Abstract: A method for preparing a shaped polylactide article including stereocomplex polylactide and to a shaped article obtainable by the method. In particular the method comprises melt mixing and solidifying poly-L-lactide (PLLA) and poly-D-lactide (PDLA) homopolymers in a weight ratio whereby one of the homopolymers is in excess, subsequently solid mixing the so obtained blend with additional homopolymer, and shaping the obtained solids mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a shaped polylactide article including stereocomplex polylactide and to a shaped article obtainable by the method. In particular the method comprises melt mixing and solidifying poly-L-lactide (PLLA) and poly-D-lactide (PDLA) homopolymers in a weight ratio whereby one of the homopolymers is in excess, subsequently solid mixing the so obtained blend with additional homopolymer, and shaping the obtained solids mixture.

Abstract: Continuous process of forming aliphatic polyesters The process includes continuously providing cyclic ester monomer and polymerization catalyst to a continuous mixing loop reactor (CMLR) having static mixing elements and operated at a temperature between 100 and 240° C. to form a pre-polymerized reaction mixture. The conversion is between 40 and less than 90 wt. %, wherein the cyclic ester monomer comprises lactide having a free acid content lower than 50 milli-equivalents per kg. The pre-polymerized reaction mixture is continuously provided to a plug flow reactor that is a static mixer reactor having static mixing elements and is operated at a temperature between 110-240° C., wherein the reaction mixture is polymerized to a conversion of at least 90%, to form polymer wherein the flow ratio of the CMLR and the plug flow reactor is between 1.5 an d50. The process includes continuously removing polymer from the plug flow reactor devolitizing the polymer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) included the steps of a) mixing a cyclic diester of a 2-hydroxyalkanoic acid and a polymerization catalyst, b) polymerizing the cyclic diester to form poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) in liquid phase, c) adding a phosphoric acid ester as a catalyst deactivating agent to the liquid phase, d) applying a devolatilization step to the liquid phase, and e) allowing the poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) to solidify. The catalyst deactivating agent is added after the devolatilization step is applied. The method results in an improved melt stability of the manufactured polymer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) included the steps of a) mixing a cyclic diester of a 2-hydroxyalkanoic acid and a polymerization catalyst, b) polymerizing the cyclic diester to form poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) in liquid phase, c) adding a phosphoric acid ester as a catalyst deactivating agent to the liquid phase, d) applying a devolatilisation step to the liquid phase, and e) allowing the poly(2-hydroxyalkanoic acid) to solidify. The catalyst deactivating agent is added after the devolatilisation step is applied. The method results in an improved melt stability of the manufactured polymer.

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.