Title of Invention

POLYMER COMPOSITION FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS AND PROCESS FOR ENHANCING PLANT GROWTH

Abstract The instant invention relates to a thermoplastic polymer composition useful in greenhouse films to enhance plant growth or in general bio-mass production. Further aspects of the invention are a process for enhancing plant growth in greenhouses by incorporating a photoactive additive together with light stabilizers into the greenhouse film and the use of the condensation product of dialkylamino benzaldehyde and barbituric acid together with light stabilizers as a plant growth enhancing additive in polymeric greenhouse films.
Full Text

Composition and Process for Enhancing Bio-Mass Production in Greenhouses.
The instant invention relates to a thermoplastic polymer composition useful in greenhouse
films to enhance plant growth or in general bio-rnass production. Further aspects of the invention are a process for enhancing plant growth in greenhouses by incorporating a photoactive additive together with light stabilizers into the greenhouse film and the use of the condensation product of dialkylamino benzaldehyde and barbituric acid together with light stabilizers as a plant growth enhancing additive in polymeric greenhouse films.
It is well known in the art that some types of crops are degraded by the UV-components of solar radiation, which must be filtered off to obtain high quality and productivity of the crops. Additionally, some microorganisms, e.g. Botrytis Cinerea, as well as some harmful insects, e.g. white flies, aphides, thrips or leafminers, can proliferate under specific UV-irradiation. These pests can be significantly reduced when UV light does not or to less extent reach the plants. [R Reuveni et al, Development of photoselective PE films for control of foliar pathogens in greenhouse-grown crops, Plasticulture No, 102, p. 7 (1994); Y. Antignus et aL, The use of UV absorbing plastic sheets to protect crops against insects and spread of virus diseases, CIPA Congress March 1997, pp,23'33\. On the other hand, bee activity, requiring a certain band of UV radiation, needs to be retained in greenhouses in order to ensure fructification on flowering plants, e.g. tomato, cucumber, pumpkin etc.
Plant growth is regulated by photosynthesis, photomorphogenesis and the photoperiodicity. All these processes require light and contribute in a unique way to the plant development. If the spectrum of the outside solar radiation can be significantly modified by the optical properties of the agricultural film covering a greenhouse, a change in plant growth may occur. Changes in the radiation transmitted by the agricultural film induce photo-synthetic and photo-morphogenic effects and can result in modifications of the architecture and shape of the plants with significant consequence on the value of the crop.
The condensation product of dialkylamino benzaldehyde and barbituric acid enhances plant growth in greenhouses, when incorporated into the thermoplastic polymer film covering the greenhouse. A part of the near UV light is filtered out by this condensation product and transformed into fluorescent light of substantially longer wavelength, which is believed to be responsible for the faster growth of many plants.

This condensation product alone is photochemical not sufficiently stable to ensure the desired effect for a certain time. It has now been surprisingly found that the combined use of the condensation product with a UV-absorber or/and with a sterically hindered amine significantly prolongs the lifetime of the polymer film. The fluorescence of the condensation product remains high and the plant growth effect is retained over a long time. Although the UV-absorber filters off UV light from the fluorescing condensation product, the fluorescence yield of the latter remains high enough to ensure the desired plant growth effect. The condensation product itself is colored absorbing mainly in the near UV range, whereas the Stokes shift of the fluorescence light is large, emitting light of reddish color. This fluorescence increases the light transmitted in the red region of the visible light spectrum (maximum emission approximately at 635 nm) with significant effects on crop's yield and quality, such as stem's length, thickness and growing cycle.
The product is very good compatible with a variety of polymers and with other frequently used additives.
One aspect of the invention is a polymer composition for agricultural applications in the form of films for greenhouses and small tunnel covers, films or filaments for shading nets and screens, mulch films, non-wovens or molded articles for the protection of young plants comprising
a) a thermoplastic polymer;

c1) a UV-absorber; or
c2) a sterically hindered amine, containing at least one radical of the formula


Preferably the UV-absorber is selected from the group consisting of benzotriazole UV-absorbers, benzophenone UV-absorbers, hydroxyphenyl-triazine UV-absorbers and oxalic anilide UV-absorbers or mixtures thereof.
In a specific embodiment of the invention the hydroxybenzophenone is of formula I



in the compounds of the formula (I) v is an integer from 1 to 3 and w is 1 or 2 and the substituents Z independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbon atoms;
in the compounds of the formula (lla),
R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in
the alkyl moiety, cycloalkyi having 5 to 8 carbon atoms or a radical of the formula


R4 and R5 independently of one another are alkyl having in each case 1 to 5 carbon atoms,
or R4, together with the radical CnH2n+i-mi forms a cycloalkyi radical having 5 to 12 carbon
atoms,
m is 1 or 2. n is an integer from 2 to 20 and
M is a radical of the formula -COORe in which
Re is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl having in each case 1 to 20
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and in the alkoxy moiety or phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon
atoms in the alkyl moiety,
R2 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and phenylalkyi having 1 to 4
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and
R3 is hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl or alkoxy having in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms or -COORe
in which R6 is as defined above, at least one of the radicals R1 and R2 being other than
hydrogen;
in the compounds of the formula (lib)
T is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
T1 is hydrogen, chlorine or alkyl or alkoxy having in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
n is 1 or 2 and,
if n is 1,

in which
T3 is hydrogen, alkyl which has 1 to 18 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 hydroxy! groups or by -OCOT8. alkyl which has 3 to 18 carbon atoms, is interrupted once or several times by -O- or -NT8- and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl or -OCOTe, cycloalkyi which has 5 to 12 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl and/or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl which has 2 to 18 carbon atoms and is

unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl

T4 and T5 independently of one another are hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms,
alkyl which has 3 to 18 carbon atoms and is iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O- or
NT6-, cycloalkyi having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alkyl
having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety or hydroxyalkyi having 2 to 4 carbon atoms,
TQ is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyi having 5 to 12 carbon atoms,
alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alkyl having 1 to 4
carbon atoms, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,
T7 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl which is unsubstituted or
substituted by hydroxyl, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or -
CH2OT8,
Ts is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyi having
5 to 10 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon
atoms, or phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,
Tg is alkylene having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenylene having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, alkynylene
having 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexylene, alkylene which has 2 to 8 carbon atoms and is
iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O-, or a radical of the formula -
CH2CH(OH)CH2OT11OCH2CH(OH)CH2- or -CH2-C(CH2OH)2-CH2-,
Tiois alkylene which has 2 to 20 carbon atoms and can be iNT6rrupted once or several times
by -O-, or cyclohexylene,
T11 is alkylene having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkylene which has 2 to 18 carbon atoms and is
iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O-, 1,3-cyclohexylene, 1.4-cyclohexylene. 1,3-
phenylene or 1.4-phenylene, or
T10 and Te, together with the two nitrogen atoms, are a piperazine ring;
in the compounds of formula (lie)
R'2 is CrCi2alkyl and k is a number from 1 to 4;
in the compounds of the formula (III)
u is 1 or 2 and r is an iNT6ger from 1 to 3, the substituents

Y1 independently of one another are hydrogen, hydroxyl, phenyl, or halogen, halogenomethyl, alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which is substituted by a group -C00(C1-C18alkyl);
if u is 1,
Ya is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by
hydroxyl, halogen, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
alkyl which has 1 to 12 carbon atoms and is substituted by -COOH, -COOYs, -CONH2, -
CONHY9, -CONY9Y10, -NH2. -NHY9, -NY9Y10, -NHCOY11. -CN and/or -OCOYn;
alkyl which has 4 to 20 carbon atoms, is iNT6rrupted by one or more oxygen atoms and is
unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl
having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, glycidyl, cyclohexyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by
hydroxyl, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or -OCOYu, phenylalkY1 which has 1 to 5
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, chlorine
and/or methyl, -COY12 or -SO2Y13, or,
if u is 2,
Y2 is alkylene having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, alkenylene having 4 to 12 carbon atoms,
xylylene, alkylene which has 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is iNT6rrupted by one or more -O- atoms
and/or is substituted by hydroxyl. -CH2GH(OH)CH2-O-Y15-OCH2CH(OH)CH2, -CO-Y16-C0-. -
CO-NH-Y17-NH-CO- or -(CH2)m-C02-Y18-OCO-(CH2)m. in which
m is 1, 2 or 3,
Ye is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 18 carbon atoms, alkyl which has
3 to 20 carbon atoms, is iNT6rrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms or -NT6- and/or is
substituted by hydroxyl, alkyl which has 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is substituted by -
P(O)(OY14)2, -NY9Y10 or -OCOY11 and/or hydroxyl, alkenyl having 3 to 18 carbon atoms,
glycidyl, or phenylalkY1 having 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,
Yg and Y1o independently of one another are alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl
having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, dialkylaminoalkY1 having 4 to 16 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl
having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or Yg and Y10 together are alkylene, oxaalkylene or azaalkylene
having in each case 3 to 9 carbon atoms,
Y11 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms or phenyl,
Y12 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl, alkoxy
having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylamino having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or
phenylamino,

Y13 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl or alkylphenyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in
the alkyl radical,
Y14 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or phenyl,
Y15 is alkylene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, phenylene or a group -phenylene-M-phenylene-
in which M is -O-, -S-, -SO2-, -CH2- or -C(CH3)2-,
Y16 is alkylene, oxaalkylene or thiaalkylene having in each case 2 to 10 carbon atoms,
phenylene or alkenylene having 2 to 6 carbon atoms,
Y17 is alkylene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, phenylene or alkylphenylene having 1 to 11
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and
Y18 is alkylene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or alkylene which has 4 to 20 carbon atoms and
is iNT6rrupted once or several times by oxygen;
in the compounds of the formula (IV) x is an iNT6ger from 1 to 3 and the substituents L independently of one another are hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio having in each case 1 to 22 carbon atoms, phenoxy or phenylthio.
C1-C18alkY1 may be linear or branched. Examples of alkyl having up to 18 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1,3-trimethyl-hexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl, 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl. tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl and octadecyl.
In the compounds of the formula (lla) Ri can be hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl and eicosyl and also corresponding branched isomers. Furthermore, in addition to phenylalkY1 having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, for example benzyl, R1 can also be cycloalkY1 having 5 to 8 carbon atoms, for example
R4
cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cyclooctyl, or a radical of the formula —|—c nH2n+1 -Mm in
R5
which R4 and R5 independently of one another are alkyl having in each case 1 to 5 carbon atoms, in particular methyl, or R4, together with the CnH2n+i-m radical, forms a cycloalkY1 radical having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, for example cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl and cyclodecyl. M is

a radical of the formula -COOR6 in which R6 is not only hydrogen but also alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or alkoxyalkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms in each of the alkyl and alkoxy moieties. Suitable alkyl radicals R6 are those enumerated for Ri, Examples of suitable alkoxyalkyl groups are -C2H4OC2H5, -C2H4OC8H17 and -C4H8OC4H9. As phenylalkY1 having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, Re is, for example, benzyl, cumyl, a-methylbenzyl or phenylbutyl.
In addition to hydrogen and halogen, for example chlorine and bromine, R2 can also be alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of such alkyl radicals are indicated in the definitions of R1. R2 can also be phenylalkY1 having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, for example benzyl, a-methylbenzyl and cumyl.
Halogen as a substituent means in all cases fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, preferably chlorine or bromine and more preferably chlorine.
At least one of the radicals R1 and R2 must be other than hydrogen.
In addition to hydrogen or chlorine, R3 is also alkyl or alkoxy having in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, butyl, methoxy and ethoxy, and also -COORe.
In the compounds of the formula (lib) T is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl and butyl, Ti is not only hydrogen or chlorine, but also alkyl or alkoxy having in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, methoxy and butoxy, and, if n is 1, T2 is chlorine or a radical of the formula -OT3 or -NT4T5. T3 is here hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms (of. the definition of Ri). These alkyl radicals can be substituted by 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups or by a radical -OCOTe- Furthermore, T3 can be alkyl having 3 to 18 carbon atoms (cf. the definition of Ri) which is iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O- or -NT6- and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl or -OCOTe. Examples of T3 as cycloalkY1 are cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclooctyl. T3 can also be alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable alkenyl radicals are derived from the alkyl radicals enumerated in the definitions of Ri. These alkenyl radicals can be substituted by hydroxy!. Examples of T3 as phenylalkY1 are benzyl, phenylethyl, cumyl, a-methylbenzyl or benzyl. T3 can also be a radical of the formula


Like T3, T4 and T5 can, independently of one another, be not only hydrogen but also alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms or alkyl which has 3 to 18 carbon atoms and is iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O- or -NTs-. T4 and T5 can also be cycloalkY1 having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, for example cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cyclooctyl. Examples of T4 and Tsas alkenyl groups can be found in the illustrations of T3. Examples of T4 and T5 as phenylalkY1 having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety are benzyl or phenylbutyl. Finally, these substituents can also be hydroxyalkY1 having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

In addition to hydrogen, Te (see above also) is alkyl, cycloalkY1, alkenyl, aryl or phenylalkY1; examples of such radicals have already been given above.
In addition to hydrogen and the phenylalkY1 radicals and long-chain alkyl radicals mentioned above, T7 can be phenyl or hydroxyphenyl and also -CH2OT8 in which Ts can be one of the alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkY1, aryl or phenylalkY1 radicals enumerated.
The divalent radical T9 can be alkylene having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and such radicals can also be branched. This also applies to the alkenylene and alkynylene radicals Tg. As well as cyclohexylene, T9 can also be a radical of the formula -CH2CH(OH)CH2OTiiOCH2CH(OH)CH2- or -CH2-C(CH20H)2-CH2-.
T10 is a divalent radical and, in addition to cyclohexylene, is also alkylene which has 2 to 20 carbon atoms and which can be iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O-. Suitable alkylene radicals are derived from the alkyl radicals mentioned in the definitions of Ri.
T11 is also an alkylene radical. It contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms or, if it is iNT6rrupted once or several times by -O-, 4 to 10 carbon atoms. Tn is also 1,3-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-phenylene or 1,4-phenylene.
Together with the two nitrogen atoms, T6 and T10 can also be a piperazine ring.






Examples of alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl. tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3-climethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethyl-hexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl.
Examples of alkoxy having up to 12 carbon atoms are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, hexoxy, heptoxy, octoxy, decyloxy, dodecyloxy.
Examples of alkenoxy are propenyloxy, butenyloxy, peNT6nyloxy and hexenyloxy.
Examples of C5-C12cycloalkY1 are cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl and cyclo-dodecyl. C5-C8Cycloaikyl, especially cyclohexyl, is preferred.
Ci-C4Alkyl-substituted C3-C12cycloalkY1 is for example methylcyclohexyl or dimethyl-cyclohexyl.
OH- and/or CrCioalkyl-substituted phenyl is for example methylphenyl, dimethylphenyl, trimethylphenyl, tert-butylphenyl or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl.
Alkoxy-substituted phenyl is for example methoxyphenyl dimethoxyphenyl or trimethoxy-

phenyl.
Examples of C7-C9phenylalkY1 are benzyl and phenylethyl.
C7-C9PhenylalkY1 which is substituted on the phenyl radical by -OH and/or by alkyl having up to 10 carbon atoms is for example methylbenzyl, dimethylbenzyl, trimethylbenzyl, tert-butylbenzyl or 3»5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl.
Examples of alkenyl are allyl. 2-methallyl, butenyl. peNT6nyl and hexenyl. Ally! is preferred. The carbon atom in position 1 is preferably saturated.
Examples of alkylene are methylene, ethylene, propylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene, hexamethylene, trimethylhexamethylene, octa-methylene and decamethylene.
Examples of alkenylene are butenylene, peNT6nylene and hexenylene.
C6-C12 arylene is preferably phenylene,
Alkyl iNT6rrupted by O is for example -CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH3, -CH2-CH2-O-CH3- or -CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH3-. It is preferably derived from polyethlene glycol. A general description is -((CH2)a-O)b-H/CH3, wherein a is a number from 1 to 6 and b is a number from 2 to 10.
C2-C10 oxaalkylene and C2-CiothiaalkY1ene can be deduced from the above mentioned alkylene groups by substituting one or more carbon atoms by an oxygen atom or a sulphur atom.
Specific examples of 2-hydroxybenzophenones are for example the 4-hydroxy, 4-methoxy, 4-octyloxy, 4-decyloxy, 4-dodecyloxy, 4-benzyloxy, 4,2',4'-trihydroxy and 2'-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy derivatives.
Specific examples of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazoles are for example 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(5'-tert-

butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2'"hydroxy-5'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)ben-zotriazole, 2-(3\5'-di-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl- 2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-sec-butyl-5'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxyphe-nyl)benzotriazole, 2-(2*-hydroxy-4'-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3',5'-di-tert-amyl-2'-hy" droxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3,5'-bis-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorO"benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-carbonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl"2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'"hydroxy" 5'-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-5'-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)car*-bonylethyl]-2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3'-dodecyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzo-triazole, 2-(3'-tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-(2-isooctyloxycarbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole, 2,2'-methylene"bis[4"(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazole-2-ylphenol]; the transesterification product of 2"[3'-tert-butyl-5'-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2'-hydroxyphenyl]"2H-benzotriazole
with polyethylene glycol 300; [R—CHgCHg-COO-CHgCHg-}- where R = 3'-tert-butyl-4'-
hydroxy-5'-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl, 2-[2'-hydroxy"3'-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)-5'-(1,1,3,3-tetra-methylbutyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole; 2-[2'-hydroxy-3'-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutY1)-5'-(a,a-dime-thylbenzyl)-phenyl]benzotriazole.
Specific examples of 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazines are for example 2,4,6-tris(2-
hydroxy-4"Octyloxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-dime-
thylphenyl)-1.3.5-triazine, 2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2.4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine,
2,4-bis(2-hydroxy-4-propyloxyphenyl)-6-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine. 2-(2-hydroxy-4-
octyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxyphenyl)-
4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-tridecyloxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(2,4-
dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-butyloxy-propoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3-octyloxy-propyloxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-[4"(dodecyloxy/tridecyloxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-hydroxy-phenyl]"4,6-bis(2.4-dimethylphenyl)"1.3,5-triazine, 2-[2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-3"dodecyloxy-propoxy)phenyl]-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine. 2-(2-hydroxy-4-hexyloxy)phenyl-4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl"1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris[2-hydroxy-4-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)phenyl]-1,3,5-triazine. 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine, 2-{2-hydroxy-4-[3-(2-ethylhexyl-1 -oxy)-2-hydroxy-

propyloxy]phenyl}-4,6-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-1,3,5-triazine and 2-(2-hydroxy-4-(2-ethyl-hexyl)oxy)phenyl-4,6-di(4-phenyl)phenyl-1,3,5-triazine.
For instance the hydroxyphenyl-triazine UV-absorbers are of formulae:









The hydroxyphenyl triazine UV-absorbers are known and partially items of commerce. They can be prepared according to the above documents.
Yet in another embodiment of the invention oligomeric or polymeric hydroxyphenyl triazines may be used, in particular those of formula (lllc)

-[A-L-D-LV (lllc)
in which
X is a number from 1 to 50; A is a group of the formula (lllb)

or has one of the meanings given for D, wherein formula (lllc) contains at least one A
conforming to formula (lllb);
D is a divalent residue containing 2 to 60 carbon atoms comprising an aliphatic,
cycloaliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, or said aliphatic residue substituted by OH or
iNT6rrupted by O or both substituted by OH and iNT6rrupted by O; and in case that D bonds to
the carbon atom of L, D also comprises methylene or a direct bond;
L stands for an ester linkage group;
the R401 are independently of each other H, OR407 or OH, with the proviso that at least one of
R401 or R413 is OH;
the R407 are independently of each other hydrogen, C1-C12alkyl or a radical of formula (III)





The hydroxyphenyl triazine UV-absorbers are known and can be prepared according to WO 03/004557. Further oligomeric or polymeric UV-absorbers are for example disclosed in WO 01/62821.
Specific examples for oxamides are for example 4,4'-dioctyloxyoxanilide, 2,2'-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2'-dioctyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2,2'-didodecyloxy-5,5'-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyloxanilide, N,N'-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide, 2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2'-ethoxanilide and its mixture with 2-ethoxy-2'-ethyl-5,4'-di-tert-butoxanilide, mixtures of o- and p-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of o- and p-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.
The above mentioned UV-absorbers are largely items of commerce and for example known as Tinuvin® 326, 327, 328, 350, 360 or Chimassorb® 81 from Ciba Specialty Chemicals or Cyasorb® 1164 from Cytech Inc.
In many cases it may be of advantage to use a combination of UV-absorbers from different classes, such as for example a benzophenone UV-absorber with a benzotriazole UV-absorber or a hydroxyphenyltriazine UV-absorber with a benzotriazole UV-absorber. If such a combination is used, the weight ratio between both UV-absorbers is for example from 1:5 to 5:1, for instanc from 1:3 to 3:1, particularly 1:1,5 to 1.5:1.
The total amount of UV-absorber is for example from 0.005 to 5%, preferably from 0.1 to 2% and particularly from 0.2 to 1.5% based on the weight of the polymer.

For instance the weight ratio of the condensation product, component b) to the UV-absorber, component c1) is from 10:1 to 1:10, for example from 5:1 to 1:5 and in particular from 3:1 to 1:3.

The sterically hindered amine light stabilizer useful in the instant invention is preferably a compound of formulae (A-1) to (A-10) or of formulae (B-1) to (B-10);



in which
two of the radicals E7 are -COO-(CrC2oalkyl), and
two of the radicals E7 are a group of the formula (a-ll)

with E8 having one of the meanings of E1; (a-3) a compound of the formula (A-3)

(a-4) a compound of the formula (A-4)


(α-7) a compound of the formula (A-7)




wherein the radicals E27 independently of one another are C2-C12alkylene, and the radicals E28 independently of one another are C1-C12alkY1 or C5-C12cycIoalkyl;
(α-10) a compound of the formula (A-10)

(p-1) a compound of the formula (B-1)


(p-2) a compound of the formula (B-2)


in which
R214 is C1-C10alkY1, C5-C12cycloalkY1, Ci-C4alkyl-substitutecl C5-C12cycloalkY1, phenyl or
CrCioalkyl-substituted phenyl,

D3 IS a numoer irom i lo ou;
(P-5) a compound of the formula (B-5)


(P-6) a product (B-6) obtainable by reacting a product, obtained by reaction of a polyamine of the formula (B-6-1) with cyanuric chloride, with a compound of the formula (B-6-2)

(P-7) a compound of the formula (B-7)


wherein A1 is hydrogen or C1-C4alkyl. A2 is a direct bond or CrCioalkylene, and ni is a number from 2 to 50;
(p-8) at least one compound of the formulae (B-8-a) and (B-8-b)



wherein A3 and A4 independently of one another are hydrogen or C1-C8alkY1, or A3 and A4
together form a C2-C14alkylene group, and
the variables ns independently of one another are a number from 1 to 50; and
(P-10) a compound of the formula (B-10)

Examples of alky! having up to 30 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3-dimethyl-butyl, n-hexyl, 1-methy!hexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1.1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethY1hexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl, 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl, docosyl and triacontyl. One of the preferred definitions of Ei, Es, E12, E13, E16, Eis, E22, E23, E25, E29. R206, R2131 R216, R218, R230 and R232 is C1-C4alkyl, especially methyl. R231 is preferably butyl.

Examples of alkoxy having up to 18 carbon atoms are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy. pentoxy. isopentoxy, hexoxy, heptoxy, octoxy, decyloxy, dodecyloxy, tetradecyloxy, hexadecyloxy and octadecyloxy. One of the preferred meanings of Ei is

Cy-CgPhenylalkyl which is substituted on the phenyl radical by -OH and/or by alkyl having up to 10 carbon atoms is for example methylbenzyl, dimethylbenzyl, trimethylbenzyl, tert-butylbenzyl or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl.
Examples of alkenyl having up to 10 carbon atoms are allyl, 2-methallyl, butenyl, peNT6nyl and hexenyl. Allyl is preferred. The carbon atom in position 1 is preferably saturated.
Examples of acyl containing not more than 8 carbon atoms are formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pentanoY1, hexanoyl. heptanoY1, octanoY1, acryloY1, methacryloY1 and benzoyl. C1-C8AlkanoY1, C3-C7alkenyl and benzoyl are preferred. Acetyl and acryloY1 are especially preferred.
Examples of alkylene having up to 22 carbon atoms are methylene, ethylene, propylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene, hexamethylene,

trimethylhexamethylene, octamethylene and decamethylene.

Where the radicals R201, R202 and R203t together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are attached, form a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring, this ring is for example

A 6-membered heterocyclic ring is preferred.
Where the radicals R204 and R205, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring, this ring is for example 1-pyrrolidyl, piperidino, morpholino, 1-piperazinyl, 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl, 1-hexahydroazepinyl, 5,5,7-trimethyl-l -homopiperazinyl or 4,5,5,7-tetramethyl-l-homopiperazinyl. Morpholino is particularly preferred.
One of the preferred definitions of R219 and R223 is phenyl.
R226 is preferably a direct bond.
n1, n2, n2* and n4 are preferably a number from 2 to 25, in particular 2 to 20.

n3 is preferably a number from 1 to 25, in particular 1 to 20.
b1 and b2 are preferably a number from 2 to 25, in particular 2 to 20.
b3 and b4 are preferably a number from 1 to 25, in particluar 1 to 20.
b'5 and b'"5 are preferably 3 and b"5 is preferably 2.
The compounds described above are essentially known and commercially available. All of them can be prepared by known processes.
The preparation of the compounds is disclosed, for example, in US-A-5,679,733, US-A-3,640,928, US-A-4,198,334, US-A-5,204,473, US-A-4,619,958, US-A-4,110,306, US-A-4,110,334, US-A-4,689,416, US-A-4,408,051, SU-A-768,175 (Derwent 88-138,751/20), US-A-5,049,604, US-A-4,769,457, US-A-4,356,307. US-A-4,619,956, US-A-5,182,390, GB-A-2,269,819, US-A-4,292,240, US-A-5,026,849, US-A-5,071,981, US-A-4,547,538, US-A-4,976,889, US-A-4,086,204, US-A-6,046,304, US-A-4,331,586, US-A-4,108,829, US-A-5,051.458, WO-A-94/12,544 (Denwent 94-177,274/22), DD-A-262,439 (Denwent 89-122,983/17), US-A-4,857,595, US-A-4,529,760 , US-A-4,477.615 . CAS 136,504-96-6, US-A-4,233.412, US-A-4,340,534, WO-A-98/51,690 and EP-A-1,803.
The product (B-6) can be prepared analogously to known processes, for example by reacting a polyamine of formula (B-6-1) with cyanuric chloride in a molar ratio of from 1:2 to 1:4 in the presence of anhydrous lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate in an organic solvent such as 1,2-dichioroethane, toluene, xylene, benzene, dioxane or tert-amyl alcohol at a temperature of from -20°C to +10°C, preferably from -10°C to +10°C, in particular from 0°C to +10°C, for from 2 to 8 hours, followed by reaction of the resultant product with a 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamine of the formula (B-6-2). The molar ratio of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamine to polyamine of the formula (B-6-1) employed is for example from 4:1 to 8:1. The quantity of the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidylamine can be added in one portion or in more than one portion at iNT6rvals of a few hours.

The molar ratio of polyamine of the formula (B-6-1) to cyanuric chloride to 2,2,6,6-tetramethY1-4-piperidylamine of the formula (B-6-2) is preferably from 1:3:5 to 1:3:6.
The following example indicates one way of preparing a preferred product (B-6-a).
Example: 23.6 g (0.128 mol) of cyanuric chloride, 7.43 g (0.0426 mol) of N,N'-bis[3-aminopropyl]ethylenediamine and 18 g (0.13 mol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate are reacted at 5°C for 3 hours with stirring in 250 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane. The mixture is warmed at room temperature for a further 4 hours. 27.2 g (0.128 mol) of N-(2,2,6.6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)butylamine are added and the resultant mixture is warmed at 60°C for 2 hours. A further 18 g (0.13 mol) of anhydrous potassium carbonate are added and the mixture is warmed at 60°C for a further 6 hours. The solvent is removed by distillation under a slight vacuum (200 mbar) and replaced by xylene. 18.2 g (0.085 mol) of N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)butylamine and 5,2 g (0.13 mol) of ground sodium hydroxide are added, the mixture is heated at reflux for 2 hours and, for a further 12 hours, the water formed during the reaction is removed by azeotropic distillation. The mixture is filtered. The solution is washed with water and dried over Na2SO4. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is dried at 120-130°C in vacuo (0.1 mbar). The desired product is obtained as a colourless resin.
in general, the product (B-6) can, for example, be represeNT6d by a compound of the formula (B-6-a), (B-6-p) or (B-6-Y). It can also be in the form of a mixture of these three compounds.






'he sterically hindered amine compounds of component (c) are preferably elected from the group consisting of the following commercial products: )ASTIB 845 (RTM), TINUVIN 770 (RTM), TINUVIN NOR 371 (RTM), TINUVIN •65 (RTM), TINUVIN 144 (RTM), TINUVIN 123 (RTM), TINUVIN 111 (RTM), "INUVIN 783 (RTM), TINUVIN 791 (RTM), MARK LA 52 (RTM), MARK LA 57 RTM), MARK LA 62 (RTM), MARK LA 67 (RTM), HOSTAVIN N 20 (RTM), iOSTAVIN N 24 (RTM), SANDUVOR 3050 (RTM), DIACETAM 5 (RTM), JUMISORB TM 61 (RTM), UVINUL 4049 (RTM), SANDUVOR PR 31 (RTM), 300DRITE UV 3034 (RTM), GOODRITE UV 3150 (RTM), GOODRITE UV 3159 RTM), GOODRITE 3110 x 128 (RTM), UVINUL 4050 H (RTM), CHIMASSORB 144 (RTM), CHIMASSORB 2020 (RTM), CYASORB UV 3346 (RTM), CYASORB JV 3529 (RTM), DASTIB 1082 (RTM), CHIMASSORB 119 (RTM), UVASIL 299 RTM). UVASIL 125 (RTM), UVASIL 2000 (RTM), UVINUL 5050 H (RTM), .ICHTSCHUTZSTOFF UV 31 (RTM), LUCHEM HA B 18 (RTM), MARK LA 63 RTM), MARK LA 68 (RTM), UVASORB HA 88 (RTM), TINUVIN 622 (RTM), HOSTAVIN N 30 (RTM) and FERRO AM 806 (RTM).
Particularly preferred are TINUVIN 770 (RTM), TINUVIN NOR 371 (RTM), TINUVIN 791 (RTM), TINUVIN 622 (RTM), TINUVIN 783 (RTM), CHIMASSORB 944 (RTM), CHIMASSORB 2020 (RTM) and CHIMASSORB 119 (RTM).

Most preferred is Tinuvin 770 (RTM), TINUVIN NOR 371 (RTM) and TINUVIN 791 (RTM).
The meanings of the terminal groups which saturate the free valences in the compounds of the formulae (B-1), (B-3), {B-4), (B-5), (B-6-a), (B-6-p), (8-6-7), (B-7), (B-8-a), (B-8-b) and (B-10) depend on the processes used for their preparation. The terminal groups can also be modified after the preparation of the compounds.
If the compounds of the formula (B-1) are prepared by reacting a compound of the formula

If X is halogen, it is advantageous to replace this, for example, by -OH or an amino group

when the reaction is complete. Examples of amino groups which may be mentioned are pyrrolidin-1-yl, morpholino, -NH2, -N(C1-C8)alkyl)2 and -NR(1i-C8alkyl), in which R is hydrogen or a group of the formula (b-l).
The compounds of the formula (B-1) also cover compounds of the formula

The preparation of this compound is described in Example 10 of US-A-6,046,304.
In the compounds of the formula (B-3), the terminal group bonded to the silicon atom can be, for example, (Ri4)3Si-O-, and the terminal group bonded to the oxygen can be, for example, -Si(Ri4)3.
The compounds of the formula (B-3) can also be in the form of cyclic compounds if bg is a number from 3 to 10, i.e. the free valences shown in the structural formula then form a direct bond.

In the compounds of the formula (B-4), the terminal group bonded to the 2,5-dioxopyrrolidine ring is, for example, hydrogen, and the terminal group bonded to the -C(R223)(R224)- radical is, for example,

In the compounds of the formula (B-5), the terminal group bonded to the carbonyl radical is, for example,

In the compounds of the formulae (B-6-a), (B-6-P) and (B-6-Y), the terminal group bonded to the triazine radical is, for example. CI or a

\x
group, and the terminal group bonded to the amino radical is. for example, hydrogen or a

If the compounds of the formula (B-7) are prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of the formula

in which A1is hydrogen or methyl, with a dicarboxylic acid diester of the formula Y-OOC-A2-COO-Y, in which Y is, for example, methyl, ethyl or propyl, and A2 is as defined above, the terminal group bonded to the 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxypiperidin-1-yl radical is hydrogen or -CO-A2-COO-Y, and the terminal group bonded to the diacyl radical is -O-Y or

In the compounds of the formula (B-8-a), the terminal group bonded to the nitrogen can be, for example, hydrogen and the terminal group bonded to the 2-hydroxypropylene radical can be, for example, a


In the compounds of the fornnula (B-8-b), the terminal group bonded to the dimethylene radical can be, for example, -OH, and the terminal group bonded to the oxygen can be, for example, hydrogen. The terminal groups can also be polyether radicals.
In the compounds of the formula (B-10), the end group bonded to the -CH2" residue can be, for example, hydrogen and the end group bonded to the -CH(C02A7) residue can be, for example, -CH=CH-C00A7.
Specific examples for the sterically hindered amines are bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)succinate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1-octyloxy-2.2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben2ylmalonate, the condensate of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butane-tetracarboxylate, 1,1 '-(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethylpipera2inone), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)malonate, 3-n"OCtyl-7,7,9.9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decan-2,4-dione, bis(1-octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)succinate, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamineand4-morpholino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl )-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6"di-(4-n-butylamino-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-1,3,5-tria2ine and 1,2-bis-(3-aminopropylamino)ethane, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]-decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidin-2,5-dione, 3-

doclecyl-1-(1,2,2,6,6-pentarTiethyl-4-pipericiyl)pyrrolidine-2.5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, a condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetrametiiyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a condensation product of 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-tria2ine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro[4,5]decane, a reaction product of 7.7,9,9-tetramethyl-2"Cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro [4,5]decane und epichlorohydrin, 1,1-bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethY1-4-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethene, N,N'-bis-formyl-N,N*-bis(2,2,6,6-te-tramethyl-4-piperidyl)liexamethylenediamine, diester of 4-methoxy-methylene-malonic acid with 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4-(2,2,6,6-tetrame-thyl-4-piperidyl)]siloxane and reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-a-olefin-copolymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine, 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperidine or a compound

in which n is from 1 to 15, disclosed in example 2 of U.S. Patent No, 6,117,995.
The sterically hindered amines mentioned above are known and are largely items of commerce. They are for example used in an amount from 0.005 to 5%, preferably from 0.1 to 2% by weight based on the weight of the polymer.

Commercial examples are Tinuvin® 111, 783, 494, 492, NOR 371, 944, 622 from Ciba Specialty Cliemicals Inc.; Hostavin® N30, N391 from Clariant Inc.; Cyasorb® 3346, 3529, 1084, Cyasorb® THT 6435, THT6460, THT4611 from Cytech Inc.; Mark® LA62 from Adeka Argus Inc. or Sigma HA88 from 3V Sigma Inc.
In some cases it may be advantageous to add additionally metal oxides or hydroxides. Examples are tlie oxides of zinc, aluminum, calcium or magnesium, or the hydroxides of zinc, aluminum or calcium, in particular zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc hydroxide (Zn(0)2), ortho or meta aluminum (AI(0H)3), alpha or gamma-aluminum oxide (AI2O3), or magnesium oxide (MgO), Special preference is given to ZnO, Zn(OH)2 or MgO. Metal carboxylates may optionally also be added. These are mainly salts of Al, Ba, Mg, Sr or Zn. Preferred are salts of aluminum, calcium, magnesium or zinc, especially of C12-C18 carboxylic acids. Preferred are calcium salts, for example calcium stearate. Hydrocalcites are in general preferred.
The commercial stericaily hindered amines given above are partially blends with UV-absorbers (THT series) or contain further processing additives, such as ZnO, MgO, Ca-stearate, Zn-stearate.

The reaction and the products are known and have the following CAS numbers: (I) is No. 1753-47-5 and (I!) is No. 152734-34-4. The condensation reaction is typically carried out in a solvent, such as for example ethanol. Depending on the amount of additional NH4OH the formation of product (I) or (II) is favored. The condensation temperature range is typically from 30° C to 100° C. The condensation is usually carried out at atmospheric pressure.

Preferably R101 and R102 are methyl.
The polymeric composition is for example in the form of a film used in agricultural applications. It may be a self-supporting film construction or a film may be laminated onto, for example, glass or polycarbonate. When used in agricultural applications the film is preferably used for greenhouses, as mulch film or small tunnel cover. The film can form the cover of a greenhouse, protecting the plants from the influences of the surrounding or the film can be used in the inside of a greenhouse to cover or protect the plants or a part of the plants from influences originating from inside, such as artificial watering or spraY1ng of herbicides and/or insecticides.
Preferably the condensation product is present in an amount of from 0.005% to 10%, more preferably of from 0.05% to 4% and most preferably of from 0.1% to 2.5% by weight based on the weight of the thermoplastic polymer.
The thermoplastic polymer film is preferably transparent. Transparent means in the coNT6xt of the present invention that more than 50%, preferably more than 70% of the incident radiation in the visible range between 400 and 720 nm pass through the polymer film. This is, for example, measured by measuring the total incident radiation (directional and diffuse) and the total transmitted radiation behind the film (directional and diffuse).
The level of transparency necessary for an optimum plant growth depends on the latitude. For example, near the equator less transparency is desirable than in the temperate zone.
The thermoplastic polymer film can be made from a variety of polymers. Examples are given below.
1. Polymers of monoolefins and diolefins, for example polypropylene, polY1sobutylene, po-lybut-1-ene, poly-4-methylpent-1-ene, polyvinylcyclohexane, polY1soprene or polybutadiene, as well as polymers of cycloolefins, for instance of cyclopeNT6ne or norbornene, polyethylene (which optionally can be crosslinked), for example high density polyethylene (HOPE), high density and high molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-HMW), high density and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HDPE-UHMW), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), low

density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE) and (ULDPE).
Polyolefins, i.e. the polymers of monoolefins exemplified in the preceding paragraph, preferably polyethylene and polypropylene, can be prepared by different, and especially by the following, methods:
a) radical polymerisation (normally under high pressure and at elevated temperature).
b) catalytic polymerisation using a catalyst that normally contains one or more than one
metal of groups IVb, Vb, VIb or VIII of the Periodic Table. These metals usually have
one or more than one ligand, typically oxides, halides, alcoholates, esters, ethers,
amines, alkyls, alkenyls and/or aryls that may be either n- or a-coordinated. These
metal complexes may be in the free form or fixed on substrates, typically on
activated magnesium chloride, titanium(lll) chloride, alumina or silicon oxide. These
catalysts may be soluble or insoluble in the polymerisation medium. The catalysts
can be used by themselves in the polymerisation or further activators may be used,
typically metal alkyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyl halides, metal alkyl oxides or metal
alkyloxanes, said metals being elements of groups la, lla and/or Ilia of the Periodic
Table. The activators may be modified conveniently with further ester, ether, amine
or silyl ether groups. These catalyst systems are usually termed Phillips, Standard
Oil Indiana, Ziegler (-Natta), TNZ (DuPont), metallocene or single site catalysts
(SSC),
2. Mixtures of the polymers mentioned under 1), for example mixtures of polypropylene with polY1sobutylene, polypropylene with polyethylene (for example PP/HDPE, PP/LDPE) and mixtures of different types of polyethylene (for example LDPE/HDPE).
3. Copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins with each other or with other vinyl monomers, for example ethylene/propylene copolymers, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and mixtures thereof with low density polyethylene (LDPE), propylene/but-1-ene copolymers, propylene/isobutylene copolymers, ethylene/but-1-ene copolymers, ethylene/hexene copolymers, ethylene/methylpeNT6ne copolymers, ethylene/heptene copolymers, ethylene/octene copolymers, ethylene/vinylcyclohexane copolymers, ethylene/cycloolefin copolymers (e.g.

ethylene/norbornene like COC), ethylene/1-olefins copolymers, where the 1-olefin is generated in-situ; propylene/butadiene copolymers, isobutylene/isoprene copolymers, ethylene/vi-nylcyclohexene copolymers, ethylene/alkY1 acrylate copolymers, ethylene/alkY1 methacrylate copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers or ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers and their salts (ionomers) as well as terpolymers of ethylene with propylene and a diene such as hexadiene, dicydopentadiene or ethylidene-norbornene; and mixtures of such copolymers with one another and with polymers mentioned in 1) above, for example polypropylene/ethy-lene-propylene copolymers, LDPE/ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA), LDPE/ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers (EAA), LLDPE/EVA, LLDPE/EAA and alternating or random polyal-kylene/carbon monoxide copolymers and mixtures thereof with other polymers, for example polyamides.
4. Hydrocarbon resins (for example C5-C9) including hydrogenated modifications thereof
(e.g. tackifiers) and mixtures of polyalkylenes and starch.
Homopolymers and copolymers from 1.) - 4.) may have any stereostructure including syndio-tactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included.
5. Polystyrene, poly(p-methylstyrene), poly(a-methylstyrene).
6. Aromatic homopolymers and copolymers derived from vinyl aromatic monomers including styrene, a-methylstyrene, all isomers of vinyl toluene, especially p-vinyltoluene, all isomers of ethyl styrene, propyl styrene, vinyl biphenyl, vinyl naphthalene, and vinyl anthracene, and mixtures thereof. Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotactic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred. Stereoblock polymers are also included.
6a. Copolymers including aforementioned vinyl aromatic monomers and comonomers selected from ethylene, propylene, dienes, nitriles, acids, maleic anhydrides, maleimides, vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride or acrylic derivatives and mixtures thereof, for example styrene/bu-tadiene, styrene/acrylonitrile, styrene/ethylene (iNT6rpolymers), styrene/alkY1 methacrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkY1 acrylate, styrene/butadiene/alkY1 methacrylate, styrene/maleic anhydride, styrene/acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate; mixtures of high impact strength of styrene copo-

lymers and another polymer, for example a polyacrylate, a diene polymer or an ethylene/pro-pylene/diene terpoiymer; and block copolymers of styrene such as styrene/butadiene/sty-rene, styrene/isoprene/styrene, styrene/ethylene/butylene/styrene or styrene/ethylene/propy-lene/styrene.
6b. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6.), especially including polycyclohexylethylene (PCHE) prepared by hydrogenating atactic polystyrene, often referred to as polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH).
6c. Hydrogenated aromatic polymers derived from hydrogenation of polymers mentioned under 6a.).
Homopolymers and copolymers may have any stereostructure including syndiotactic, isotac-tic, hemi-isotactic or atactic; where atactic polymers are preferred, Stereoblock polymers are also included.
7. Graft copolymers of vinyl aromatic monomers such as styrene or a-methylstyrene, for example styrene on polybutadiene, styrene on polybutadiene-styrene or polybutadiene-acry-lonitrile copolymers; styrene and acrylonitriie (or methacrylonitrile) on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate on polybutadiene; styrene and maleic anhydride on polybutadiene; styrene, acrylonitrile and maleic anhydride or maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and maleimide on polybutadiene; styrene and alkyl acrylates or methacrylates on polybutadiene; styrene and acrylonitrile on ethylene/propylene/diene terpolymers; styrene and acrylonitrile on polyalkY1 acrylates or polyalkY1 methacrylates, styrene and acrylonitrile on acrylate/butadiene copolymers, as well as mixtures thereof with the copolymers listed under 6), for example the copolymer mixtures known as ABS, MBS, ASA or AES polymers.
8. Halogen-containing polymers such as polychloroprene, chlorinated rubbers, chlorinated and brominated copolymer of isobutylene-isoprene (halobutyl rubber), chlorinated or sulfo-chlorinated polyethylene, copolymers of ethylene and chlorinated ethylene, epichlorohydrin homo- and copolymers, especially polymers of halogen-containing vinyl compounds, for example polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, as well as copolymers thereof such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride, vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate or vinylidene chloride/vinyl acetate copolymers.

9. Polymers derived from a,p-unsaturated acids and derivatives thereof such as polyacry-
lates and polymethacrylates; polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylamides and polyacrY1oni-
triles, impact-modified with butyl acrylate.
10. Copolymers of the monomers mentioned under 9) with each other or with other unsaturated monomers, for example acrylonitrile/ butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkY1 acrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile/alkoxyalkY1 acrylate or acrylonitrile/vinyl halide copolymers or acrylonitrile/ alkyl methacrylate/butadiene terpolymers.
11. Polymers derived from unsaturated alcohols and amines or the acyl derivatives or ace-tals thereof, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl benzoate, polyvinyl maleate, polyvinyl butyral, polyallyl phthalate or polyallyl melamine; as well as their copolymers with olefins mentioned in 1) above.
12. Homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic ethers such as polyalkylene glycols, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide or copolymers thereof with bisglycidyl ethers.
13. Polyacetals such as polyoxymethylene and those polyoxymethylenes which contain
ethylene oxide as a comonomer; polyacetals modified with thermoplastic polyurethanes,
acrylates or MBS.
14. Polyphenylene oxides and sulfides, and mixtures of polyphenylene oxides with styrene polymers or polyamides.
15. Polyurethanes derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers, polyesters or polybutadi-enes on the one hand and aliphatic or aromatic polY1socyanates on the other, as well as precursors thereof.
16. Polyamides and copolyamides derived from diamines and dicarboxylic acids and/or from aminocarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactams, for example polyamide 4, polyamide 6, polyamide 6/6, 6/10, 6/9, 6/12, 4/6, 12/12, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, aromatic polyamides starting from m-xylene diamine and adipic acid; polyamides prepared from hexamethylenediamine and isophthalic or/and terephthalic acid and with or without an ela-

stomer as modifier, for example poly-2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene terephthalamide or poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide; and also block copolymers of the aforementioned polyamides with polyolefins, olefin copolymers, ionomers or chemically bonded or grafted elastomers; or with polyethers, e.g. with polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol or polytetramethylene glycol; as well as polyamides or copolyamides modified with EPDM or ABS; and polyamides condensed during processing (RIM polyamide systems).
17. Polyureas, polY1mides, polyamide-imides, polyetherimids, polyesterimids, polyhydantoins and polybenzimidazoles.
18. Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and diols and/or from hydroxycarboxylic acids or the corresponding lactones, for example polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene tereph-thalate, poly-1,4-dimethylolcyclohexane terephthalate, polyalkylene naphthalate (PAN) and polyhydroxybenzoates, as well as block copolyether esters derived from hydroxyl-terminated polyethers; and also polyesters modified with polycarbonates or MBS.
19. Polycarbonates and polyester carbonates.
20. Polyketones.
21. Polysulfones, polyether sulfones and polyether ketones.
22. Blends of the aforementioned polymers (polyblends), for example PP/EPDM, Poly-
amide/EPDM or ABS, PVC/EVA, PVC/ABS, PVC/MBS, PC/ABS, PBTP/ABS, PC/ASA,
PC/PBT, PVC/CPE, PVC/acrylates, POM/thermoplastic PUR, PC/thermoplastic PUR,
POM/acrylate, POM/MBS, PPO/HIPS, PPO/PA 6.6 and copolymers, PA/HDPE, PA/PP,
PA/PPO, PBT/PC/ABS or PBT/PET/PC.
Preferred is a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyvinylalcohol, a polyvinylacetate and a polycarbonate.
Suitable thermoplastic polymer are also starch modified polyolefines, starch based polymer composites, biopolymers such as polycaprolactone, polylactic acid, polyglycollic acid,

polyhydroxybutyrate-valerate, polybutylene succinate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyhydroxy-alcanoate or polyethylene adipate.
Particularly preferred are polyolefins or polyvinylacetates, in particular (PE), polyethylene, (LDPE), low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), (VLDPE), (ULDPE) and ethylvinylacetate (EVA).
Preferably the thermoplastic polymer is in the form of a film with a thickness from 10 |i to 300 |a, in particular from 10 |x to 200 |x.
In a specific embodiment of the invention the film is a multilayer construction of between 2 and 7 polymer layers containing the components b), c1), c2) or c3) as described above in at least 1 layer.
In this case a polymer composition of the invention containing a relatively large amount of the condensation product, of the UV-absorber or/and the sterically hindered amine, for example 1-15% by weight, is applied in a thin layer (10-20 p) to a shaped article made from a polymer containing little or no condensation product and other additive. Application can be made at the same time as the shaping of the base article, for example by coextrusion. Alternatively, application can be made to the base article after it has been shaped, for example by lamination with a film or by coating with a solution.
The thermoplastic polymer film may contain an additional additive selected from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphite or phosphonite, a further fluorescent dye or pigment, a processing aid, a filler or reinforcing material and an antifog additive.
Examples for further additives are given below.
1. Antioxidants
1.1. Alkvlated monophenols, for example 2,6-di"tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-tert-butyl-4,6-di-methylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-n-butylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-bU" tyl-4-isobutylphenol, 2,6-dicyclopentyl-4-methylphenol, 2-(a-methylcyctohexyl)-4,6-dimethyl-phenol, 2,6"dioctadecyl-4-methylphenol, 2,4,6-tricyclohexylphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-meth-oxymethylphenol, nonylphenols which are linear or branched in the side chains, for example,

2,6-di-nonyl"4-methylphenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1 *-methylundec-1 '-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1 '-methylheptadec-1'-yl)phenol, 2,4-dimethyl-6-(1'-methyltridec-1'-yl)phenol and mixtures thereof.
1.2. Alkvlthiomethvlphenols, for example 2,4-dioctylthiomethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 2,4-dioctyl-thiomethyl-6-methylphenol, 2,4-dioctY1thiomethyl-6-ethylphenol, 2,6-di-dodecylthiomethyl-4-nonylphenol.
1.3. Hvdroaulnones and alkylated hvdroauinones, for example 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methoxy-phenol, 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-dMert-amylhydroquinone, 2,6-diphenyl-4-octade-cyloxyphenol, 2,6-di-tert-butylhydroquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-bu-tyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl stearate, bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy-droxyphenyl) adipate.
1.4. Tocopherols, for example a-tocopherol, p-tocopherol, y-tocopherol, 6-tocopherol and mixtures thereof (Vitamin E).
1.5. Hvdroxvlated thiodiphenvl ethers, for example 2,2'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-thiobis(4-octylphenol). 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol), 4,4'"thiobis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 4,4'-thiobis-(3,6-di-sec-amylphenol), 4,4'-bis(2,6-dimethyl-4"hydroxyphe-nyl)disulfide.
1.6. Alkvlidenebisphenols, for example 2.2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[4-methyl-6-(a-methylcyclohexyl)-phenol], 2,2'-methylenebis(4-methyl"6-cyclohexylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(6-nonyl-4"me-thylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphe-nol), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-isobutylphenol), 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(a-methylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 2.2'-methylenebis[6-(a,a-dimethylbenzyl)-4-nonylphenol], 4,4'-methylenebis-(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol), 4,4'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-2-methylphenol), 1,1 -bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 2,6-bis(3-tert-butyl-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-4-methyl-phenol, 1,1,3-tris(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)butane, 1,1-bis(5-tert-butyl-4-hydr-oxy-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-n-dodecylmercaptobutane, ethylene glycol bis[3,3-bis(3'-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)butyrate], bis(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)dicyclopentadiene, bis[2-(3'"tert-butyl-2'-hydroxy-5'-methylben2yl)-6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl]terephthalate, 1,1-bis-

(3,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)butane, 2,2-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis-(5-tei1-butyl-4-hydroxy2-methylphenyl)-4-n-dodecylmercaptobutane, 1,1,5,5-tetra-(5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-2-methylphenyl)pentane.
1.7. 0-, N- and S-benzvl compounds, for example 3,5,3',5'-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4'-dihydroxydi-benzyl ether, octadecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tridecyl-4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylmercaptoacetate, tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)amine, bis(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)dithioterephthalate, bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzyl)sulfide, isooctyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmercaptoacetate.
1.8. Hvdroxvbenzylated malonates, for example dioctadecyl-2,2-bis-(3,5-di"tert-butyl-2-hy-droxybenzyl)-malonate, di-octadecyl-2-(3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-malonate, di-dodecylmercaptoethyl-2,2-bis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate, bis[4-(1,1,3,3-te-tramethylbutyl)phenyl]-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)ma!onate.
1.9. Aromatic hvdroxvbenzvl compounds, for example 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butY1-4-hydroxy-benzyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrame-thylbenzene, 2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)phenol,

1.10. Triazine Compounds, for example 2,4-bis(octylmercapto)-6-(3,5-di-tert-butyl"4-hydroxy-anilino)-1,3,5-triazine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanilino)-1,3,5-tri-azine, 2-octylmercapto-4,6-bis(3,5-di-tert"butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenoxy)-1,2,3-triazine. 1,3,5-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben-zyl)isocyanurate, 1,3,5-tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2.6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate, 2,4,6-tris-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl"4-hydroxy-phenylpropionyl)-hexahydro-1,3,5"triazine, 1,3,5-tris(3,5-dicyclohexyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)iso-cyanurate.
1.11. Benzvlphosphonates, for example dimethyl-2,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphospho-nate, diethyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonate. dioctadecyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hy-droxybenzylphosphonate, dioctadecyl-5-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzylphosphonate, the calcium salt of the monoethyl ester of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylphosphonic acid.

1.12. Acviaminophenols, for example 4-hydroxylauranilide, 4-hydroxystearanilide, octyl N-(3,5-di-tert-butY1-4-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate.
1.13. Esters of (3-(3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenvnpropionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hy-droxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylol-propane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.
1.14. Esters of B-(5-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxy-3-methylphenvnpropionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, n-octanol, i-octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol. neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate, N,N'-bis-(hydroxyethyl)oxamide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethyl-olpropane, 4-hydroxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.
1.15. Esters of B-(3.5-dicvclohexyl-4-hvdroxyphenvnpropionic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)ox-amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy-droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.
1.16. Esters of 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenyl acetic acid with mono- or polyhydric alcohols, e.g. with methanol, ethanol, octanol, octadecanol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, thiodiethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, tris(hydroxyethyl)isocyanurate, N,N'-bis(hydroxyethyl)ox-amide, 3-thiaundecanol, 3-thiapentadecanol, trimethylhexanediol, trimethylolpropane, 4-hy-droxymethyl-1-phospha-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane.
1.17. Amides of B-(3.5-di-tert-butyl-4-hvdroxyphenvnpropionic acid e.g. N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hexamethylenediamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-phenylpropionyl)trimethylenediamide, N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)-

hydrazide, N,N'-bis[2-(3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyloxy)ethyl]oxamide (Nau-gard®XL-1 supplied by Uniroyal).
1.18, Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
1.19. Aminic antioxidants, for example N,N'-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-di-sec-bu-
tyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1,4-dimethylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1-ethyl-3-
methylpentyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(1 -methylheptyl)-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-dicy-
cioiiexyl-p-phenY1enediamine, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N'-bis(2-naphthyl)-p-
phenylenediamine, N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phe-
nyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-(1 -methylheptyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-cyclohexyl-N'-
phenyl-p-phenlenediamine. 4-(p-toluenesulfamoyl)diphenylamine, N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-di-sec-
butyl-p-phenylenediamine. diphenylamine, N-allY1diphenylamine, 4-isopropoxydiphenyl-
amine, N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, N-(4-tert-octylphenyl)-1-naphthylamine, N-phenyl-2-naph-
thylamine, octylated diphenylamine, for example p,p'-di-tert-octyldiphenylamine, 4-n-
butylaminophenol, 4-butyrylaminophenol, 4-nonanoylamlnophenol, 4-dodecanoylaminophe-
nol, 4-octadecanoylaminophenol, bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amine, 2,6-di-tert-butY1-4-dimethyl-
aminomethylphenol, 2,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, N,N,N',N'-
tetrametiiyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 1,2-bis[(2-methylphenyl)amino]etliane, 1,2-bis-
(phenylamino)propane, (o-tolyl)biguanide, bis[4-(1',3'-dimethylbutyl)phenyl]amine, tert-
octylated N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-
octyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated nonyldiphenylamines, a mixture of
mono- and dialkylated dodecyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- and dialkylated
isopropyl/isohexyldiphenylamines, a mixture of mono- und dialkylated tert-
butyldiphenylamines, 2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-4H-1,4-benzothiazine, phenothiazine, a
mixture of mono- und dialkylated tert-butyl/tert-octylphenothiazines, a mixture of mono- und
dialkylated tert-octyl-phenothiazines, N-allylphenothiazin, N,N,N',N*-tetraphenyl-1,4-diamino-
but-2-ene, N,N-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperid-4-yl-hexamethylenediamine, bis(2,2,6,6-
tetramethylpiperid-4-yl)sebacate, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-one, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-
piperidin-4-ol.
2. Other UV absorbers and light stabilisers
2.1. Esters of substituted and unsubstituted benzoic acids, as for example 4-tertbutyl-phenyl
salicylate, phenyl salicylate, octylphenyl salicylate, dibenzoY1 resorcinol, bis(4-tert-butylben-

zoY1) resorcinol, benzoyl resorcinol, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl 3,5-di-tert-butY1-4-hydroxybenzo-ate, hexadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, octadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyben-zoate, 2-methyl-4,6-di-tert-butylphenyl3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.
2.2. Acrylates, for example ethyl a-cyano-p,p-diphenylacrylate. isooctyl a-cyano-p,p-diphe-nylacrylate, methyl a-carbomethoxycinnamate, methyl a-cyano-p-methY1-p-methoxy-cinna-mate, butyl a-cyano-p-methyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate, methyl a-carbomethoxy-p-methoxycin-namate and N-(p-carbomethoxy-p-cyanovinyl)-2-methylindoline.
2.3. Nickel compounds, for example nickel complexes of 2,2'-thio-bis-[4-(1,1,3,3"tetramethyl-butyl)phenol], such as the 1:1 or 1:2 complex, with or without additional ligands such as n-butylamine, triethanolamine or N-cyclohexyldiethanolamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel salts of the monoalkY1 esters, e.g. the methyl or ethyl ester, of 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylphosphonic acid, nickel complexes of ketoximes, e.g. of 2-hydroxy-4-methylphe-nyl undecylketoxime, nickel complexes of 1-phenyM-lauroyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, with or without additional ligands.

3. Metal deactivators, for example N,N'-diphenyloxamide, N-salicylal-N'-salicyloY1 hydrazine, N,N'-bis(salicyloyl) hydrazine, N,N'"bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl) hydrazine, 3-salicyloylamino-1,2,4-triazole, bis(benzylidene)oxalyl dihydrazide, oxanilide, isophthaloY1 dihydrazide, sebacoY1 bisphenylhydrazide, N,N'-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, N,N'-bis(salicyl-oyl)oxalyl dihydrazide, N,N'-bis(salicyloyl)thiopropionyl dihydrazide.
4. Phosphites and phosphonites. for example triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl alkyl phosphites, phenyl dialkY1 phosphites, tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite, trilauryl phosphite, trioctadecyl phosphite, distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, diisodecyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl)-pentaerythritol diphosphite, diisodecyloxypentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, bis(2,4,6-tris(tert-butyl-phenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite, tristearyl sorbitol triphosphite, tetrakis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-phenyl) 4,4'-biphenylene diphosphonite, 6-isooctyloxy-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12H-dibenz-[d,g]-1.3,2-dioxaphosphocin, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) methyl phosphite, bis(2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-methylphenyl) ethyl phosphite, 6-fluoro-2,4,8,10-tetra-tert-butyl-12-methyl-di-benz[d,g]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphocin, 2,2',2"-nitrilo[triethyltris(3,3',5,5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,r-biphe-

nyl-2,2'-ciiyl)phosphite], 2-ethylhexyl(3,3',5.5'-tetra-tert-butyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diyl)phosphite, 5-butyl-5-ethyl-2-(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenoxy)-1,3,2-dioxaphosphirane.
Especially preferred are the following phosphites:
Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite (lrgafos®168, Ciba-Geigy), tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite,



5. Hvdroxylamines, for example, N,N-dibenzylhydroxylamine, N,N-diethylhydroxylamine,
N,N-dioctylhydroxylamine, N,N-dilaurylhydroxylamine, N,N-ditetradecylhydroxylamine, N,N-
dihexadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dioctadecylhydroxylamine, N-hexadecyl-N-octadecylhydrox-
ylamine, N-heptadecyl-N-octadecylhydroxylamine, N,N-dialkylhydroxylamine derived from
hydrogenated tallow amine.
6. Nitrones, for example, N-benzyl-alpha-phenyl-nitrone, N-ethyl-alpha-methyl-nitrone, N-oc-
tyl-alpha-heptyl-nitrone. N-lauryl-alpha-undecyl-nitrone, N-tetradecyl-alpha-tridcyl-nitrone, N-
hexadecyl-alpha-pentadecyl-nitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-heptadecyl-nitrone, N-hexadecyl-al-
pha-heptadecY1-nitrone, N-ocatadecyl-alpha-pentadecyl-nitrone, N-heptadecyl-alpha-hepta-
decyl-nitrone, N-octadecyl-alpha-hexadecyl-nitrone, nitrone derived from N,N-dialkylhydroxyl-
amine derived from hydrogenated tallow amine.
7. Thiosvnerqists, for example, dilauryl thiodipropionate or distearyl thiodipropionate.
8. Peroxide scavengers, for example esters of p-thiodipropionic acid, for example the lauryl, stearyl, myristyl or tridecyl esters, mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of 2-mercapto-benzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyl disulfide, pentaerythritol tetrakis((3-dodecylmercapto)propionate.
9. Polvamide stabilisers, for example, copper salts in combination with iodides and/or phos
phorus compounds and salts of divalent manganese.
10. Basic co-stabilisers, for example, melamine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, dicyandiamide, triallyl
cyanurate, urea derivatives, hydrazine derivatives, amines, polyamides, polyurethanes, alkali
metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of higher fatty acids for example calcium stearate,

zinc stearate, magnesium behenate, magnesium stearate, sodium ricinoleate and potassium palmitate, antimony pyrocatecholate or zink pyrocatecholate.
11. Nucleating agents, for example, inorganic substances such as talcum, metal oxides such as titanium dioxide or magnesium oxide, phosphates, carbonates or sulfates of, preferably, alkaline earth metals; organic compounds such as mono- or polycarboxylic acids and the salts thereof, e.g. 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, adipic acid, diphenylacetic acid, sodium succinate or sodium benzoate; polymeric compounds such as ionic copolymers (ionomers). Especially preferred are 1,3:2,4-bis(3\4'-dimethylbenzylidene)sorbitol, 1,3:2,4-di(paramethyldibenzyli-dene)sorbitol, und 1,3:2,4-di(benzylidene)sorbitol.
12. Fillers and reinforcing agents, for example, calcium carbonate, silicates, glass fibres, glass bulbs, asbestos, talc, kaolin, mica, barium sulfate, metal oxides and hydroxides, carbon black, graphite, wood flour and flours or fibers of other natural products, synthetic fibers.
13. Other additives, for example, plasticisers, lubricants, emulsifiers, pigments, rheology additives, catalysts, flow-control agents, optical brighteners, flameproofing agents, antistatic agents, oxygen absorbers and blowing agents.
13a) Anti-fog additives, for example glycerol esters, polyglycerolesters, sorbitan esters and their ethoxylates, nonyl phenol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates ( see Plastics Additives Handbook, edited by H. Zweifel, 5*^ edition, Hanser 2001, pages 609-626).
14. Benzofuranones and indolinones, for example those disclosed in U.S. 4,325,863;
U.S. 4,338,244; U.S. 5,175,312; U.S. 5,216,052; U.S. 5,252,643; DE-A-4316611;
DE-A-4316622; DE-A-4316876; EP-A-0589839 or EP-A-0591102 or 3-[4-(2-acetoxyethoxy)-
phenyl]-5,7"di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one, 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-[4-(2-stearoyloxyethoxy)phe-
nyl]benzofuran-2-one, 3,3'-bis[5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4"[2-hydroxyethoxy]phenyl)benzofuran-2-
one], 5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-(4-ethoxyphenyl)benzofuran-2-one, 3-(4-acetoxy-3,5-dimethylphe-
nyl)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one, 3"(3,5-dimethyl-4-pivaloyloxyphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-
benzofuran-2-one, 3-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one. 3-(2,3-di-
methylphenyl)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-benzofuran-2-one.
The nature and amount of the further additives added are determined by the nature of the

substrate to be stabilized and its iNT6nded use; in many cases from 0.1 to 5% by weight is used, based on the polymer to be stabilized.
The additives of the invention and optional further components may be added to the polymer material individually or mixed with one another. If desired, the individual components can be mixed with one another before incorporation into the polymer for example by dry blending, compaction or in the melt.
The incorporation of the additive of the invention and optional further components into the polymer is carried out by known methods such as dry blending in the form of a powder, or wet mixing in the form of solutions, dispersions or suspensions for example in an inert solvent, water or oil. The additive of the invention and optional further additives may be incorporated, for example, before or after molding or also by applY1ng the dissolved or dispersed additve or additive mixture to the polymer material, with or without subsequent evaporation of the solvent or the suspension/dispersion agent. They may be added directly into the processing apparatus (e.g. extruders, iNT6rnal mixers, etc), e.g. as a dry mixture or powder or as solution or dispersion or suspension or melt.
The incorporation can be carried out in any beatable container equipped with a stirrer, e.g. in a closed apparatus such as a kneader, mixer or stirred vessel. The incorporation is preferably carried out in an extruder or in a kneader. It is immaterial whether processing takes place in an inert atmosphere or in the presence of oxygen.
The addition of the additive or additive blend to the polymer can be carried out in all customary mixing machines in which the polymer is melted and mixed with the additives. Suitable machines are known to those skilled in the art. They are predominantly mixers, kneaders and extruders.
The process is preferably carried out in an extruder by introducing the additive during processing.
Particularly preferred processing machines are single-screw extruders, contrarotating and corotating twin-screw extruders, planetary-gear extruders, ring extruders or cokneaders. It is also possible to use processing machines provided with at least one gas removal compartment to which a vacuum can be applied.

Suitable extruders and kneaders are described, for example, in Handbuch der Kunststoffex-'rusion, Vol. 1 Grundlagen, Editors F. Hensen, W. Knappe, H. PoteNT6, 1989, pp, 3-7, ^SBN:3-446'14339-4 (Vol. 2 Extrusionsanlagen 1986, ISBN 3-446-14329-7).
'OX example, the screw length is 1 - 60 screw diameters, preferably 35-48 screw diameters. The rotational speed of the screw is preferably 10 - 600 rotations per minute (rpm), very Darticularly preferably 25 - 300 rpm.
The maximum throughput is dependent on the screw diameter, the rotational speed and the driving force.
If a plurality of components are added, these can be premixed or added individually. The additive of the invention and optional further additives can also be sprayed onto the polymer material. They are able to dilute other additives (for example the conventional additives indicated above) or their melts so that they can be sprayed also together with these additives onto the material. Addition by spraY1ng during the deactivation of the polymerization catalysts is particularly advantageous; in this case, the steam evolved may be used for deactivation of the catalyst. In the case of spherically polymerized polyolefins it may, for example, be advantageous to apply the additives of the invention, optionally together with other additives, by spraY1ng.
The additives of the invention and optional further additives can also be added to the polymer in the form of a masterbatch ("concentrate") which contains the components in a concentration of, for example, about 1 % to about 40% and preferably 2 % to about 20 % by weight incorporated in a polymer. The polymer must not be necessarily of identical structure than the polymer where the additives are added finally. In such operations, the polymer can be used in the form of powder, granules, solutions, suspensions or in the form of latices.
Incorporation can take place prior to or during the shaping operation, or by applY1ng the dissolved or dispersed compound to the polymer, with or without subsequent evaporation of the solvent. In the case of elastomers, these can also be stabilized as latices. A further possibility for incorporating the additives of the invention into polymers is to add them before, during or directly after the polymerization of the corresponding monomers.

The films can be coextruded by film extrusion such as blown film extrusion or by cast film extrusion or they can be laminated and they can include layers based on polymers such as polyamide (PA 6 or 6,6 or 11 or 12 or 6/6,6 copolymer including OPA), polyethylene terephtalate (PET including OPET), polyethylene naphtalate (PEN), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EvOH), polypropylene (including OPP), ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and their salts, ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers and their salts, or Polyvinylidenchloride (PVDC) or aluminum foil. The films can also be coated with the above polymers or silicone-based coatings (e.g. SiOx) or aluminum oxide or any other coating applied by plasma, web coating or electron-beam coating.
A further aspect of the invention is a process for enhancing plant growth, comprising exposing a plant to actinic radiation behind or under a thermoplastic polymer composition in the form of a film for greenhouses and small tunnel covers, a film or a filament for shading nets and screens, a mulch film, a non- woven or molded article for the protection of young plants containing a condensation product of


a UV-absorber and a sterically hindered amine, containing at least one radical of the formula

a UV-absorber; or
a sterically hindered amine, containing at least one radical of the formula

a UV-absorber and a sterically hindered amine, containing at least one radical of the formula


as plant growth enhancing additive in thermoplastic polymers for agricultural applications in the form of films for greenhouses and small tunnel covers, films or filaments for shading nets and screens, mulch films, non-wovens or molded articles for the protection of young plants.
Definitions and preferences have already been given for the composition and apply also for the process and use.
Nets can for example be used for increased ventilation (and as a barrier to insects) or for it's shading and energy savings.
Nets can be manufactured in different ways. One is to cut films in small stripes which are then woven. Another possibility is to start with monofilament fibers, which are subsequently woven. A further possibility for making shading nets (also called screens) is more complex. A net is formed from woven monofilament fibers with tapes woven through this net. These tapes can be based on aluminium and/or a broad variety of polymers. In some cases, the monofilament net can be laminated on 1 or both sides with e.g. PE.
In general greenhouses and small tunnel covers are preferred. The plants, which are grown in greenhouses and small tunnel covers and the growth of which can be enhanced by the instant invention are for example flowers, legumes, fruits and crop.
The following examples illustrate the invention.
Example 1

Film Preparation and Additives Used
A three layer LDPE/EVA industrial film is prepared by blow molding having the following
structure: 200µ thickness, 50 ^µ EVA 5%, 100µ EVA 14% and 50µEVA 5%,
The following additives are added in ail three layers:
Film A) 1% compound 100, 1% Tinuvin NOR 371®, 0.35 % Chimassorb 81, 0.35% Tinuvin
327
Film B)--- 1% Tinuvin NOR 371®, 0.35 % Chimassorb 81, 0.35% Tinuvin
327
Compound 100 is the condensation product of 4-dimethylaminoben2a!dehyde and barbituric
acid;
Tinuvin NOR 371® is a commercial sterically hindered amine from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Inc.
Chimassorb 81 is a commercial benzophenone type UV-absorber from Ciba Specialty
Chemicals Inc.;
Tinuvin 327 is a commercial benzotriazole type UV-absorber from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Inc.
% is weight % based on the weight of the total polymer.
Film A contains the photoselective additive compound 100.
Film B is without the photoselective compound 100.
Agricultural Tests
Both films are compared in different agricultural tests performed in Pescia (Pisa, Italy).
The plants investigated are LILIUM and LII\/IONIUM.
Two different cultivars have been tested for Lilium: *0 sole mio' and 'Stargazer*
For Limonium the following cultivars have been tested: 'Emille' and Tall Emille'
Lilium and Limonium have been grown under small tunnels starting from the first week of
April 2001.
Lilium harvesting started at the end of May 2001; Limonium harvesting started at the end of
July 2001.
The cultivation conditions are the standard conditions used in the region.


Effects on Carnation
Two cultivars, namely 'Jack' and *Samuela', have been grown under two greenhouses one with film A and the other with film B. The cultivation started on the 18**^ of September 2001 and harvesting started on the 3"^* of October 2001. The cultivation conditions are the standard conditions used in the region.



Example 2
Film Preparation and Additives Used
200 |x thick polyethylene monolayer films are prepared by blow molding by means of a Doici
blow extruder.
The following additives are added to the films:
Film A) 1% compound 100, 0.7% Tinuvin NOR 371®
Film B) 0.7% Tinuvin NOR 371®
Compound 100 is the condensation product of 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and barbituric
add;
Tinuvin NOR 371® is a commercial sterically hindered amine from Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Inc.
% is weight % based on the weight of the polymer.
Film A contains the photoselective additive compound 100.
Film B is without the photoselective compound 100.
Agricultural Tests
Both films are compared in different agricultural tests performed in Pisa (Italy),
The plants investigated are Anthirrhium majus.
40 plants of Anthirrhium majus have been plaNT6d in flowerpots under experimental small tunnels during the second week of September 2002. The first stages of growth have been monitored, by assessing some standard parameters of growth like fresh and dry weight and stem height.
The cultivation conditions are the standard conditions used in the region.

The average parameters gathered at the harvesting of Anthirrhium majus are reported in Table 4.




Claims
1. A polymer composition for agricultural applications in the form of films for greenhouses
and small tunnel covers, films or filaments for shading nets and screens, mulch films, non-
wovens or molded articles for the protection of young plants comprising
a) a thermoplastic polymer;


2. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the uv-absoroer is selected rrom tne
group consisting of benzotriazole UV-absorbers, benzophenone UV-absorbers, hydroxy-
phenyl-triazine UV-absorbers and oxalic anilide UV-absorbers or mixtures thereof.
3. A polymer composition according to claim 2 wherein the hydroxybenzophenone is of
formula I

the 2-hydroxyphenyltriazine is of formula III


in the compounds of the formula (I) v is an integer from 1 to 3 and w is 1 or 2 and the substituents Z independently of one another are hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbon atoms;
in the compounds of the formula (lla),
R1 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 24 carbon atoms, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in
the alkyl moiety, cycloalkyi having 5 to 8 carbon atoms or a radical of the formula

M is a radical of the formula -COOR2 in which
Re is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl having in each case 1 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and in the alkoxy moiety or phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety.

R2 is hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and phenylalkyi having 1 to 4
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and
R3 is hydrogen, chlorine, alkyl or alkoxy having in each case 1 to 4 carbon atoms or -COOR6
in which R6 is as defined above, at least one of the radicals R1 and R2 being other than
hydrogen;

in which
T3 is hydrogen, alkyl which has 1 to 18 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups or by -OCOTe, alkyl which has 3 to 18 carbon atoms, is interrupted once or several times by -O- or -NTs- and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl or -OCOTe, cycloalkyi which has 5 to 12 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl and/or alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl which has 2 to 18 carbon atoms and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl

T4 and T5 independently of one another are hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkyl which has 3 to 18 carbon atoms and is interrupted once or several times by -O- or -NT6-, cycloalkyi having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety or hydroxyalkyi having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, T6 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyi having 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alky! having 1 to 4
carbon atoms, phenylalkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alky! moiety,
T7 is hydrogen, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl which is unsubstituted or
substituted by hydroxyl, phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, or -
CH2OT8,
Ts is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyi having
5 to 10 carbon atoms, phenyl, phenyl which is substituted by alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon
atoms, or phenylalkyi having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,
T2 is alkylene having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkenylene having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, alkynylene
having 4 carbon atoms, cyclohexylene, alkylene which has 2 to 8 carbon atoms and is
interrupted once or several times by -0-, or a radical of the formula -
CH2CH(OH)CH2OT11OCH2CH(OH)CH2- or -CH2-C(CH2OH)2-CH2-,
Tiois alkylene which has 2 to 20 carbon atoms and can be interrupted once or several times
by -O-, or cyclohexylene,
T11 is alkylene having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, alkylene which has 2 to 18 carbon atoms and is
interrupted once or several times by -0-, 1,3-cyclohexylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3-
phenylene or 1,4-phenylene, or
T10 and Te, together with the two nitrogen atoms, are a piperazine ring;
in the compounds of formula (lie)
R2 is C1-C12alkyl and k is a number from 1 to 4;
in the compounds of the formula (III)
u is 1 or 2 and r is an integer from 1 to 3, the substituents
Y1 independently of one another are hydrogen, hydroxyl, phenyl or halogen, halogenomethyl,
alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 18
carbon atoms which is substituted by a group -COO(C1-C18alkyl);
if u is 1,
Y2 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by
hydroxyl, halogen, alkyl or alkoxy having 1 to 18 carbon atoms;
alkyl which has 1 to 12 carbon atoms and is substituted by -COOH, -COOYg, -CONH2, -
CONHY9, -CONY9Y10, -NH2, -NHY9, -NY9Y10. -NHCOY11, -CN and/or -OCOYn;
alkyl which has 4 to 20 carbon atoms, is interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms and is
unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl or alkoxy having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl

having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, glycidyl, cyclohexyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by
hydroxy!, alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and/or -OCOYn, phenylalkY1 which has 1 to 5
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and is unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy!, chlorine
and/or methyl, -COY12 or -SO2Y13, or,
if u is 2,
Y2 is aikY1ene having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, aikenY1ene having 4 to 12 carbon atoms,
xylylene, aikY1ene which has 3 to 20 carbon atoms, is interrupted by one or more -O- atoms
and/or is substituted by hydroxy!, -CH2CH(OH)CH2-O-Y15-OCH2CH(OH)CH2, -CO-Y16-CO-, -
C0-NH-Y17"NH-C0- or -(CH2)m-CO2-Y18-OCO-(CH2)m, in which
m is 1, 2 or 3,
Y8 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 3 to 18 carbon atoms, alkyl which has
3 to 20 carbon atoms, is interrupted by one or more oxygen or sulfur atoms or -NTe- and/or is
substituted by hydroxyl, alkyl which has 1 to 4 carbon atoms and is substituted by -
P(O)(OY14)2, -NY9Y10 or -OCOY11 and/or hydroxyl, alkenyl having 3 to 18 carbon atoms,
glycidyl, or phenylalkY1 having 1 to 5 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,
Yg and Y10 independently of one another are alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkoxyalkyl
having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, dialkylaminoalkY1 having 4 to 16 carbon atoms or cyclohexyl
having 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or Y9 and Y10 together are aikY1ene, oxaalkylene or azaalkylene
having in each case 3 to 9 carbon atoms,
Y11 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms or phenyl,
Y12 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, alkenyl having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl, alkoxy
having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylamino having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or
phenylamino,
Y13 is alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, phenyl or alkylphenyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms in
the alkyl radical,
Y14 is alkyl having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or phenyl,
Y15 is aikY1ene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, phenylene or a group -phenylene-tert-phenylene-
in which M is -0-, -S-, -SO2-, -CH2- or -C(CH3)2-,
Y16 is aikY1ene, oxaalkylene or thiaalkylene having in each case 2 to 10 carbon atoms,
phenylene or aikenY1ene having 2 to 6 carbon atoms,
Y17 is aikY1ene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, phenylene or alkylphenylene having 1 to 11
carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, and
Y18 is aikY1ene having 2 to 10 carbon atoms or aikY1ene which has 4 to 20 carbon atoms and
is interrupted once or several times by oxygen;

in the compounds of the formula (IV) x is an integer from 1 to 3 and the substituents L independently of one another are hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy or alkylthio having in each case 1 to 22 carbon atoms, phenoxy or phenylthio.
4. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the total amount of UV-absorber is from 0,005 to 5% based on the weight of the polymer.
5. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the sterically hindered amine is selected from the group consisting of bis(2,2.6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)succinate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethl-1M-piperidyl)sebacate, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperi-dyl) n-butyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonate, the condensate of 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxypiperidine and succinic acid, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamineand 4-tert-octylamino-2,6-di-chloro-1,3,5-triazine, tris(2,2,6.6-tetramethyM-piperidyl)nitrilotriacetate, tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetra-methyl-4-piperidyl)-1,2,3,4-butane-tetracarboxylate, 1,1 '-(1,2-ethanediyl)-bis(3,3,5,5-tetrame-thylpiperazinone), 4-benzoyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine, bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-2-n-butyl-2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dhtert-butylbenzyl)-malonate, 3-n-octyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3.8-triazaspiro[4.5]decan-2.4-dione, bis(1 -octyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl)succinate, linear or cyclic condensates of N,N'-bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-morpholino-2,6-dichlorO-1,3,5-triazine, the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-n-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidyl )-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane. the condensate of 2-chloro-4,6-di-(4-n-butylamino-1,2,2,6,6-pentamethylpiperidyl)-1,3,5-triazine and 1,2-bis-(3-aminopropylamino)-ethane, 8-acetyl-3-dodecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5]decane-2,4-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidin-2,5-dione, 3-dodecyl-1 -(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, a mixture of 4-hexadecyloxy- and 4-stearyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine, a condensation product of N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexamethylenediamine and 4-cyclohexylamino-2,6-dichloro-1,3,5-triazine, a condensation product of 1,2-bis(3-aminopropylamino)ethane and 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine as well as 4-butylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (CAS Reg. No. [136504-96-6]); N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl)-n-dodecylsuccinimid, 2-undecyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxo-spiro[4,5]decane,

a reaction product of 7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-2-cycloundecyl-1-oxa-3,8-diaza-4-oxospiro [4,5]decane und epichlorohydrin, 1,1-bis(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyloxycarbonyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethene, N,N'-bis-formyl-N,N'-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)hexame-thylenediamine, diester of 4-methoxy-nnethylene-malonic acid with 1,2,2,6,6-pentametliyl-4-hydroxypiperidine, poly[methylpropyl-3-oxy-4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)]siioxane and reaction product of maleic acid anhydride-a-olefin-copolymer with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-aminopiperidine, 1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-aminopiperidine or a compound

in which n is from 1 to 15.
6. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the sterically hindered amine compound is present in an amount of from 0.005 to 5 % by weight, based on the weight of the polymer.


8. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein R101 and R102 are methyl.
9. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the condensation product is present
in an amount of from 0.005% to 10% by weight based on the weight of the thermoplastic
polymer.
10. A polymer composition according to claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyvinylalcohol, a polyvinylacetate and a polycarbonate.
11. A polymer composition according to claim 1, which is in the form of a film with a thickness from 10 µ to 300µ.
12. A polymer composition according to claim 11 wherein the film is a multilayer construction of between 2 and 7 polymer layers containing the condensation product, component b) and the components c1), c2) or c3) according to claim 1 in at least 1 layer.
13. A polymer composition according to claim 1 containing an additional additive, selected
from the group consisting of a phenolic antioxidant, a phosphite or phosphonite, a further
fluorescent dye or pigment, a processing aid, a filler or reinforcing material and an antifog
additive.
14. A process for enhancing plant growth, comprising exposing a plant to actinic radiation
behind or under a thermoplastic polymer composition according to claim 1.



as plant growth enhancing additive in thermoplastic polymers for agricultural applications in the form of films for greenhouses and small tunnel covers, films or filaments for shading nets and screens, mulch films, non-wovens or molded articles for the protection of young plants.

a sterically hindered amine, containing at least one radical of the formula


as plant growth enhancing additive in thermoplastic polymers for agricultural applications in the form of films for greenhouses and small tunnel covers, films or filaments for shading nets and screens, mulch films, non-wovens or molded articles for the protection of young plants.

17. A polymer composition substantially as herein described and exemplified.
18. A process for enhancing plant growth substantially as herein described and exemplified.


Documents:

842-CHE-2003 AMENDED CLAIMS 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 AMENDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 03-05-2012.pdf

842-CHE-2003 EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECEIVED 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 FORM-1 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 FORM-3 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 OTHER PATENT DOCUMENT 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 POWER OF ATTORNEY 21-09-2011.pdf

842-CHE-2003 AMENDED CLAIMS 24-04-2012.pdf

842-CHE-2003 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 17-04-2012.pdf

842-CHE-2003 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS 24-04-2012.pdf

842-CHE-2003 FORM-13 03-10-2008.pdf

842-che-2003-abstract.pdf

842-che-2003-claims.pdf

842-che-2003-correspondnece-others.pdf

842-che-2003-correspondnece-po.pdf

842-che-2003-description(complete).pdf

842-che-2003-form 1.pdf

842-che-2003-form 26.pdf

842-che-2003-form 3.pdf

842-che-2003-form 5.pdf


Patent Number 252953
Indian Patent Application Number 842/CHE/2003
PG Journal Number 24/2012
Publication Date 15-Jun-2012
Grant Date 11-Jun-2012
Date of Filing 20-Oct-2003
Name of Patentee CIBA HOLDING INC.
Applicant Address KLYBECKSTRASSE 141, CH-4057 BASEL, SWITZERLAND.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 DESTRO MARA VIA EMILIA LEVANTE, 134/3, 40100 BOLOGNA, ITALY.
2 BONORA MICHELA VIA VOLONTARI DELLA LIBERTA 9, 40135 BOLOGBA, ITALY.
3 MAGNANI, GALILEO VIA BORGO DELLA VITTORIA 14, 51017 PESCIA PT, ITALY.
PCT International Classification Number A01G9/14; B32B27/18; C08J5/18
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 02 405 904.0 2002-10-22 EUROPEAN UNION