Polymeric compositions

1. A composition comprising

(a) a thermoplastic polymer,

(b) a cellulosic material, and

(c) a functional filler;

wherein:

the thermoplastic polymer comprises a first polymer and a second polymer;

at least one of the first and second polymers comprises high-density polyethylene (HDPE);

the HDPE is present in an amount ranging from about 10% to about 70% by weight based on the total weight of the composition;

the first polymer is a recycled polymer, and the second polymer is a virgin polymer;

at least 50% by weight of the thermoplastic polymer is recycled polymer;

the functional filler comprises an inorganic particulate and a surface treatment agent on a surface of the inorganic particulate; and

the surface treatment agent comprises a first compound, wherein the first compound has a formula (1):

A-(X—Y—CO) m (O—B—CO) n OH  (1)

wherein

A is a moiety containing a terminating ethylenic bond with one or two adjacent carbonyl groups;

X is O and m is 1 to 4 or X is N and m is 1;

Y is C1-18-alkylene or C2-18-alkenylene;

B is C2-6-alkylene; and

n is 0 to 5;

provided that when A contains two carbonyl groups adjacent to the ethylenic group, X is N.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the recycled polymer comprises recycled post-consumer polymer waste.

3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second polymers comprises polyethylene and optionally polypropylene.

4. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the thermoplastic polymer is coupled to the inorganic particulate via the surface treatment agent.

5. The composition according to claim 3 , wherein the polyethylene is coupled to the inorganic particulate via the surface treatment agent.

6. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises at least two polyethylene polymers that are coupled to the inorganic particulate via the surface treatment agent.

7. The composition according to claim 6 , wherein the first of the at least two polyethylene polymers has a melt flow rate (MFR) of less than 0.75 g/10 mins @ 190° C./2.16 kg.

8. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the HDPE of the first polyethylene polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 10% to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

9. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the HDPE of the first polyethylene constitutes from about 30% to about 70% by weight of the total amount of thermoplastic polymer.

10. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the inorganic particulate comprises calcium carbonate.

11. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a secondary filler that is not treated with a surface treatment agent.

12. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises from about 10% to about 80% by weight thermoplastic polymer, from about 20% to about 80% cellulosic material, and from about 1% to about 70% by weight functional filler, based on the total weight of the composition.

13. The composition according to claim 12 , wherein the weight ratio of cellulosic material to thermoplastic polymer is greater than about 1:1.

14. The composition according to claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises from about 20% to about 50% by weight thermoplastic polymer, from about 40% to about 70% cellulosic material, and from about 1% to about 50% by weight functional filler, based on the total weight of the composition.

15. The composition according to claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises from about 2% to about 20% by weight of the functional filler and further comprises from about 2 to about 25% by weight of a secondary filler.

16. The composition according to claim 15 , wherein the secondary filler is uncoated talc, carbon black or mica.

17. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an antioxidant and/or a colourant.

18. A masterbatch from which the composition according to claim 17 is formed.