Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for mitigating polymer degradation in poly(hydroxyalkanoates), which include carboxylic acid end groups and monomeric repeat units which are susceptible to degradation to form unsaturated carboxylic acid by-products. The carboxylic acid end groups are reacted with an end-capping agent selected from the group consisting of carbodiimides, diisocyanates, epoxides, and mixtures thereof, and the poly(hydroxyalkanoates) are also reacted with an acid anhydride to graft side chains onto the poly(hydroxyalkanoates).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a plastisol composition which includes from about 1 to about 49 weight percent of at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate. The plastisol composition also includes from about 51 to about 99 weight percent of at least one plasticizer selected from the group consisting of epoxidized vegetable oils, citric acid esters, triglycerides, and mixtures thereof. A screen-printing ink, which includes the plastisol, is also disclosed.