Abstract: The present invention relates to an antimicrobial material consisting of particles comprising an antimicrobial agent (A) and a carrier (B), wherein: the antimicrobial material is a granular material; at least 90% w/w of the particles have a particle size in the range of from 1.0 mm up to and including 8.0 mm measured according to the method DIN 66165-1/-2; at least 90% w/w of the particles have an aspect ratio R, equal to or lower than 8; the antimicrobial agent (A) comprises elemental silver nanoparticles; the antimicrobial agent (A) is present in an amount in the range of from 0.001% w/w up to and including 2% w/w on antimicrobial material; the carrier (B) is a polymer comprising a polyamide; the carrier (B) is present in an amount in the range of from 98% w/w up to and including 99.999% w/w on antimicrobial material. The invention further relates to an article comprising the granular antimicrobial material, a device comprising the granular antimicrobial material or the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coating composition comprising an antimicrobial hydrophilic copolymer consisting of a macromer and a comonomer, the use of said coating composition in medical applications and, in particular in a medical device and to a medical device comprising the coating composition, preferably selected from catheters, endoscopes, laryngoscopes, tubes for feeding or drainage or endotracheal use or oesophageal use. The coating composition can further comprise a hydrophilic polymer, a polyelectrolyte and a photo-initiator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymer composition, the process comprising a step of contacting a polymer that comprises carboxyl groups with a cyclic imino ether compound characterized in that the cyclic imino ether compound is a phenylene oxazine according to formula (I), in which formula R=an oxazine group according to formula (II) n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and that the polymer is contacted with said oxazine in an extruder at a temperature above 100° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of an isotropic polymeric network comprising multifunctional molecules with a functionality of at least 5 by reacting in a solvent the multifunctional molecules with a coupling agent, wherein the coupling agent is present in an amount which is sufficient to couple the multifunctional molecules to at least 5 other multifunctional molecules and wherein the sum, ?, of the amounts of the multifunctional molecules and coupling agent per unit of volume, in kg/m3, is at least equal to the value as given by expression (I) in which a=0.2 d=the diameter of the multifunctional molecule, including the length of the bonds to the middle of atoms of the coupling agent to which it is attached. L=the length of the coupling agent, measured between the middle of the atoms that are connected to the multifunctional molecule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a high-molecular polycondensate, i.e. a polyester, a polyamide, a polyester-amide, a polycarbonate, a polyether or a block copolymer by melt-mixing a polyester, a polyamide, a polycarbonate, a polyether or a mixture of at least two of these said polycondensates with a carbonyl bislactam according to formula (I) in which formula n is an integer of between 3 and 15, and a diepoxide. Preferably said diepoxide is a compound containing epoxy radicals of formula (II), which radicals are linked direct to carbon, oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atoms, wherein R1 and R3 are both hydrogen, R2 is hydrogen or methyl, and m=0, or wherein R1 and R3, taken together, are —CH2—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH2—, in which case R2 is hydrogen and m=0 or 1. The present invention results in a more stable process for the production of a polycondensate with a high molecular mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymer composition, the process comprising a step of contacting a polymer that comprises carboxyl groups with a cyclic imino ether compound characterized in that the cyclic imino ether compound is a phenylene oxazine according to formula (I), in which formula R=an oxazine group according to formula (II) n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and that the polymer is contacted with said oxazine in an extruder at a temperature above 100° C.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing urea-containing polymers by contacting a hydroxy-functional organic compound having a functionality of two or more, with a coupling agent in the presence of a strong base, wherein the coupling agent is a carbonylbislactam compound having the general formula (I): wherein n is an integer from 3 to 15, and that the contacting is conducted at a temperature between 0° C. and 80° C. The polymers thus obtained are believed to be new and are useful e.g. in tissue engineering and coatings applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of ethylenically unsaturated lactam-blocked isocyanate compounds, by reacting an unsaturated amine-functional or hydroxy-functional compound with carbonylbislactam. These compounds can be polymerised and are subsequently cured by the built-in crosslinker to form thermosetting polymers which can be applied for instance in powder coatings.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a functionalized polymer containing an additive, in which process there is formed a compound that contains, besides at least one blocked isocyanate group, a free amino, hydroxy or carboxy group; this compound is linked to an additive via the free amino, hydroxy or carboxy group in the additive; this additive linked to the compound mentioned is contacted with a polymer that contains at least one free amino or hydroxyl group, at a temperature above the polymer's melting point and at least above (150)° C., such that the blocked isocyanate group reacts with the free amino or hydroxy group of the polymer to form the functionalized polymer. The invention also relates to the intermediate products formed in the process and in the preparation thereof. Lasdy, the invention relates to functionalized polymers and polymer compositions containing the functionalized polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a high-molecular polyamide or polyester or copolyester by melt-mixing polyamide or polyester or copolyester having a lower molecular weight with a blocked diisocyanate having the following formula. wherein R=linear, branched or cyclo aliphatic C2-C20 or aromatic C6-C20 and B1, B2=Caprolactam, Imidazole, dimethyl-pyrazole, triazole, oxim, malonic acid ester, ethylacetylacetonate, phenol, cresol, aliphatic alcohol, secundary amine, hydroxy benzoic acid methyl ester. With the process according to the invention a permanent increase in the molecular weight of a polyamide is obtained within 2 minutes, whereas this takes at least 10 minutes under comparable conditions using a blocked isocyanate according to the state of the art.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer composition as well as to a process for the preparation of such a composition wherein two or more essentially incompatible polymers, each containing functional hydroxy groups and/or functional amino groups, are in contact with each other in the presence of at least one compatibilizer, the compatibilizer being a carbonyl bislactam (CBL) having the structure according to formula (I), where n is an integer from 3 to 15 and preferably 5. Preferably, the compatibilizer is carbonyl biscaprolactam. Depending on the ratio of the number of functional —OH or —NH2 groups to the CBL, the composition can be used as a polymer dispersion, for instance for improvement of the impact resistance or of the VICAT, or as a copolymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a high-molecular polyamide or polyester by melt-mixing polyamide or polyester having a lower molecular weight with a carbonyl bislactam having formula 1, in which n=an integer of between 3 and 15. With the process according to the invention a permanent increase in the molecular weight of a polyamide is obtained within 2 minutes, whereas this takes at least 10 minutes under comparable conditions using a bislactam according to the state of the art.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound comprising a reaction product of (A) an isocyanate functional compound of which at least 40 wt. %, relative to the total amount of (A), has a molecular weight of at least about 500, and (B) a nitrogen-containing compound capable of reacting with said isocyanate functional compound (A). The reaction product has a molecular weight of less then about 20,000 and comprises an effective amount of groups that are able to form reversible intermolecular physical interactions such that a resulting compound shows polymeric mechanical properties at a temperature below a transition temperature. The nitrogen-containing compound is, for instance, melamine, urea, acetoguanamine, benzoguanamine, cyanamide, dicyanamide, thiourea, isocytosine, pyrimidone or aminopyridine. The supramolecular compound comprising a suitable amount of the reaction products exhibits a relatively high elongation at break.

Abstract: A powder paint binder composition is useful for the preparation of a powder paint composition which includes, as crosslinking agent, an aromatic bisoxazoline obtained by reacting an aromatic carboxylic acid or an ester thereof with an alkanolamine to obtain an hydroxylamide. The hydroxyalkylamide is converted into an aromatic bisoxazoline in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst includes phosphinic acid, (C1-C26) alkyl phosphinic acid, (C6-C20) aryl phosphinic acid or an ester or an anhydride derived from one of these acids. Powder paint compositions including the powder paint binder composition form coatings by curing the powder paint. The aromatic bisoxazlines are also useful as chain-extending agents for polymers such as polyamides and polyesters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aromatic bisoxazoline in which, in a first step, an aromatic carboxylic acid or an ester hereof reacts with an alkanolamine, after which the hydroxyalkylamide obtained is in a second step converted into an aromatic bisoxazoline in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is phosphinic acid, a (C1-C26) alkyl phosphinic acid, a (C6-C20)aryl phosphinic acid or an ester or an anhydride derived from one of these acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a high-molecular polymer by contacting in a melt a difunctional lowermolecular polymer whose functional end groups are —OH or —NH2 groups with carbonylbislactamate, characterized in that the melt also contains an acid or a base as a catalyst. If the difunctional polymer contains a —COOH group, it is preferred for the melt also to contain a bisoxazine or a bisoxazoline.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a branched polymer by contacting a monofunctional or difunctional polymer whose functional group is at least an —OH or an —NH2 group with a multifunctional compound RYn, where n>2 and Y is an —OH group, an —NHm group where m=1,2 or a —COOH group and R is an alkyl, an aryl group or a cyclic group and in which the Y groups need not be the same and in which carbonyl bislactamate is also present.

Abstract: The invention is related to a thermosetting composition containing a functional resin with —OH or —NH2 groups, a functionality of more than 2, and a crosslinking agent, wherein the crosslinking agent is a carbonylbislactamate. The composition preferably contains also an acid or a base as a catalyst. The invention further relates to the use of a carbonylbislactamate for curing of a functional resin with —OH or —NH2 groups and a functionality of more than 2.

Abstract: A process for production of a polyolefin-based composite material of high rigidity, containing a polyolefin and a layered clay, involves impregnating a layered, swellable clay which is interstratified with a tetraalkyl cation, with at least one polymerizable monomer and then mixing this impregnated clay with a polyolefin and a peroxide, at a temperature above the melting point of the polyolefin. A polyolefin-based composite material containing 98-50 wt. % of a polyolefin, 1-50 wt. % of another homo- or copolymer and 1-50 wt. % of a layered clay, wherein the ratio between the modulus of elasticity of the material and that of the initial polyolefin, at a temperature which is 30° C. below the melting temperature of the polyolefin, is higher than or equal to 1 has high rigidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a high-molecular polyamide or polyester by melt-mixing polyamide or polyester having a lower molecular weight with a carbonyl bislactam having formula 1, in which n=an integer of between 3 and 15.