Abstract: A blend of a multiply branched lactic acid polymer of one steric configuration with a linear lactic acid polymer of the opposite steric configuration has different and more useful properties than either component alone.

Abstract: Poly(lactic acid) blends having a relatively high heat distortion temperature can be prepared by simple blending of PLA polymers of opposite stereoforms, followed by processing, e.g. by injection molding, under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, so as to produce a blend which, on differential scanning calorimetry, exhibits two peaks within the melting range of the stereocomplex. Moreover, by careful selection of these conditions of temperature and pressure, it is possible to use PLA polymers of significantly higher molecular weights than previously thought possible.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing a hyperbranched polymer having a weight-average molar mass of at least 30,000, comprising coupling a first prepolymer having at least three functional end groups with a second prepolymer having at least two functional end groups by a dehydration condensation reaction between the end groups in the prepolymers. According to the present invention the number of arms and/or molar mass of the functionalized prepolymers can accurately be adjusted, thus affecting the properties of the resulting hyperbranched polymer in a desired way. Thus the polymer can be equipped e.g. with hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. Also, the number of functional end groups, that optionally can be used for further chemical reactions, in the hyperbranched polymer can easily be adjusted to a desired level.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyperbranched polymer having a weight-average molar mass of at least 30,000, includes coupling a first prepolymer having at least three functional end groups with a second prepolymer having at least two functional end groups by a dehydration condensation reaction between the end groups in the prepolymers. The number of arms and/or molar mass of the functionalized prepolymers can accurately be adjusted, thus affecting the properties of the resulting hyperbranched polymer in a desired way. The polymer can be equipped e.g. with hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. Also, the number of functional end groups, that optionally can be used for further chemical reactions, in the hyperbranched polymer can easily be adjusted to a desired level. The hyperbranched high molar mass polymer can be prepared in high yields without the use of organic solvents or linking compounds, which is advantageous from an environmental as well as an economical point of view.

Abstract: The present invention describes a polyhydroxycarboxylic acid having bimodal or multimodal molar mass distribution, a process for the preparation thereof, the use of an aromatic diol having a single benzene ring for the preparation of polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, in particular polyhydroxycarboxylic acid having bimodal or multimodal molar mass distribution, as well as a method of preparing injection-molded goods or blown film, polymer blends, composite materials or nanocomposite materials using said polyhdroxycarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hyperbranched polymer having a weight-average molar mass of at least 30,000, includes coupling a first prepolymer having at least three functional end groups with a second prepolymer having at least two functional end groups by a dehydration condensation reaction between the end groups in the prepolymers. The number of arms and/or molar mass of the functionalized prepolymers can accurately be adjusted, thus affecting the properties of the resulting hyperbranched polymer in a desired way. The polymer can be equipped e.g. with hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts. Also, the number of functional end groups, that optionally can be used for further chemical reactions, in the hyperbranched polymer can easily be adjusted to a desired level. The hyperbranched high molar mass polymer can be prepared in high yields without the use of organic solvents or linking compounds, which is advantageous from an environmental as well as an economical point of view.

Abstract: Polylactic acid blends having a relatively high heat distortion temperature can be prepared by simple blending of PLA polymers of opposite stereoforms, followed by processing, e.g. by injection moulding, under specific conditions of temperature and pressure, so as to produce a blend which, on differential scanning calorimetry, exhibits two peaks within the melting range of the stereocomplex. Moreover, by careful selection of these conditions of temperature and pressure, it is possible to use PLA polymers of significantly higher molecular weights than previously thought possible.

Abstract: A blend of a multiply branched lactic acid polymer of one steric configuration with a linear lactic acid polymer of the opposite steric configuration has different and more useful properties than either component alone.