Abstract: A continuous process for the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic ester monomers to form aliphatic polyesters at a temperature between 100-240° C. which includes a) continuously providing cyclic ester monomer and polymerisation catalyst to a continuous mixing reactor, the reactor being operated at conditions effective for polymerisation to form a pre-polymerised reaction mixture, b) continuously removing pre-polymerised reaction mixture from the continuous mixing reactor and continuously providing pre-polymerised reaction mixture to a plug flow reactor, the plug flow reactor being operated under polymerisation conditions, wherein the reaction mixture is polymerised to a degree of polymerisation of at least 90%, to form polymer, and c) continuously removing polymer from the plug flow reactor.

Abstract: The method for the esterification of a fatty acid F is carried out in a column with a packing. In addition to functioning as a catalytic reactor, the packing functions as a stripping section. A heteregenous catalysis of a fatty acid is carried out with an alcohol used in the same molar ratio or in excess. A gaseous alcohol-rich counter-flow is produced in a sump of the column by vaporization. Water is removed from the reaction zone by means of the counter-flow acting as a stripping gas. The loaded stripping gas is at least partially liquefied at the head of the column. The head product is separated into a water-rich fraction as well as an alcohol-rich fraction. The alcohol-rich fraction is returned to the process as a starting material for the esterification and for the production of the stripping gas.