CELLULOSE/PLASTIC COMPOSITES

1 . A compatibilizer for cellulose/plastic composites comprising reaction products of maleic anhydride and/or itaconic anhydride with one or more olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds.

2 . A compatibilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that esters of fatty acids with polyols from the group consisting of glycol, trimethylolpropane, glycerol, dipentaerythritol and pentaerythritol are used as the olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds in production of the compatibilizer, with the proviso that these esters have an iodine value of 10 to 250.

3 . A compatibilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that triglycerides of C 8-24 fatty acids are used as the one or more olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds in production of the compatibilizer, with the proviso that these esters have an iodine value of 30 to 230.

4 . A oompatibilizer according to claim 3 , characterized in that the one or more olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds used in production of the compatibilizer are selected from the group consisting of sunflower oil from old and/or new plants, soybean oil, fish oil, tallow, rapeseed oil, tall oil, thistle oil, peanut oil and linseed oil.

5 . A compatibilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that wood is used as cellulose in the cellulose/plastic composite.

6 . A compatibilizer according to claim 5 , characterized in that the wood is used in the form of particles, chips, fine powders or fibers.

7 . A compatibilizer according to claim 1 characterized in that thermoplastics are used as plastic in the cellulose/plastic composites.

8 . A compatibilizer according to claim 1 , characterized in that polyvinyl chloride is used as plastic in the cellulose/plastic composite.

9 . Cellulose/plastic composites containing (a) cellulose-containing native polymer, (b) a plastic, and (c) a compatibilizer obtainable by reaction of maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, or a mixture thereof with one or more olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds.

10 . A process for the production of cellulose-containing native polymer/plastic composites, characterized in that (a) cellulose-containing native polymer, (b) a plastic, and (c) a compatibilizer obtainable by reaction of maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, or a mixture thereof with one or more olefinically-unsaturated fatty compounds are combined, mixed together, preferably at a temperature of from 50° to 130° C., resulting in a dry blend that is subsequently heated to a temperature above the melting temperature of the plastic, subjected to the desired shaping process and allowed to cool.

11 . A process according to claim 10 , characterized in that a premix of components (b) and (c) is created then combined with component (a).