Abstract: A copolymer is described comprising a first repeating unit from a compound selected from the consisting of a pentadecalactone and a dioxanone in combination with a second repeating unit derived from at least one additional ester repeating unit-yielding monomer, wherein the copolymer does not comprise any further repeating units except for said first and second repeating units, a melting temperature of at least 70° C., and a crystalline content selected from the group consisting of an overall crystalline content of at least 25% and a crystalline content of the first repeating unit of at least 20%.

Abstract: The present invention concerns polymer materials useful for medical devices as well as medical devices prepared therefrom, including in particular surgical sutures, artificial ligaments, nets for tissue regeneration or vascular plugs. The present invention also concerns a method for preparing such articles, in particular filaments suitable for the preparation of sutures and nets.

Abstract: A membrane is produced by dissolving one or more polymers, at least one of which is a block copolymer, in a liquid which includes a solvent, to produce a casting solution. The casting solution is formed into film, and the film is immersed into a precipitation bath which contains at least one non-solvent for the block copolymer so that the film forms a membrane. The membrane is used for filtering a fluid that contains colloidal particles or proteins, and/or for ultrafiltration or nanofiltration, by flowing the fluid through the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention concerns blends comprising at least one shape memory polymer and at least one thermoplastic polymer, wherein this thermoplastic polymer does not show shape memory properties. The present invention furthermore concerns methods for preparing such blends and the use of these blends in various applications, including additional products, household equipment etc.