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(SF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 1 .00 to less than 1 .80 dL/g, more preferably from 1 .15 to 1 .75 dL/g, most preferably from 1 .25 to 1 .70 dL/g.

The polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 69.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 70.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 72.0 to 78.0 wt.-%.

Said crystalline fraction (CF) preferably has an ethylene content (C2(CF)) determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 2.5 to 15.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 3.5 to 12.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 4.5 to 10.0 wt.-%.

The polypropylene compositions (PC) of both aspects of the present invention preferably have the following properties: The polypropylene composition (PC) has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 50.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 7.5 to 45 g/10 min, most preferably from 10.0 to 40 g/10 min.

Further, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a flexural modulus, determined according to ISO 178 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 1500 to 2500 MPa, more preferably from 1650 to 2350 MPa, most preferably from 1750 to 2250 MPa.

Still further, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a Charpy Notched impact strength at 23 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 10.0 to 45.0 kJ/m², more preferably from 12.5 to 40.0 kJ/m², most preferably from 15.0 to 35.0 kJ/m².

Furthermore, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a Charpy Notched impact strength at -20 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 1.5 to 12.0 kJ/m², more preferably from 2.5 to 10.0 kJ/m², most preferably from 3.5 to 8.0 kJ/m².

Further, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a content of low boiling organic substances (LBS) determined by screening of organic emissions by thermodesorption analysis of not more than 100 pg/g, such as in the range from 5 to 100 pg/g, more preferably in the range from 5 to 75 pg/g, most preferably in the range from 5 to 50 ng/g-

Still further, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has a content of high boiling organic substances (HBS) determined by screening of organic emissions by thermodesorption analysis in the range from 10 to 250 pg/g, more preferably in the range from 20 to 200 pg/g, most preferably in the range from 30 to 150 pg/g.

Furthermore, the polypropylene composition (PC) preferably has an amount of fogging, determined according to ISO 75201 , method B on compression moulded specimens, in the range from 0.05 to 0.75 mg, more preferably in the range from 0.10 to 0.50 mg, most preferably in the range from 0.10 to 0.40 mg. The properties of the individual components will now be detailed in the following sections.

Mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A)

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) is preferably provided in an amount in the range from 20.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably 25.0 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably 30.0 to 65.0 wt.-%, most preferably 35.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) is a polypropylene rich recycled material, meaning that it comprises significantly more polypropylene than polyethylene. Recycled waste streams, which are high in polypropylene can be obtained for example from the automobile industry, particularly as some automobile parts such as bumpers are sources of fairly pure polypropylene material in a recycling stream.

Preferably, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) originates from postconsumer waste from very special sources, i.e. from end-of life vehicle (ELV) recycled feedstock, more preferably from shredded bumpers.

It is especially preferred that the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) in its last product cycle does not originate from post-consumer household waste.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably originates from postconsumer waste from very special sources, i.e. from end-of life vehicle (ELV) recycled feedstock, more preferably from shredded bumpers, which comprises up to 50 wt.-% of a mixed-plastic polypropylene blend which in an earlier product cycle originated from post-consumer household waste. In said embodiment the polypropylene composition used for the production of the industrial purpose, such as e.g. bumpers for automotive vehicles, are mixed-plastics polypropylene blends as described e.g. in PCT/EP2022/084506.

During recycling, any reasonable measure will usually be taken for any components other than polyethylene and polypropylene to be reduced/removed as far as the final application or use suggests such measures; however, other components are often present in small amounts.

Such components include e.g. inorganic filler, which can be present in the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) in an amount of from 2.5 to 30 wt.-%, preferably 3.5 to 25 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A).

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably comprises inclusions attributed to automotive paints. Said inclusions are determined in the example section on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography

The inclusions attributed to automotive paints are typically particles, which comprise styrene-based components, urethane-based components and/or acrylic-based components and usually originate from paint residuals from the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) such as e.g. from the painted car parts, such as bumpers.

In addition to their chemical composition these inclusions can further be characterized by their 3D shape, which usually is sharp edged and platelet-like, which can have a multilayered structure and usually show an average CT grey value above a threshold of at least 50 % higher compared to the average grey value of the surrounding polypropylene composition.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a limonene content, determined by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS), of less than 0.1 ppm. In some embodiments, the limonene content is even below the detection limit of the HS- SPME-GC-MS method. The low limonene content in these embodiments results from mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blends (A), which do not originate from postconsumer household waste or do not contain any content of mixed plastics polypropylene blends, which in an earlier life cycle originated from post-consumer household waste. However, in some embodiments the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blends (A) include recycled blends, which in an earlier life cycle originate from post-consumer household waste typically in amounts of up to 50 wt.-%, based on the total amounts of mixed plastic polypropylene blends (A). In said embodiments the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blends (A) can contain a limonene content, determined by solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME-GC-MS) an amount of not more than 10.0 ppm, such as in the range of 0.1 to 10.0 ppm.

Other such components include inorganic residue content, as determined by calcination analysis according to DIN ISO 1172:1996, of 0.5 to 10.0 wt.-%.

Further components include a content of derivatives from organic acids and/or organic aldehydes, of 1 to 100 ppm.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from more than 3.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 3.5 to 40.0 wt.-%, still more preferably from 5.0 to 35.0 wt.-%.

The ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene (PP/PE) in the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably is from 1 .5:1 .0 to 9.0:1 .0, more preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 7.0:1 .0, still more preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 5.0:1 .0.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a melt flow (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 30.0 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 6.0 to 27.5 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 7.5 to 25.0 g/10 min.

Further, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a density in the range of 900 to 1100 kg/m³, determined according to ISO 1183.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 17.5 to 28.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 15.0 to 27.5 wt.-%.

Further, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of from 1 .0 to 2.0 dL/g, more preferably from 1.1 to 1 .9 dL/g, still more preferably from 1 .2 to 1 .8 dL/g.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a soluble fraction (SF) content of the polymeric part of the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A), determined according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 15.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 17.5 to 45.0 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 20.0 to 40.0 wt.-%.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a crystalline fraction (CF) content of the polymeric part of the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A), determined according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 50.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 55.0 to 82.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 60.0 to 80.0 wt.-%.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an ethylene content of the soluble fraction (C2(SF)), according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 35.0 to 65.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 37.5 to 62.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 40.0 to 60.0 wt.-%.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(CF)), according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 2.5 to 25.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 3.5 to 22.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 4.5 to 20.0 wt.-%.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the soluble fraction (iV(SF)), according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 1 .10 to 2.75 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 2.60 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .40 to 2.50 dL/g.

The mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has an intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the crystalline fraction (iV(CF)), according to crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 0.90 to 2.10 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1.10 to 1.90 dL/g.

Further, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a flexural modulus, determined according to ISO 178 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection- moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, of from 900 to 2200 MPa, more preferably from 950 to 2000 MPa.

Still further, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a Charpy Notched impact strength at 23 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 10.0 to 70.0 kJ/m², preferably from 15.0 to 60.0 kJ/m².

Additionally, the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A) preferably has a Charpy Notched impact strength at -20 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 2.5 to 20.0 kJ/m², preferably from 5.0 to 15.0 kJ/m².

Propylene polymer (B)

The propylene polymer is preferably provided in an amount in the range from 5.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, preferably 10.0 to 55.0 wt.-%, more preferably 15.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, most preferably 20.0 to 45.0 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The propylene polymer (B) preferably is a propylene homopolymer. - l -

The propylene polymer (B) preferably is a virgin polymer, which is compounded to the other components.

Residual propylene polymer (B), especially propylene homopolymer, which may be present in the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A) is not subsumed under propylene polymer (B).

The propylene polymer (B) is preferably polymerized in the presence of a single-site catalyst system, preferably a metallocene catalyst system.

In contrast to polypropylenes produced in the presence of Ziegler-Natta catalysts, polypropylenes produced in the presence of single site catalysts, such as metallocene catalysts, are characterized by mis-insertions of monomer units during the polymerization process. Therefore, the propylene polymer (B) has a certain amount of 2,1 -regio defects, which indicates that it has been produced with a single site catalyst, such as a metallocene catalyst.

The propylene polymer (B) has 2,1 regio-defects in the range of 0.05 to 1 .25 mol-%, preferably from 0.10 to 1 .00 mol-%, more preferably from 0.20 to 0.90 mol.-%, determined by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy.

The propylene polymer (B) preferably has a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 20 to 3000 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 35 to 2500 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 50 to 2000 g/10 min.

Further, the propylene polymer (B) preferably has a crystallization temperature Tc, determined by DSC according to ISO 113571 part 3 /method C2 in a heat I cool I heat cycle with a scan rate of 10 °C/min in the temperature range of -30 to +225°C, of from 100 to 130°C, more preferably from 105 to 125°C, most preferably from 110 to 120°C.

Still further, the propylene polymer (B) preferably has a melting temperature Tm, determined by DSC according to ISO 113571 part 3 /method C2 in a heat I cool I heat cycle with a scan rate of 10 °C/min in the temperature range of -30 to +225°C, of from 145 to 157°C, more preferably from 148 to 156°C, most preferably from 150 to 155°C. The propylene polymer (B) preferably has a comonomer content determined by ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy of not more than 0.5 wt.-%, such as from 0 to 0.5 wt.-%. The comonomer, if present, is preferably ethylene.

It is especially preferred that the propylene polymer (B) does not comprise a detectable amount of comonomer, i.e. the comonomer content is 0 wt.-%.

Additionally, the propylene polymer (B) preferably has a polydispersity index, being the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight Mw/Mn, determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), in the range of from 1 .5 to below 8.5, more preferably in the range of 2.0 to 8.0, more preferably in the range of 2.5 to 7.5.

In one embodiment, the propylene polymer (B) is unimodal and has a polydispersity index in the range of from 1 .5 to below 5.0, preferably in the range of 2.0 to 4.5, more preferably in the range of 2.5 to 4.0.

In another embodiment, the propylene polymer (B) is multimodal and has a polydispersity index in the range of from 5.0 to below 8.5, preferably in the range of 5.2 to 8.0, more preferably from 5.5 to 7.5.

The weight average molecular weight Mw is preferably in the range of from 80 to 200 kg/mol, more preferably in the range of 100 to 180 kg/mol, like in the range of 115 to 175 kg/mol, determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

Further the propylene polymer (B) preferably has a rather high amount of polymer which elutes below 100 °C by Temperature Rising Elution fractionation (TREF).

Accordingly, it is preferred that the propylene polymer (B) has a fraction which elutes below 100 °C by Temperature Rising Elution fractionation (TREF) in the range of 5 to 20 wt.-%, more preferably in the range of 7 to 18 wt.-%.

Still further, the propylene polymer (B) preferably has a xylene cold soluble (XCS) fraction measured according to ISO 16152 (25 °C) in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range of 0.8 to 2.5 wt.-%.

The propylene polymer (B) preferably has a flexural modulus of from 1200 to 2000 MPa, more preferably from 1300 to 1750 MPa, most preferably from 1400 to 1650 MPa, determined according to ISO 178 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2.

Catalyst

As mentioned above it is preferred that the propylene polymer (B) is produced in the presence of a single site catalyst system, preferably a metallocene catalyst system. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the propylene polymer (B) is produced by polymerizing propylene and optionally ethylene in the presence of the metallocene catalyst having the formula (I) wherein each R¹ are independently the same or can be different and are hydrogen or a linear or branched Ci-Ce alkyl group, whereby at least on R¹ per phenyl group is not hydrogen,

R' is a C1-C10 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C1-C4 hydrocarbyl group and more preferably a methyl group and

X independently is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, Ci-Ce alkoxy group, Ci-Ce alkyl group, phenyl or benzyl group.

Most preferably, X is chlorine, benzyl or a methyl group. Preferably, both X groups are the same. The most preferred options are two chlorides, two methyl or two benzyl groups, especially two chlorides.

Specific preferred metallocene catalysts of the invention include: rac-anti-dimethylsilanediyl[2-methyl-4,8-bis-(4'-tert-butylphenyl)-1 ,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacen-1 -yl][2-methyl-4-(3’,5’-dimethyl-phenyl)-5-methoxy-6-tert-butylinden-1 -yl] zirconium dichloride rac-anti-dimethylsilanediyl[2-methyl-4,8-bis-(3’,5’-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacen-1 -yl] [2-methyl-4-(3’,5’-dimethylphenyl)-5-methoxy-6-tert-butylinden-1 -yl] zirconium dichloride rac-anti-dimethylsilanediyl[2-methyl-4,8-bis-(3’,5’-dimethylphenyl)-1 ,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s- indacen-1 -yl] [2-methyl-4-(3’,5’-ditert-butyl-phenyl)-5-methoxy-6-tert-butylinden-1 -yl] zirconium dichloride or their corresponding zirconium dimethyl analogues.

The most preferred catalyst is rac-anti-dimethylsilanediyl[2-methyl-4,8-bis-(3’,5’- dimethylphenyl)-1 ,5,6,7-tetrahydros-indacen-1 -yl] [2-methyl-4-(3’,5’-dimethylphenyl)-5- methoxy-6-tert-butylinden-1 -yl] zirconium dichloride

The ligands required to form the complexes and hence catalysts of the invention can be synthesized by any process and the skilled organic chemist would be able to devise various synthetic protocols for the manufacture of the necessary ligand materials. For Example W02007/116034 discloses the necessary chemistry. Synthetic protocols can also generally be found in WO 2002/02576, WO 2011 /135004, WO 2012/084961 , WO 2012/001052, WO 2011/076780, WO 2015/158790 and WO 2018/122134. Especially reference is made to WO 2019/179959 in which the most preferred catalyst of the present invention is described. The examples section also provides the skilled person with sufficient direction.

Cocatalyst

To form an active catalytic species it is normally necessary to employ a cocatalyst as is well known in the art. According to the present invention a cocatalyst system comprising a boron containing cocatalyst and/or an aluminoxane cocatalyst is used in combination with the above defined metallocene catalyst complex.

The aluminoxane cocatalyst can be one of formula (III): where n is usually from 6 to 20 and R has the meaning below.

Aluminoxanes are formed on partial hydrolysis of organoaluminum compounds, for example those of the formula AI 3, AI 2Y and AI2 3Y3 where R can be, for example, C1- C10 alkyl, preferably C1-C5 alkyl, or C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C7-C12 arylalkyl or alkylaryl and/or phenyl or naphthyl, and where Y can be hydrogen, halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, or C1-C10 alkoxy, preferably methoxy or ethoxy. The resulting oxygencontaining aluminoxanes are not in general pure compounds but mixtures of oligomers of the formula (III).

The preferred aluminoxane is methylaluminoxane (MAO). Since the aluminoxanes used according to the invention as cocatalysts are not, owing to their mode of preparation, pure compounds, the molarity of aluminoxane solutions hereinafter is based on their aluminium content.

According to the present invention, also a boron containing cocatalyst can be used instead of the aluminoxane cocatalyst or the aluminoxane cocatalyst can be used in combination with a boron containing cocatalyst.

It will be appreciated by the skilled man that where boron based cocatalysts are employed, it is normal to pre-alkylate the complex by reaction thereof with an aluminium alkyl compound, such as TIBA. This procedure is well known and any suitable aluminium alkyl, e.g. AI(Ci-Ce alkyl)s- can be used. Preferred aluminium alkyl compounds are triethylaluminium, tri-isobutylaluminium, tri-isohexylaluminium, tri-n- octylaluminium and tri-isooctylaluminium. Alternatively, when a borate cocatalyst is used, the metallocene catalyst complex is in its alkylated version, that is for example a dimethyl or dibenzyl metallocene catalyst complex can be used.

Boron based cocatalysts of interest include those of formula (IV)

BY₃ (IV) wherein Y is the same or different and is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group of from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group of from 6 to about 15 carbon atoms, alkylaryl, arylalkyl, haloalkyl or haloaryl each having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and from 6-20 carbon atoms in the aryl radical or fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine. Preferred examples for Y are methyl, propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl or trifluoromethyl, unsaturated groups such as aryl or haloaryl like phenyl, tolyl, benzyl groups, p- fluorophenyl, 3,5- difluorophenyl, pentachlorophenyl, pentafluorophenyl, 3,4,5- trifluorophenyl and 3,5- di(trifluoromethyl)phenyl. Preferred options are trifluoroborane, triphenylborane, tris(4-fluorophenyl)borane, tris(3,5-difluorophenyl)borane, tris(4- fluoromethylphenyl)borane, tris(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)borane, tris(penta- fluorophenyl)borane, tris(tolyl)borane, tris(3,5-dimethyl-phenyl)borane, tris(3,5- difluorophenyl)borane and/or tris (3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)borane.

Particular preference is given to tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane.

However it is preferred that borates are used, i.e. compounds containing a borate 3+ ion. Such ionic cocatalysts preferably contain a non-coordinating anion such as tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate and tetraphenylborate. Suitable counterions are protonated amine or aniline derivatives such as methylammonium, anilinium, dimethylammonium, diethylammonium, N- methylanilinium, diphenylammonium, N,N- dimethylanilinium, trimethylammonium, triethylammonium, tri-n-butylammonium, methyldiphenylammonium, pyridinium, p-bromo-N,N- dimethylanilinium or p-nitro-N,N- dimethylanilinium.

Preferred ionic compounds which can be used according to the present invention include: triethylammoniumtetra(phenyl)borate, tributylammoniumtetra(phenyl)borate, trimethylammoniumtetra(tolyl)borate, tributylammoniumtetra(tolyl)borate, tributylammoniumtetra(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammoniumtetra(dimethylphenyl)borate, tributylammoniumtetra(trifluoromethylphenyl)borate, tributylammoniumtetra(4-fluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylbenzylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylaniliniumtetra(phenyl)borate, N,N-diethylaniliniumtetra(phenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylaniliniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-di(propyl)ammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, di(cyclohexyl)ammoniumtetrakist(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphoniumtetrakis(phenyl)borate, triethylphosphoniumtetrakis(phenyl)borate, diphenylphosphoniumtetrakis(phenyl)borate, tri(methylphenyl)phosphoniumtetrakis(phenyl)borate, tri(dimethylphenyl)phosphoniumtetrakis(phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbeniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, or ferroceniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

Preference is given to triphenylcarbeniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate, N,N- dimethylcyclohexylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate or N,N- dimethylbenzylammoniumtetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

It has been surprisingly found that certain boron cocatalysts are especially preferred. Preferred borates of use in the invention therefore comprise the trityl ion. Thus the use of N,N-dimethylammonium-tetrakispentafluorophenylborate and Ph3CB(PhF5)4 and analogues therefore are especially favoured.

According to the present invention, the preferred cocatalysts are alumoxanes, more preferably methylalumoxanes, combinations of alumoxanes with Al-alkyls, boron or borate cocatalysts, and combination of alumoxanes with boron-based cocatalysts. Suitable amounts of cocatalyst will be well known to the skilled man.

The molar ratio of boron to the metal ion of the metallocene may be in the range 0.5:1 to 10:1 mol/mol, preferably 1 :1 to 10:1 , especially 1 :1 to 5:1 mol/mol.

The molar ratio of Al in the aluminoxane to the metal ion of the metallocene may be in the range 1 :1 to 2000:1 mol/mol, preferably 10:1 to 1000:1 , and more preferably 50:1 to 500:1 mol/mol.

The catalyst can be used in supported or unsupported form, preferably in supported form. The particulate support material used is preferably an organic or inorganic material, such as silica, alumina or zirconia or a mixed oxide such as silica-alumina, in particular silica, alumina or silica-alumina. The use of a silica support is preferred. The skilled person is aware of the procedures required to support a metallocene catalyst.

Especially preferably, the support is a porous material so that the complex may be loaded into the pores of the support, e.g. using a process analogous to those described in WO94/14856 (Mobil), WO95/12622 (Borealis) and W02006/097497.

The average particle size of the silica support can be typically from 10 to 100 pm. However, it has turned out that special advantages can be obtained if the support has an average particle size from 15 to 80 pm, preferably from 18 to 50 pm.

The average pore size of the silica support can be in the range 10 to 100 nm and the pore volume from 1 to 3 mL/g.

Examples of suitable support materials are, for instance, ES757 produced and marketed by PQ Corporation, Sylopol 948 produced and marketed by Grace or SUNSPERA DM- L-303 silica produced by AGC Si-Tech Co. Supports can be optionally calcined prior to the use in catalyst preparation in order to reach optimal silanol group content.

The use of these supports is routine in the art.

The propylene polymer (B) can be produced in one reactor or in a reactor cascade of two or more reactors, preferably two reactors. In one embodiment, the propylene polymer (B) is produced in at least two reactors, in each reactor a polypropylene fraction is produced which differ considerable in the molecular weight thereby arriving at a final propylene polymer (B) having a rather broad polydispersity index in the range of from 5.0 to below 8.5. The propylene polymer (B) of said embodiment is preferably multimodal.

In another embodiment, the propylene polymer (B) is produced in a single reactor or in at least two reactors, whereby in each reactor a polypropylene fraction is produced which has a comparable molecular weight thereby arriving at a final propylene polymer (B) having a rather narrow polydispersity index in the range of from 1 .5 to below 5.0. The propylene polymer (B) of said embodiment is preferably unimodal.

The polymerization processes suitable for producing the propylene polymer (B) according to this invention are known in the art. They comprise at least one polymerization stage, where polymerization is typically carried out in solution, slurry, bulk or gas phase. Typically, the polymerization process comprises additional polymerization stages or reactors. In one particular embodiment, the process contains at least one bulk reactor zone and optionally at least one gas phase reactor zone, each zone comprising at least one reactor and all reactors being arranged in cascade. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the polymerization process comprises at least one bulk reactor and at least one gas phase reactor arranged in that order. The process may further comprise pre- and post-reactors. Pre-reactors comprise typically prepolymerization reactors. In this kind of processes, the use of higher polymerization temperatures is preferred in order to achieve specific properties of the polymer. Typical temperatures in these processes are 70 °C or higher, preferably 75 °C or higher. The higher polymerization temperatures as mentioned above can be applied in some or all reactors of the reactor cascade.

Multimodal polymers can be produced according to several processes which are described, e.g. in WO 92/12182, EP 0 887379, and WO 98/58976. The contents of these documents are included herein by reference.

Preferably, the process for producing the propylene polymer (B) comprises two polymerization stages, in which in the 1 ^st polymerization stage a slurry reactor (SR), like a loop reactor (LR), while in the 2^nd polymerization stage a gas phase reactor is used. The conditions in the 1 ^st polymerization stage may be as follows:

- the temperature is within the range of 70 °C to 110 °C, preferably between 72 °C and 100 °C, more preferably in the range of 75 to 90 °C,

- the pressure is within the range of 20 bar to 80 bar, preferably between 40 bar and 70 bar,

- hydrogen is added for controlling the molar mass in a manner known per se,

- ethylene is fed in case the propylene polymer (B) shall contain low amounts thereof. It is preferred that no ethylene is fed to the 1 ^st polymerization stage.

Subsequently, the reaction mixture from 1^st polymerization stage is transferred to the gas phase reactor (GPR), whereby the conditions are preferably as follows:

- the temperature is within the range of 50 °C to 130 °C, preferably between 60 °C and 100 °C,

- the pressure is within the range of 5 bar to 50 bar, preferably between 15 bar to 40 bar,

- hydrogen is added for controlling the molar mass in a manner known per se;

- ethylene is fed in case the propylene polymer (B) shall contain low amounts thereof. It is preferred that no ethylene is fed to the gas phase reactor.

The residence time can vary in both reactor zones.

In one embodiment of the process for producing the polypropylene (PP1) the residence time in the slurry reactor (SR), e.g. loop (LR), is in the range 0.2 to 2.5 hours, e.g. 0.2 to 1 .5 hours and the residence time in the gas phase reactor (GPR) will generally be 0.8 to 6.0 hours, like 1 .0 to 4.0 hours.

A preferred multistage process is a “loop-gas phase”-process, such as developed by Borealis (known as BORSTAR® technology) described e.g. in patent literature, such as in EP 0 887 379, WO 92/12182, WO 2004/000899, WO 2004/111095, WO 99/24478, WO 99/24479 or in WO 00/68315. A further suitable slurry-gas phase process is the Spheripol® process of Basell.

Ethylene-based plastomer (C) The ethylene-based plastomer (C) is usually an elastomeric copolymer containing ethylene monomers and comonomers selected from alpha-olefins having from 3 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, more preferably from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, like 1 -butene, 1 -hexene or 1 -octene, preferably 1 -butene or 1 -octene, most preferably 1 -octene.

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) preferably is an elastomeric copolymer containing ethylene monomers and 1 -butene or 1 -octene comonomers, most preferably an elastomeric copolymer containing ethylene monomers and 1 -octene comonomers.

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) is preferably provided in an amount in the range from 1 .0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 2.0 to 12.5 wt.-%, more preferably 3.0 to 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 4.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) preferably is a virgin polymer, which is compounded to the other components.

Residual ethylene-based plastomer (C), which may be present in the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A) is not subsumed under ethylene-based plastomer (C).

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) preferably has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 190 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 0.2 to 2.5 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 0.3 to 1 .5 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 0.4 to 1 .0 g/10 min.

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) preferably has a density, determined according to ISO 1183-1 , in the range from 850 to 890 kg/m³, more preferably in the range from 855 to 870 kg/m³, even more preferably in the range from 857 to 867 kg/m³, most preferably in the range from 860 to 865 kg/m³.

The ethylene-based plastomer (C) is preferably polymerized in a solution polymerization process in the presence of a metallocene catalyst.

Such processes and suitable catalysts are well known in the art.

Suitable ethylene-based plastomers (C) can be commercially available e.g. from Dow, Exxon, Mitsui or Borealis under the tradenames Engage, Exact, Tafmer and Queo. Talc (D)

Talc (D) is preferably provided in an amount in the range from 0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 0 to 12.5 wt.-%, more preferably 0 to 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 0 to 8.0 wt.- %, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

Talc (D) preferably is a virgin filler, which is compounded to the other components. Residual talc, which may be present in the mixed-plastic polypropylene blend (A) is not subsumed under talc (D).

It is preferred that the talc (D) has a median diameter (dso) in the range from 1 .0 to 15.0 pm, more preferably in the range from 2.0 to 10.0 pm, most preferably in the range from 2.5 to 5.0 pm.

It is preferred that the talc (D) has a top cut diameter (dgs) in the range from 2.0 to 30.0 pm, more preferably in the range from 4.0 to 20.0 pm, most preferably in the range from 5.0 to 10.0 pm.

Additives (E)

The additives (E) are preferably provided in an amount in the range from 0.1 to 10.0 wt.- %, preferably 0.3 to 8.5 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC). The lower limit of the amount of additives (E), if present is preferably 0.4 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The skilled practitioner would be able to select suitable additives that are well known in the art.

The additives (A) are preferably selected from antioxidants, UV-stabilizers, anti-scratch agents, mold release agents, acid scavengers, lubricants, anti-static agents, and mixtures thereof.

It is understood that the content of additives (A), given with respect to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), includes any carrier polymers used to introduce the additives to said polypropylene composition (PC), i.e. masterbatch carrier polymers. An example of such a carrier polymer would be a polypropylene homopolymer in the form of powder.

Pigment masterbatch (P)

The polypropylene composition (PC) can be a pigmented polypropylene composition. In the embodiment of a pigmented polypropylene composition the additives (E) preferably comprise a pigment masterbatch (P)

As such, a pigment masterbatch (P) can be provided in an amount in the range from 0.5 to 10.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 2.0 to 10.0 wt.-%, relative to the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC).

The pigment masterbatch has a total pigment content in the range from 40.0 to 80.0 wt.- %, relative to the total weight of the pigment masterbatch (P). The pigment masterbatch (P) may comprise one pigment, or it may comprise multiple pigments. When the pigment masterbatch (P) comprises more than one pigment, the pigment masterbatch may be provided as multiple pigment masterbatches, each containing a single pigment, wherein the sum of the amounts of the individual pigment masterbatches equals the total weight of the pigment masterbatch (P) according to the present invention.

The selection of the pigment depends on the intended colour of the polypropylene composition (PC). Beyond such considerations, the choice of suitable pigment is not restricted. The person skilled in the art would be able to select suitable pigment(s) to achieve a certain end colour of the composition.

Article

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an article, preferably an injection- moulded article, comprising the polypropylene composition (PC) as described above or below in an amount of at least 95 wt.-%, more preferably at least 98 wt.-%, most preferably at least 99 wt.-%.

Thereby, preferably all aspects and properties of the polypropylene composition (PC) as described above and below are applicable in this aspect of present invention. Preferably the article, more preferably the injection-moulded article, is an automotive interior article, more preferably selected from the group consisting of dashboards, step assists, interior trims, ash trays, interior body panels and gear shift levers.

The article comprising, preferably consisting of the polypropylene composition (PC) has been found to show a good surface quality.

The article preferably has a scratch resistance at 10 N in the range from 0.00 to 0.40, preferably from 0.00 to 0.25, more preferably from 0.00 to 0.10.

Use

In yet another aspect the present invention relates to the use of a polypropylene composition (PC) as described above or below for the production of an injection- moulded article, preferably an injection-moulded automotive article, still more preferably an injection-moulded automotive interior article.

Thereby, preferably all aspects and properties of the polypropylene composition (PC) and the article as described above and below are applicable in this aspect of present invention.

Examples

1. Measuring methods

The following definitions of terms and determination methods apply for the above general description of the invention including the claims as well as to the below examples unless otherwise defined.

Quantification of microstructure by NMR spectroscopy

Quantitative nuclear-magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to quantify the comonomer content of the polymers.

Quantitative ¹³C{¹ H} NMR spectra recorded in the molten-state using a Bruker Avance III 500 NMR spectrometer operating at 500.13 and 125.76 MHz for ¹H and ¹³C respectively. All spectra were recorded using a ¹³C optimised 7 mm magic-angle spinning (MAS) probehead at 180°C using nitrogen gas for all pneumatics.

Approximately 200 mg of material was packed into a 7 mm outer diameter zirconia MAS rotor and spun at 4 kHz. This setup was chosen primarily for the high sensitivity needed for rapid identification and accurate quantification {klimke06, parkinson07, castignolles09}. Standard single-pulse excitation was employed utilising the NOE at short recycle delays of 3 s {pollard04, klimke06} and the RS-HEPT decoupling scheme {fillip05,griffin07}. A total of 1024 (1 k) transients were acquired per spectra.

Quantitative ¹³C{¹ H} NMR spectra were processed, integrated and relevant quantitative properties determined from the integrals. All chemical shifts are internally referenced to the methyl isotactic pentad (mmmm) at 21 .85 ppm.

Characteristic signals corresponding to the incorporation of 1 -butene were observed {brandoliniOl } and the comonomer content quantified.

The amount of isolated 1 -butene incorporated in PBP sequences was quantified using the integral of the aB2 sites at 43.6 ppm accounting for the number of reporting sites per comonomer:

B = laB212

The amount of consecutively incorporated 1 -butene in PBBP sequences was quantified using the integral of the aaB2B2 site at 40.5 ppm accounting for the number of reporting sites per comonomer: BB = 2 * laaB2B2

In presence of BB the value of B must be corrected for the influence of the aB2 sites resulting from BB:

B = (laB2 I 2) - BB/2

The total 1 -butene content was calculated based on the sum of isolated and consecutively incorporated 1 -butene: Btotai = B + BB

Characteristic signals corresponding to the incorporation of ethylene were observed {brandoliniOl } and the comonomer content quantified.

The amount of isolated ethylene incorporated in PEP sequences was quantified using the integral of the Spp sites at 24.3 ppm accounting for the number of reporting sites per comonomer:

E = Ispp

If characteristic signals corresponding to consecutive incorporation of ethylene in PEE sequence was observed the Sp6 site at 27.0 ppm was used for quantification: EE = Ispa Characteristic signals corresponding to regio defects were observed {resconiOO}. The presence of isolated 2,1 -erythro regio defects was indicated by the presence of the two methyl sites at 17.7 and 17.2 ppm, by the methylene site at 42.4 ppm and confirmed by other characteristic sites. The presence of 2,1 regio defect adjacent an ethylene unit was indicated by the two inequivalent Sap signals at 34.8 ppm and 34.4 ppm respectively and the Tyy at 33.7 ppm.

The amount of isolated 2,1 -erythro regio defects (P2ie isolated) was quantified using the integral of the methylene site at 42.4 ppm (l_eg) : P21e isolated = Ie9

If present the amount of 2,1 regio defect adjacent to ethylene (PE2I) was quantified using the methine site at 33.7 ppm (I_TYY): PE21 = IT_YY

The total ethylene content was then calculated based on the sum of ethylene from isolated, consecutively incorporated and adjacent to 2,1 regio defects: Etotai = E + EE + PE2I

The amount of propylene was quantified based on the Saa methylene sites at 46.7 ppm including all additional propylene units not covered by Saa e.g. the factor 3*P2ie isolated accounts for the three missing propylene units from isolated 2,1 -erythro regio defects: Ptotal ⁼ Isaa + 3 P21e isolated + B + 0.5 BB + E + 0.5 EE + 2 PE21

The total mole fraction of 1 -butene and ethylene in the polymer was then calculated as:

The mole percent comonomer incorporation was calculated from the mole fractions:

B [mol%] = 100 * fB

E [mol%] = 100 * fE

The weight percent comonomer incorporation was calculated from the mole fractions: B [wt.-%] = 100 * ( fB * 56.11 ) / ( (fE * 28.05) + (fB * 56.11 ) + ((1 -(f E+fB)) * 42.08) ) E [wt.-%] = 100 * ( fE * 28.05 ) / ( (fE * 28.05) + (fB * 56.11 ) + ((1 -(f E+fB)) * 42.08) )

The mole percent of isolated 2,1 -erythro regio defects was quantified with respect to all propylene:

[21 e] mol% = 100 P21e isolated I Ptotal

The mole percent of 2,1 regio defects adjacent to ethylene was quantified with respect to all propylene: [E21 ] mol% = 100 * P_E2i / Ptotai

The total amount of 2,1 defects was quantified as following:

[21] mol% = [21e] + [E21] Literature (as referred to above): klimke06 Klimke, K., Parkinson, M., Piel, C., Kaminsky, W., Spiess, H.W.,

Wilhelm, M., Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2006;207:382. parkinson07 Parkinson, M., Klimke, K., Spiess, H.W., Wilhelm, M., Macromol.

Chem. Phys. 2007;208:2128. pollard04 Pollard, M., Klimke, K., Graf, R., Spiess, H.W., Wilhelm, M., Sperber, O., Piel, C., Kaminsky, W., Macromolecules 2004;37:813. filip05 Filip, X., Tripon, C., Filip, C., J. Mag. Resn. 2005, 176, 239 griffinO7 Griffin, J.M., Tripon, C., Samoson, A., Filip, C., and Brown, S.P.,

Mag. Res. in Chem. 200745, S1 , S198. castignolles09 Castignolles, P., Graf, R., Parkinson, M., Wilhelm, M., Gaborieau, M.,

Polymer 50 (2009) 2373. resconiOO Resconi, L., Cavallo, L., Fait, A., Piemontesi, F., Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1253. brandoliniOl A.J. Brandolini, D.D. Hills, “NMR spectra of polymers and polymer additives”, Marcel Deker Inc., 2000

Crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis

Note: Crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analyses the polymeric part of each component, with non-polymeric parts, such as any fillers or particulate pigments, not contributing to the reported CRYSTEX data presented.

Determination of Crystalline and soluble fractions and their respective properties (iV and Ethylene content)

The crystalline (CF) and soluble fractions (SF) of the polypropylene compositions as well as the comonomer content and intrinsic viscosities of the respective fractions were analyzed by use of the Crystex (crystallization extraction) method. Potential instruments that can be used are Crystex QC or Crystex 42 (Polymer Char; Valencia, Spain). Details of the technique and the method can be found in literature (Ljiljana Jeremie, Andreas

Albrecht, Martina Sandholzer & Markus Gahleitner (2020): Rapid characterization of high-impact ethylene-propylene copolymer composition by crystallization extraction separation: comparability to standard separation methods, International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization, 25:8, 581 -596).

The crystalline and amorphous fractions are separated through temperature cycles of dissolution at 160°C, crystallization at 40°C and re-dissolution in 1 ,2,4-trichlorobenzene at 160°C. Quantification of SF and CF and determination of ethylene content (C2) are achieved by means of an integrated infrared detector (IR4) and for the determination of the intrinsic viscosity (IV) an online 2-capillary viscometer is used.

IR4 detector is a multiple wavelength detector measuring IR absorbance at two different bands (CH3 stretching vibration (centred at app. 2960 cm^-1) and the CH stretching vibration (2700-3000 cm^-1) that are serving for the determination of the concentration and the Ethylene content in Ethylene-Propylene copolymers. IR4 detector is calibrated with series of 8 EP copolymers with known Ethylene content in the range of 2 wt.-% to 69 wt.-% (determined by 13C-NMR) and each at various concentrations, in the range of 2 and 13mg/ml. To encounter for both features, concentration and ethylene content at the same time for various polymer concentration expected during Crystex analyses the following calibration equations were applied::

The constants a to e for equation 1 and a to f for equation 2 were determined by using least square regression analysis.

The CH₃/1000C is converted to the ethylene content in wt.-% using following relationship:

Wt.-% (Ethylene in EP Copolymers) = 100 - CH₃/1000TC * 0.3 (Equation 3)

Amounts of Soluble Fraction (SF) and Crystalline Fraction (CF) are correlated through the XS calibration to the “Xylene Cold Soluble” (XCS) quantity and respectively Xylene Cold Insoluble (XCI) fractions, determined according to standard gravimetric method as per ISO16152. XS calibration is achieved by testing various EP copolymers with XS content in the range 2-31 wt.-%. The determined XS calibration is linear:

Wt.-% XS = 1 ,01 * Wt.-% SF (Equation 4)

Intrinsic viscosity (IV) of the parent EP copolymer and its soluble and crystalline fractions are determined with a use of an online 2-capillary viscometer and are correlated to corresponding IV’s determined by standard method in decalin according to ISO 1628-3. Calibration is achieved with various EP PP copolymers with IV = 2-4 dL/g. The determined calibration curve is linear:

IV (dL/g) = a* Vsp/c (equation 5)

The samples to be analyzed are weighed out in concentrations of 10mg/ml to 20mg/ml. To avoid injecting possible gels and/or polymers which do not dissolve in TCB at 160°C, like PET and PA, the weighed out sample was packed into a stainless steel mesh MW 0, 077/D 0,05mmm.

After automated filling of the vial with 1 ,2,4-TCB containing 250 mg/l 2 ,6-tert-butyl-4- methylphenol (BHT) as antioxidant, the sample is dissolved at 160°C until complete dissolution is achieved, usually for 60 min, with constant stirring of 400rpm. To avoid sample degradation, the polymer solution is blanketed with the N2 atmosphere during dissolution.

A defined volume of the sample solution is injected into the column filled with inert support where the crystallization of the sample and separation of the soluble fraction from the crystalline part is taking place. This process is repeated two times. During the first injection the whole sample is measured at high temperature, determining the I V[dl/g] and the C2[wt.%] of the PP composition. During the second injection the soluble fraction (at low temperature) and the crystalline fraction (at high temperature) with the crystallization cycle are measured (wt.-% SF, wt.-% C2, IV).

Intrinsic viscosity

The intrinsic viscosity (iV) is measured according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , October 1999, in Decalin at 135°C. Melt Flow Rate

The melt flow rate (MFR) is determined according to ISO 1133 and is indicated in g/10 min. The MFR is an indication of the flowability, and hence the processability, of the polymer. The higher the melt flow rate, the lower the viscosity of the polymer. The MFR2 of polypropylene is determined at a temperature of 230 °C and a load of 2.16 kg.

The MFR2 of polyethylene is determined at a temperature of 190 °C and a load of 2.16 kg.

Calculation of melt flow rate MFR2 (230 °C) of the polypropylene produced in the 1 ^st wherein w(PP1 ) is the weight fraction [in wt.-%] of the polypropylene fraction produced in the loop reactor and the prepolymerization reactor, w(PP2) is the weight fraction [in wt.-%] of the polypropylene fraction produced in 1 ^st gas phase reactor (GPR1 ),

MFR(PP1 ) is the melt flow rate MFR2 (230 °C) [in g/1 Omin] of the polypropylene fraction taken from the loop reactor,

MFR(PP) is the melt flow rate MFR2 (230 °C) [in g/1 Omin] of the polypropylene taken from the 1 ^st gas phase reactor,

MFR(PP2) is the calculated melt flow rate MFR2 (230 °C) [in g/1 Omin] of the polypropylene fraction produced in the 1 ^st gas phase reactor (GPR1 ).

Density:

The density is measured according to ISO 1183-1 . Sample preparation is done by compression moulding in accordance with ISO 1872-2:2007.

The xylene soluble fraction at room temperature (XCS, wt.-%): The amount of the polymer soluble in xylene is determined at 25 °C according to ISO 16152; 5^th edition; 2005-07-01 .

DSC analysis, melting temperature (T_m) and heat of fusion (Hf), crystallization temperature (T_c) and heat of crystallization (H_c): measured with a TA Instrument Q200 differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) on 5 to 7 mg samples. DSC is run according to ISO 11357 I part 3 /method C2 in a heat I cool I heat cycle with a scan rate of 10 °C/min in the temperature range of -30 to +225°C. Crystallization temperature (T_c) and crystallization enthalpy (H_c) are determined from the cooling step, while melting temperature (T_m) and melting enthalpy (H_m) are determined from the second heating step.

Molar mass:

Molar mass averages (Mz, Mw and Mn) and molecular weight distribution (MWD), i.e. Mw/Mn, were determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) according to ISO 16014-4:2003 and ASTM D 6474-99 using the following formulas: where Ai and Mi are the chromatographic peak slice area and polyolefin molecular weight (MW).

A PolymerChar GPC instrument, equipped with infrared (IR) detector was used with 3 x Olexis and 1x Olexis Guard columns from Polymer Laboratories and 1 ,2,4- trichlorobenzene (TCB, stabilized with 250 mg/l 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methyl-phenol) as solvent at 160 °C and at a constant flow rate of 1 ml/min. 200 pL of sample solution were injected per analysis. The column set was calibrated using universal calibration (according to ISO 16014-2:2003) with at least 15 narrow MWD polystyrene (PS) standards in the range of 0.5 kg/mol to 11500 kg/mol. Mark Houwink constants used for PS, PE and PP are as described per ASTM D 6474-99. All samples were prepared by dissolving 5.0 to 9.0 mg of polymer in 8 ml (at 160 °C) of stabilized TCB (same as mobile phase) for 2.5 hours for PP or 3 hours for PE at 160 °C under continuous gentle shaking in the autosampler of the GPC instrument.

TREF method

The chemical composition distribution was determined by analytical Temperature Rising

Elution fractionation as described by Soares, J.B.P., Fractionation, In: Encyclopedia Of Polymer Science and Technology, John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 75-131 , Vol. 10, 2001 . The separation of the polymer in TREF is according to their crystallinity in solution. The TREF profiles were generated using a CRYSTAF-TREF 200+ instrument manufactured by PolymerChar S.A. (Valencia, Spain).

The polymer sample was dissolved in 1 ,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB, stabilized with 250 mg/L 2,6-Di tert butyl-4-methyl-phenol) at a concentration between 1 .5 and 2.0 mg/ml at 150 °C for 180 min and 1 .8 mL of the sample solution was injected into the column (8 mm inner diameter, 15 cm length, filled with inert e.g. glass beads). The column oven was then rapidly cooled to 110 °C and held at 110 °C for 30 min for stabilization purpose and it was later slowly cooled to 35°C under a constant cooling rate (0.1 °C/min). The polymer was subsequently eluted from the column with 1 ,2,4-trichlorobenzene (stabilized with 250 mg/L 2,6-Di tert butyl-4-methyl-phenol) at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min at 35 °C for a period of 10 min followed by a temperature increase from 35 °C to 135 °C at a constant heating rate of 0.5 °C/ram with a flow rate of 0.5ml/min. The concentration of the polymer during elution was recorded by an infrared detector (measuring the C-H absorption at 3.5 micrometer wavelength). The detector response was plotted as a function of the temperature.

The normalized concentration plot was presented as fractogram together with the cumulative concentration signal normalized to 100.

Definition of High crystalline fraction (HCF) and Low crystalline fraction (LCF): The high crystalline fraction (HCF) is the amount in wt.-% of the polymer fraction which elutes at 100 °C and above elution temperature.

The low crystalline fraction (LCF) is than the amount in wt.-% of the polymer fraction which elutes between 35 and below 100 °C.

The Flexural Modulus is determined according to ISO 178 method A (3-point bending test) on 80 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm specimens. Following the standard, a test speed of 2 mm/min and a span length of 16 times the thickness was used. The testing temperature was 23±2° C. Injection moulding was carried out according to ISO 19069-2 using a melt temperature of 200°C for all materials irrespective of material melt flow rate.

Notched impact strength (NIS) The Charpy notched impact strength (NIS) was measured according to ISO 179 1 eA at +23°C or -20 °C, using injection moulded bar test specimens of 80x10x4 mm³ prepared in accordance with ISO 19069-2 using a melt temperature of 200°C for all materials irrespective of material melt flow rate.

Average particle size (diameter) c o and top cut chs

The particle size definitions were calculated from the particle size distribution [mass percent] as determined by laser diffraction method, using Laser Mastersizer, according to ISO 13320-1 . The dso is defined as the median diameter, whilst dgs is the diameter at the 95^th percentile, as observed from the particle size distribution.

Organic emissions by thermo-desorption analysis

This method describes the semi-quantitative determination of organic compounds emitting from polyolefins. It is similar to the VDA 278 (October 2011 ) but includes specific adjustments.

Directly after the production the sample (injection moulded plaque, DIN-A5, injection moulding done at injection moulding temperature of 230°C) is sealed in an aluminium- coated polyethylene bag and provided to the lab within 14 days. In the lab, it is stored openly for 7 days below 25 °C. After this period, an aliquot of 60 ± 5 mg is prepared from the stored sample. Trimming the aliquot should aim for a maximum coherent area. It is not the aim to create the largest possible surface area by cutting the aliquot into smaller pieces. The diameter of the sample injection tube should be used first. Length and thickness should be chosen accordingly, considering the specified aliquot weight. The aliquot is directly desorbed using heat and a flow of helium gas. Volatile and semivolatile organic compounds are extracted into the gas stream and cryo-focused prior to the injection into a gas chromatographic (GC) system for analysis. The method comprises two extraction stages: In the analysis of low-boiling substances (LBS) the aliquot is desorbed at 90 °C for 30 min to determine volatile organic compounds in the boiling I elution range up to n-C25 (n-pentacosane). The analysis of high-boiling substances (HBS) involves a further desorption step of the same aliquot at 120 °C for 60 min to determine semi-volatile compounds in the boiling / elution range from n-C14 (n- tetradecane) to n-C32 (n-dotriacontane). Similar to the VOC and FOG value in the VDA 278, the LBS is calculated as toluene equivalent (TE) and the HBS is calculated as hexadecane equivalent (HE) applying a semi-quantitation and a respective calibration. The result is expressed in “pg/g”. Integration parameters for the LBS and HBS evaluation are chosen in such way that the „area reject" corresponds to the area of 1 pg/g (TE and HE, respectively). Thus, smaller peaks do not add to the semi-quantitative result. The GC oven program is kept the same, no matter if a calibration run, an LBS run or an HBS run was performed. It starts at 50 °C (1 min hold), followed by a ramp of 10 °C/min and an end temperature of 320 °C (10 min hold). For the GC column an Agilent DB5: 50 m x 250 pm x 0.25 pm (or comparable) is used. The method requires a Thermal Desorption System TDS 3 (Gerstel) and a Cooled Injection System CIS 4 (Gerstel) as well as a GC system with a flame ionisation detector (FID) but does not involve a mass spectrometer. Instead of 280 °C the CIS end temperature is always set to 380 °C.

Fogging

Fogging is measured according to ISO 75201 , method B on compression moulded specimens (diameter 80 mm +/- 1 mm, thickness 2mm) cut out from an injection moulded plate. Fogging means the evaporation of volatiles matters of trim materials of vehicles. This method evaluates the volatility of organic constituents by gravimetric measurements. The samples were dried at room temperature for 24 h using silica gel in a desiccator. The test was done at 100°C. The beakers have to be closed by using tarred aluminium foils (diameter 103 mm, thickness 0.03 mm) and glass plates and the cooling plates on top. After the testing time (16 h at 100 °C) the glass plates have to be removed (not usefully anymore at this method), the aluminium foils are removed and weighted back. The gravimetric fogging value “G” (%) shall be determined by the following equation:

G = weight of aluminium foil after fogging test - tare of the aluminium foil, in mg G sample = Average in mg of the 2 foils used for each sample

Scratch Resistance

To determine the scratch visibility, a Cross Hatch Cutter Model 420P, manufactured by Erichsen, was used. For the tests, plaques of 70x70x4 mm size were cut from a moulded grained plaque of size 140x200x4 mm (grain parameters: average grain size = 1 mm, grain depth = 0.12 mm, conicity = 6°). The period between injection moulding of specimens and scratch-testing was 7 days. For testing, the specimens must be clamped in a suitable apparatus as described above. Scratches were applied at a force of 10 N using a cylindrical metal pen with a ball shaped end (radius = 0.5 mm ± 0.01 ). A cutting speed of 1000 mm/min was used. A minimum of 20 scratches parallel to each other were brought up at a load of 10 N with a distance of 2 mm. The application of the scratches was repeated perpendicular to each other, so that the result was a scratching screen. The scratching direction should be unidirectional.

The scratch visibility is reported as the difference of the luminance, AL, of the unscratched and the scratched areas. AL values were measured using a spectrophotometer that fulfils the requirements to DIN 5033. A detailed test description of the test method (Erichsen cross hatch cutter method) can be found in the article “Evaluation of scratch resistance in multiphase PP blends” by Thomas Koch and Doris Maehl, published in Polymer Testing, 26 (2007), p. 927-936.

Inorganic residues

Inorganic residues are quantified according to DIN ISO 1172:1996 using a Perkin Elmer TGA 8000. Approximately 10-20 mg of material was placed in a platinum pan. The temperature was equilibrated at 50°C for 10 minutes, and afterwards raised to 950°C under nitrogen at a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The ash content was evaluated as the weight % at 850°C.

Limonene detection

Limonene quantification can be carried out using solid phase microextraction (HS- SPME-GC-MS) by standard addition.

50 mg ground samples are weighed into 20 mL headspace vials and after the addition of limonene in different concentrations and a glass-coated magnetic stir bar, the vial is closed with a magnetic cap lined with silicone/PTFE. Micro capillaries (10 pL) are used to add diluted limonene standards of known concentrations to the sample. Addition of 0, 2, 20 and 100 ng equals 0 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg limonene, in addition standard amounts of 6.6 mg/kg, 11 mg/kg and 16.5 mg/kg limonene is used in combination with some of the samples tested in this application. For quantification, ion-93 acquired in SIM mode is used. Enrichment of the volatile fraction is carried out by headspace solid phase microextraction with a 2 cm stable flex 50/30 pm DVB/Carboxen/PDMS fiber at 60°C for 20 minutes. Desorption is carried out directly in the heated injection port of a GCMS system at 270°C.

GCMS Parameters:

Column: 30 m HP 5 MS 0.25*0.25

Injector: Splitless with 0.75 mm SPME Liner, 270°C

Temperature program: -10°C (1 min)

Carrier gas: Helium 5.0, 31 cm/s linear velocity, constant flow

MS: Single quadrupole, direct interface, 280°C interface temperature Acquisition: SIM scan mode Scan parameter: 20-300 amu

SIM Parameter: m/Z 93, 100 ms dwell time

Static headspace analysis for determination of odorant contents

The parameters of the applied headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS/GC/MS) method are described here.

For the measurement of a standard solution, 5 pl of a standard solution containing 0.072 pg/ml acetaldehyde, 0.208 pg/ml acetic acid, 0.081 pg/ml D-limonene and 1 .499 pg/ml acetone in 2-butanol solvent were injected into a 20 ml HS vial and tightly closed with a PTFE cap. Each HS/GC/MS test sequence of sample measurements included the analysis of such a standard.

The samples were also analysed by HS/GC/MS in order to determine acetaldehyde, acetic acid, D-limonene and acetone. Therefore, aliquots of 2.000 ± 0.100 g of a cryomilled sample were weighed in a 20 ml HS vial and tightly sealed with a PTFE cap. The sample was cut from the middle of an injection-moulded plate with a dimensions of 148.5 x 210 x 3 mm. The plate was produced on an injection-moulding machine Engel ES 1050/250 HL having melting temperature of 240 °C, using holding pressure of 419 bar at 3.5 s. After production, the plates were stored at ambient conditions for 24 h and subsequently packed in Al-bags.

The samples were analysed by HS/GC/MS at 100 °C / 2 h isothermal headspace conditions.

Applied headspace parameters for the analyses of standards and samples differed in the vial equilibration time and the HS oven temperature. Apart from that, method parameters were kept the same for standard and sample runs. The mass spectrometer was operated in scan mode and a total ion chromatogram (TIC) was recorded for each analysis. Identification of substances was supported by deconvolution and a retention time comparison to the respective marker substance in the standard. More detailed information on method parameters and data evaluation software is given below:

• HS parameter (Agilent G1888 Headspace Sampler)

Vial equilibration time: 5 mm (standard), 120 mm (sample)

Oven temperature: 200 °C (standard), 100 °C (sample)

Loop temperature: 205 °C

Transfer line temperature: 210 °C

Low shaking

• GC parameter (Agilent 7890A GC System)

Column: ZB-WAX 7HG-G007-22 (30 m x 250 pm x 1 pm)

Carrier gas: Helium 5.0

Flow: 2 ml/min

Split: 10:1

GC oven program: 35 °C for 0.1 min

10 °C/min until 250 °C

250 °C for 1 min

• MS parameter (Agilent 5975C inert XL MSD)

Acquisition mode: Scan

Scan parameters:

Low mass: 20

High mass: 200

Threshold: 10

• Software/Data evaluation

MSD ChemStation F.01 .03.2357

MSD ChemStation E.02.02.1431

AMDIS GC/MS Analysis Version 2.71

NIST Mass Spectral Library (Version 2011 ) NIST11 .L

Microsoft Excel Versions 2010 and 2016

Data evaluation

For further data evaluation extracted ion chromatograms (EICs) of the measured marker compounds in the standard and in the samples were used. The corresponing target ions are depicted in the below table. Table: Retention times and substance specific target ions of selected marker substances.

The standard concentration of a marker substance in the HS vial (c ^tandard [mg/ m³]) was calculated according to equation 1 , where the marker substance concentration in the liquid standard (c ^tandard [pig/ ml]) was multiplied by the injection volume _{Qf the stanc}|_arc| _anc| divided by the volume of the HS vial (K_c ^ws [mZ]). Here, a HS volume of 20 ml is used by default. Equation 1

For each marker compound in the standard a response factor (Rf) was calculated according to equation 2. Equation 2

Therein, the marker compound concentration is divided by the integrated peak area of the corresponding marker compound in the EIC (Peak area^standard) .

In order to estimate the respective marker compound concentration in the headspace of a sample (c ^ample [mg/ m³]), equation 3 was used. Therefore, the obtained response factor from equation 2 is multiplied by the peak area of the corresponding marker compound in the EIC of the sample run (Peak area^Sample) . Equation 3

Inclusions attributed to automotive paints

The following test method description is summarizing sample preparation by compression molding of films, identification of relevant inclusions (’’inclusions of interest”), IR spectroscopy for chemical identification and computed tomography (CT) for physical characterization. The purpose of this test method is to identify the presence of paint particles in PP compounds based on end-of-life vehicle PP raw materials.

1. Sample preparation

Around 1 -2 grams of polymer compound material taken from real parts or pellets are compressed into films of around 35-70 pm thickness by compression molding providing good visibility of inclusions and enough IR transmittance. The diameter of each compression molded film is around 8 cm. Compression molding is performed at 190°C at around 80 bar pressure.

At least 5 inclusions that are clearly visible under the optical microscope (OM) are identified and individually marked for detailed characterization by IR and CT. Inclusions of interest are chosen by OM such that the size is preferably > 100 pm, that the shape is showing sharp edges and that the color is different from that of the surrounding polymer matrix.

2. Method Description - infrared microscopy (IR)

On the compression molded films, IR microscopic measurements are carried out to identify the chemistry of the inclusions. Two sets of inclusions, viz., “inclusions of interest” and “comparative inclusions” are defined for chemical characterization by IR microscope.

IR microscopic measurements are carried out in Bruker Vertex 70 Spectrometer equipped with Hyperion 200 microscope. Infrared or FT-IR microscopy combines FT-IR spectroscopy with traditional light microscopy. This provides an easy, “point and shoot” approach to chemical analysis of very small structures. Typically, a sample/ film is first visually examined and from there, a region of interest on the film is selected, which in the present case are inclusions for chemical analysis or identification. FTIR spectra are obtained using IR microscope with spectral window between 600 cm^-1 to 4000 cm^-1 and spectral resolution of 2 cm^-1. Spectra are processed with zero filling factor of 32 and Norton Beer strong apodization.

The “inclusions of interests” result in IR spectra with certain specific characteristics. In the FTIR spectra of inclusions of interest, sharp bands at around 700 cm^-1 and 760 cm^-1 are observed. This indicates the presence of styrene modifications (700 cm^-1 : aromatic ring deformation of styrene, 760 cm^-1 : Out-of-plane deformation of the CH of Styrene) [1 ]. Additionally a broad hump is observed for all inclusions of interest at around 3380 cm^-1, which might indicate OH and NH stretching band of acrylate or urethane [2], Further an extremely strong band at around 1700 cm^-1 is observed, which can also indicate the C=O stretching of urethane or acrylic linkages [3, 4], The presence of all these characteristic IR bands are in general found in paints [5]. The IR microscope spectra of “comparative inclusions” does not show the presence of these unique combination of bands. Hence, it can be clearly concluded that the “comparative inclusions” are chemically different from the “inclusions of interest” and that “inclusions of interest” show characteristic IR bands which are indicative for paints used in automotive applications.

3. Method Description - Computed tomography (CT)

CT is carried out to determine the physical information of the marked inclusions. For each inclusion, 3D shape, grey value distribution and average grey value are determined. The source of grey value contrast between paint residues and PP is the color pigments having higher density.

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is performed using a Thermo Fisher Scientific Heliscan MK2 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) device. Around the inclusions, ca. 1 cm wide parts are cut out of the compression molded films. These are stacked on top of each other and scanned all together. The Voxelsize is set to 4.5 pm. The X-ray tube is operated with LaB6 filament, voltage is set to 60 kV, focal spot size is set to medium and a pre-filter made of steel with 0.1 mm thickness is used. The specimens are scanned with Space Filling trajectory.

Together with the specimens, discs with 5 mm in diameter and 500 pm in thickness, made of different polymers, glass and aluminum, are scanned at once. These discs act as reference for the determination of relevant grey value regimes since grey values correlate with density.

The software Avizo for industrial inspection (Thermo Fisher Scientific) is used for data analysis.

The grey value distribution of a inclusion can be inhomogeneous showing pigments with different sizes.

4. Definition of criteria for paint residue identification (“inclusions of interest”) The appearance under the optical microscope is sharp edged and of different color compared to the polymer matrix background.

The IR spectrum contains the features indicating the presence of styrene modifications, acrylates or urethanes in the way as described above.

The CT determined 3D shape of paint residues is sharp edged and platelet-like. Single inclusions can consist of more than one platelet resulting in a multilayered structure.

Paint residues have average CT grey values that are at least 50 % higher compared to the average PP grey value.

Inclusions that are more round shaped or have smooth edges or show grey values below the defined grey value or do not show the characteristic features in the IR spectrum are considered as “comparative inclusion”.

5. References

1. J. Zie.ba-Palus, J. M. Milczarek and P. Ko'scielniak, Anal. Chem., 2008, 53, 109— 121.

2. J. L. Dupuie, W. H. Weber, D. J. Scholl and J. L. Gerlock, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 1997, 57, 339-348.

3. T. Nguyen, J. W. Martin, E. Byrd and E. Embree, Proc. Ann. Meet. Program FSC, 2002, p. 1.

4. K. J. Van der Pal, G. Sauzier, M. Marie, W. Van Bronswijk, K. Pitts and S. W. Lewis, Taianta, 2016, 148, 715-720.

5. A. G. Gomes de Oliveira, E. W. J. de Andrade Gomes, K. Malek, Anal. Methods, 2018, 10, 1203

PCT Application PCT/EP2024/065580 includes figures showing examples of IR spectra and CT pictures, which show examples of inclusions, which fall under the definition of inclusions of interest and comparative inclusions.

Thereby, Fig. 1 and 2 show IR spectra of comparative inclusions and Fig. 3-5 show IR spectra of inclusions of interest.

Further, Fig. 6-8 show CT pictures of comparative inclusions and Fig. 9-12 show CT pictures of inclusions of interest.

2. Polypropylene compositions (PC) 2.1 Propylene Homopolymers 1 and 2 (PPH 1 and 2) a) Preparation of the single site catalyst system

Catalyst for the inventive examples

Catalyst complex

The following metallocene complex has been used as described in WO 2019/179959:

Preparation of MAO-silica support

A steel reactor equipped with a mechanical stirrer and a filter net was flushed with nitrogen and the reactor temperature was set to 20°C. Next silica grade DM-L-303 from AGC Si-Tech Co, pre-calcined at 600°C (5.0 kg) was added from a feeding drum followed by careful pressuring and depressurizing with nitrogen using manual valves. Then toluene (22 kg) was added. The mixture was stirred for 15 min. Next 30 wt.% solution of MAO in toluene (9.0 kg) from Lanxess was added via feed line on the top of the reactor within 70 min. The reaction mixture was then heated up to 90°C and stirred at 90°C for additional two hours. The slurry was allowed to settle and the mother liquor was filtered off. The catalyst was washed twice with toluene (22 kg) at 90°C, following by settling and filtration. The reactor was cooled off to 60°C and the solid was washed with heptane (22.2 kg). Finally MAO treated SiO2 was dried at 60°C under nitrogen flow for 2 hours and then for 5 hours under vacuum (-0.5 barg) with stirring. MAO treated support was collected as a free-flowing white powder found to contain 12.2% Al by weight.

Single site catalyst system (SSCS) preparation

30 wt.% MAO in toluene (0.7 kg) was added into a steel nitrogen blanked reactor via a burette at 20 °C. Toluene (5.4 kg) was then added under stirring. The metallocene complex as described above (93 g) was added from a metal cylinder followed by flushing with 1 kg toluene. The mixture was stirred for 60 minutes at 20°C. Trityl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) borate (91 g) was then added from a metal cylinder followed by a flush with 1 kg of toluene. The mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. The resulting solution was added to a stirred cake of MAO-silica support prepared as described above over 1 hour. The cake was allowed to stay for 12 hours, followed by drying under N2 flow at 60°C for 2 h and additionally for 5 h under vacuum (-0.5 barg) under stirring. Dried catalyst was sampled in the form of pink free flowing powder containing 13.9% Al and 0.11 % Zr. b) Preparation of the propylene homopolymer 1 (PPH 1 ) The preparation of PPH 1 was effected in a multistage polymerization process of a prepolymerization reactor followed by a loop reactor and a gas phase reactor according to the conditions as set out below in Table 1 .

Table 1 : Polymerization conditions of PPH 1 * “MFR2”, “XCS” and “Polymer Split” are measured on a sample taken from the loop reactor, i.e. is the combination of Prepoly Reactor and Loop reactor

** “MFR2” is calculated from the MFR2 measured in the loop reactor and the MFR2 of the pellet using the formula given above defining the measurement of MFR2 c) Properties of PPH 1 and PPH 2 As PPH 2 commercial propylene homopolymer “HJ120UB” of Borealis produced with a 4^th generation Ziegler-Natta catalyst has been used.

The properties of PPH 1 and PPH 2 are shown below in Table 2. Table 2: Properties of PPH 1 and PPH 2

2.2 Mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend (A)

The properties of the mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend are given in Table 3. A-ELV is a mixed-plastic polypropylene recycling blend originating from end-of-life vehicles.

For A-ELV shredded flakes from bumper parts from end of life vehicles were received and pelletized on double-screw extruder using 200 pm melt filter and adding 0.30 wt.-% of a 1 :1 mixture of pentaerythrityl-tetrakis(3-(3’,5’-di-tert. butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)- propionate from BASF and Tris (2,4-di-Fbutylphenyl) phosphite from BASF.

Table 3: Properties of mixed-plastic polypropylene blends n.d. = not detectable, below the detection limit

2.3 Compounding of Inventive and Comparative Compositions

The inventive and comparative compositions were prepared based on the recipes indicated in Table 4 by compounding in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder Coperion ZSK 40 at 220°C.

In addition to the PPHs and the mixed-plastic polypropylene blends described above, the following commercially available components were also employed:

EC an elastomeric ethylene-1 -octene copolymer with a trade name of

Engage 8180, commercially available from Dow Chemicals (USA), having an MFR2 (190 °C) of 0.5 g/10 min and a density of 863 kg/m³.

F talc with a trade name of Jetfine 3CA, commercially available from Imerys

(France), with median diameter d50 of 3.9 pm and top cut diameter d95 of 7.8 pm.

Black MB a polyethylene based masterbatch CBMB LD-09 A02 from Borealis AG (Norway). It contains 40 wt.-% of pigment.

White MB a polyethylene based masterbatch Masterminds PE white 90/1111 from QolorTech (The Netherlands). It contains 70 wt.-% of pigment.

Additives an additive masterbatch, consisting of 2.40 wt.-% of a carrier propylene MB homopolymer with a trade name of HC001 A, commercially available from

Borealis AG (Austria), 0.10 wt.-% of an antioxidant with a trade name of Irgafos 168 (CAS-no. 31570-04-4), available from BASF AG (Germany), 0.25 wt.-% of an antioxidant with a trade name of Irganox 1076 (CAS-no. 2082-79-3), commercially available from BASF AG (Germany), 0.30 wt.- % of bisphenol A-epoxy resin with a trade name of Araldite GT 7072 ES (CAS-no. 25036-25-3), commercially available from Huntsman Corporation (USA), 1 .70 wt.-% of silicon masterbatch i.e. dimethyl siloxane:polypropylene=50:50 from Dow Corning. 0.20 wt.-% of a UV- stabilizer masterbatch with a trade name of Cyasorb UV-3808PP5, commercially available from Cytec Industries, Inc. (USA), and 0.20 wt.-% of a slip agent with a trade name of Crodamide EBS beads (CAS-no. 203- 755-6), commercially available from Croda International (UK).

The properties of the inventive and comparative compositions CE1 and IE1 are given in Table 5. Table 4: Compositions of the polypropylene compositions of IE1 and CE1

Table 5: Properties of the polypropylene compositions of IE1 and CE1

It has surprisingly been found that the polypropylene composition of IE1 shows an improved balance of properties of increased impact properties (Charpy NIS at 23°C and -20°C), scratch resistance, lower emissions and lower fogging at slightly lower stiffness (flexural modulus).

Claims

1 . A polypropylene composition (PC) being a mixed-plastic polypropylene blend, suitable for automotive applications, wherein the polypropylene composition (PC) comprises inclusions attributed to automotive paints, determined on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography; and a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, preferably from 7.5 to 27.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 10.0 to 25.0 wt.-%; wherein the polymeric part of said polypropylene composition (PC) has i. an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined from crystallization extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 10.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 12.5 to 32.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%;

II. a soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX) analysis, in the range from 10.0 to 31 .0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 20.0 to 28.0 wt.-%; said soluble fraction (SF) having an intrinsic viscosity (iV(SF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range of from 1 .00 to less than 1 .80 dL/g, more preferably from 1 .15 to 1 .75 dL/g, most preferably from 1 .25 to 1 .70 dL/g; and an ethylene content (C2(SF)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 50.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably from 52.5 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 54.0 to 70.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 55.0 to 65.0 wt.-%; ill. a crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range of from 69.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 70.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 72.0 to 78.0 wt.-%; and said crystalline fraction (CF) having an ethylene content (C2(CF)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range of from 2.5 to 15.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 3.5 to 12.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 4.5 to 10.0 wt.-%; with both the soluble fraction (SF) content and the crystalline fraction (CF) content expressed as a wt.-% relative to the total weight of the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC), wherein the polypropylene composition (PC) has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 50.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 7.5 to 45 g/10 min, mot preferably from 10.0 to 40 g/10 min.

2. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to claim 1 , wherein the crystalline fraction has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(CF)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range of from 0.90 to 2.10 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .10 to 1 .90 dL/g; and/or the ratio of the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fraction to the intrinsic viscosity of the crystalline fraction (iV(SF)/iV(CF)) is in the range of from 0.90 to 2.00, preferably from 1 .00 to 1 .75, more preferably from 1 .05 to 1 .50; and/or the ratio of the ethylene content of the soluble fraction to the ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(SF)/C2(CF)) is in the range of from 5.0 to 15.0, preferably from 7.5 to 12.5, more preferably from 8.5 to 11 .5; and/or the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) has an intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, preferably in the range from 1 .15 to 1 .85 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 1 .75 dL/g.

3. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to claims 1 or 2, obtainable by meltblending at least components (A), (B), (C), (E) and optionally (D)

(A) 20.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably 25.0 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably 30.0 to 65.0 wt.-%, most preferably 35.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of a mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend;

(B) 5.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, preferably 10.0 to 55.0 wt.-%, more preferably 15.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, most preferably 20.0 to 45.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of a propylene polymer; (C) 1 .0 to 15.0 wt.-%, preferably 2.0 to 12.5 wt.-%, more preferably 3.0 to 10.0 wt.-%, most preferably 4.0 to 8.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of an ethylene-based plastomer; and

• a ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene (PP/PE) of from 1 .5:1 .0 to 9.0:1 .0, preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 7.0:1 .0, more preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 5.0:1 .0;

• a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 6.0 to 27.5 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 7.5 to 25.0 g/10 min; and

• 2,1 regiodefects, determined by ¹³C-NMR, in the range from 0.05 to 1 .25 mol- %, preferably from 0.10 to 1 .00 mol-%, more preferably from 0.20 to 0.90 mol.- %,

• a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 20 to 3000 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 35 to 2500 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 50 to 2000 g/10 min; and the plastomer (C) being an ethylene 1 -octene copolymer or an ethylene 1 -butene copolymer having a density measured according to ISO 1183-1 in the range from 850 to 890 kg/m³, preferably from 855 to 870 kg/m³, more preferably from 857 to 867 kg/m³, most preferably from 860 to 865 kg/m³.

4. A polypropylene composition (PC) comprising

(B) 5.0 to 60.0 wt.-%, preferably 10.0 to 55.0 wt.-%, more preferably 15.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, most preferably 20.0 to 45.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of a propylene polymer;

(E) 0.1 to 10.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.3 to 8.5 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the polypropylene composition (PC), of additives, wherein the mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A), the heterophasic propyleneethylene copolymer (B), the ethylene-based plastomer (C), the talc (D) and the additives (E) make up together 90 to 100 wt.-% of the total polypropylene composition (PC), wherein further the mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A) originates from end-of life vehicle (ELV) recycled feedstock, more preferably from shredded bumpers, and has • a ratio of polypropylene to polyethylene (PP/PE) of from 1 .5:1 .0 to 9.0:1 .0, preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 7.0:1 .0, more preferably from 2.0:1 .0 to 5.0:1 .0; • a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 6.0 to 27.5 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 7.5 to 25.0 g/10 min; and

• a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 230°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 20 to 3000 g/10 min, more preferably in the range from 35 to 2500 g/10 min, most preferably in the range from 50 to 2000 g/10 min; and the plastomer (C) being an ethylene 1 -octene copolymer or an ethylene 1 -butene copolymer having a density measured according to ISO 1183-1 in the range from 850 to 890 kg/m³, preferably from 855 to 870 kg/m³, more preferably from 857 to 867 kg/m³, most preferably from 860 to 865 kg/m³, and the polypropylene composition (PC) has a melt flow rate (MFR2), determined according to ISO 1133 at 230 °C and 2.16 kg, in the range from 5.0 to 50.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 7.5 to 45 g/10 min, most preferably from 10.0 to 40 g/10 min.

5. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the mixed- plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A) further has one or more or all of the following properties:

• comprises inclusions attributed to automotive paints, determined by IR spectroscopy and microscopy, determined on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography;

• a content of derivatives from organic acids and/or organic aldehydes, of 1 to 100 ppm;

• an ethylene content (C2(total)), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 17.5 to 28.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 15.0 to 27.5 wt.-%;

• an intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of from 1 .0 to 2.0 dL/g, more preferably from 1.1 to 1 .9 dL/g, still more preferably from 1 .2 to 1 .8 dL/g;

• a density in the range of 900 to 1100 kg/m³, determined according to ISO 1183.

6. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the polymeric part of the mixed-plastics polypropylene recycling blend (A) has a crystalline fraction (CF) and a soluble fraction (SF) determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), wherein

• the crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from 50.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 55.0 to 82.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 60.0 to 80.0 wt.-%;

• the ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(CF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, is in the range from 2.5 to 25.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 3.5 to 22.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 4.5 to 20.0 wt.-%;

• the intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the crystalline fraction (iV(CF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), in the range from 0.90 to 2.10 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .10 to 1 .90 dL/g;

• the soluble fraction (SF) content soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from 15.0 to 50.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 17.5 to 45.0 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 20.0 to 40.0 wt.-%.;

• the ethylene content of the soluble fraction (C2(SF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy, in the range from 35.0 to 65.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 37.5 to 62.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 40.0 to 60.0 wt.-%; and

• the intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the soluble fraction (iV(SF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), in the range from 1.10 to 2.75 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 2.60 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .40 to 2.50 dL/g.

7. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the propylene polymer (B) has been polymerized in the presence of a single-site catalyst system, preferably a metallocene catalyst system and preferably is a propylene homopolymer.

8. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the ethylene-based plastomer (C) has a melt flow rate MFR2, determined according to ISO 1133 at a temperature of 190°C and a load of 2.16 kg, in the range of from 0.1 to 10.0 g/10 min, more preferably from 0.2 to 5.0 g/10 min, most preferably from 0.3 to 2.5 g/10 min, and/or a melting temperature Tm, determined by DSC, of from 35 to 75°C, preferably from 40 to 65°C, most preferably from 42 to 60°C.

9. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the talc (D) has a median diameter (dso), determined according to ISO 13320-1 (laser), in the range from 1 .0 to 10.0 pm, more preferably in the range from 1 .5 to 8.5 pm, most preferably in the range from 2.5 to 7.0 pm and/or a top cut diameter (dgs), determined according to ISO 13320-1 (laser), in the range from 3.5 to 30.0 pm, more preferably in the range from 5.0 to 25.0 pm, most preferably in the range from 6.5 to 20.0 pm.

10. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC) has a crystalline fraction (CF) and a soluble fraction (SF) determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), wherein

• the crystalline fraction (CF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from 69.0 to 90.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 70.0 to 85.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 72.0 to 78.0 wt.-%;

• the ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(CF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, is in the range from 2.5 to 15.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 3.5 to 12.5 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 4.5 to 10.0 wt.-%;

• the intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the crystalline fraction (iV(CF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from 0.90 to 2.10 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1.10 to 1.90 dL/g;

• the soluble fraction (SF) content, determined by crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from 10.0 to 31 .0 wt.-%, more preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, most preferably from 20.0 to 28.0 wt.-%;

• the ethylene content of the soluble fraction (C2(SF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C- NMR spectroscopy, is in the range from 50.0 to 80.0 wt.-%, preferably in the range from 52.5 to 75.0 wt.-%, more preferably in the range from 54.0 to 70.0 wt.-%, most preferably in the range from 55.0 to 65.0 wt.-%; and

• the intrinsic viscosity, determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , of the soluble fraction (iV(SF)), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), is in the range from

1 .00 to less than 1 .80 dL/g, more preferably in the range from 1 .15 to 1 .75 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 1 .70 dL/g;

• the total ethylene content (C2(total)) of the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC), from crystalline extraction (CRYSTEX), determined by FT-IR spectroscopy calibrated by quantitative ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, is from 10.0 to 35.0 wt.-%, more preferably from 12.5 to 32.5 wt.-%, most preferably from 15.0 to 30.0 wt.-%;

• the intrinsic viscosity (iV(total)) of the polymeric part of the polypropylene composition (PC), determined according to DIN ISO 1628/1 , is in the range from 1 .00 to 2.00 dL/g, preferably in the range from 1 .15 to 1 .85 dL/g, most preferably in the range from 1 .25 to 1 .75 dL/g;

• the ratio of the intrinsic viscosity of the soluble fraction to the intrinsic viscosity of the crystalline fraction (iV(SF)ZiV(CF)) is in the range of from 0.90 to 2.00, preferably from 1 .00 to 1 .75, more preferably from 1 .05 to 1 .50; and/or

• the ratio of the ethylene content of the soluble fraction to the ethylene content of the crystalline fraction (C2(SF)/C2(CF)) is in the range of from 5.0 to 15.0, preferably from 7.5 to 12.5, more preferably from 8.5 to 11 .5.

11 . The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 4 to 10 comprising inclusions attributed to automotive paints, determined on compressed films with a thickness of 35 to 70 pm, wherein the inclusions are identified by optical microscopy, the chemical composition of the inclusions is characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the physical information of the inclusions is characterized by computed tomography and/or a residual ash content, measured by thermogravimetric analysis according to ISO 11358-1 in the range of from 5.0 to 30.0 wt.-%, preferably from 7.5 to 27.5 wt.-%, more preferably from 10.0 to 25.0 wt.- %

12. The polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 having one or more or all of the following properties:

• a flexural modulus, determined according to ISO 178 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 1500 to 2500 MPa, more preferably from 1650 to 2350 MPa, most preferably from 1750 to 2250 MPa;

• a Charpy Notched impact strength at 23 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 10.0 to 45.0 kJ/m², more preferably from 12.5 to 40.0 kJ/m², most preferably from 15.0 to 35.0 kJ/m²;

• a Charpy Notched impact strength at -20 °C, determined according to ISO 179 using 80x10x4 mm³ test bars injection-moulded in line with ISO 19069-2, in the range from 1 .5 to 12.0 kJ/m², more preferably from 2.5 to 10.0 kJ/m², mot preferably from 3.5 to 8.0 kJ/m²; • a content of low boiling substances (LBS), determined by screening of organic emissions by thermos-desorption analysis of not more than 100 pg/g, such as in the range from 5 to 100 pg/g, more preferably in the range from 5 to 75 pg/g, most preferably in the range from 5 to 50 pg/g ;

• a content of high boiling organic substances (HBS), determined by screening of organic emissions by thermo-desorption analysis, in the range from 10 to 250 pg/g, more preferably in the range from 20 to 200 pg/g, most preferably in the range from 30 to 150 pg/g; and

• an amount of fogging, determined according to the ISO 75201 , method B on compression moulded specimens, in the range from 0.05 to 0.75 mg, more preferably in the range from 0.10 to 0.50 mg, most preferably in the range from 0.10 to 0.40 mg.

13. An article, preferably an injection-moulded article, comprising the polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in an amount of at least 95 wt.-%, more preferably at least 98 wt.-%, most preferably at least 99 wt.-%.

14. The article according to claim 13 having a scratch resistance at 10 N in the range from 0.00 to 0.40, preferably from 0.00 to 0.25, more preferably from 0.00 to 0.10.

15. The use of a polypropylene composition (PC) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 for the production of an injection-moulded article, preferably an injection- moulded automotive article, still more preferably an injection-moulded automotive interior article.