Multilayer Article Including Microporous Material Derived From Renewable Polymers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a multilayer article including at least one layer of microporous material including: (a) a polymeric matrix including a renewable polymer and optionally a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer, (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material. At least one layer of the multilayer article includes at least one of a data transmission device, electronic circuitry, antenna, or magnetic material.

Therefore, we claim: 
     
         1 . A multilayer article comprising at least one layer of a microporous material in the form of a sheet, prepared by extruding through a sheeting die a mixture comprising:
 (a) a polymeric matrix comprising a renewable polymer, high density polyethylene, and, optionally, a polyolefin that is the same as or different from the renewable polymer and the polyethylene,   (b) finely divided, particulate filler distributed throughout the matrix, and   (c) at least 35 percent by volume of a network of interconnecting pores communicating throughout the microporous material,
 wherein the renewable polymer comprises a starch-derived polymer, polylactic acid, cellulose, a polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyesters derived from corn resins, a polyurethane derived from soy oil or castor oil, polyethylene derived from sugar cane, thermoplastic starch, a polylactide, and/or poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid, and 
 wherein at least one layer of the multilayer article comprises at least one of a data transmission device, electronic circuitry, antenna, or magnetic material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The multilayer article of  claim 1 , wherein 1 to 10 percent by weight of the matrix comprises the renewable polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The multilayer article of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a plastomer and/or a polymer different from the plastomer which polymer is derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. 
     
     
         4 . The multilayer article of  claim 3 , wherein the matrix comprises a plastomer derived from butene, hexene, and/or octene. 
     
     
         5 . The multilayer article of  claim 3 , wherein the matrix comprises a polymer different from the plastomer derived from ethylene, propylene, and/or butene. 
     
     
         6 . The multilayer article of  claim 1 , wherein the filler comprises a siliceous filler, talc, carbon black, charcoal, graphite, titanium oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, zirconia, magnesia, alumina, molybdenum disulfide, zinc sulfide, barium sulfate, strontium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and/or magnesium carbonate. 
     
     
         7 . The multilayer article of  claim 1 , wherein the microporous material further comprises a biodegradation promoting material distributed throughout the matrix, thereby rendering the microporous material compostable and/or biodegradable. 
     
     
         8 . The multilayer article of  claim 7 , wherein the biodegradation promoting material comprises a catalytic transition metal compound, a metal stearate, and/or a metal chelate. 
     
     
         9 . The multilayer article of  claim 9 , further comprising an adhesive.