Abstract: A process for producing a polyester having 2,5-furandicarboxylate units includes: a) providing or producing a starting composition including 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, an aliphatic diol and a suppressant for suppressing ether formation between the aliphatic diol molecules, b) subjecting the starting composition to esterification conditions to produce an ester composition, and c) contacting the ester composition with a germanium containing catalyst at polycondensation conditions to produce a polyester including 2,5-furandicarboxylate units, where the suppressant includes amines and lithium hydroxide.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyester having 2,5-furandicarboxylate units includes subjecting a starting composition including 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic diol to esterification conditions to produce an ester composition and contacting the ester composition with a germanium containing solution at polycondensation conditions to produce a polyester including 2,5-furandicarboxylate units, and polyester including 2,5-furandicarboxylate units including of from 5 to 100 ppm of germanium and having a number average molecular weight of at least 30 kg/mol.