Abstract: Provided is a heat-shrinkable polyester-based film having: a slow shrinkage speed; a shrinkage rate that increases gently with the increase of temperature; a large shrinkage stress; and an excellent shrinkage finish. This heat-shrinkable polyester-based film is characterized in that: the ratio (A1/A2) between the absorbancy (A1) at 1340 cm?1 of the heat-shrinkable polyester-based film measured by the polarized ATR-FTIR method and the absorbancy (A2) at 1410 cm?1 is from 0.65 to 0.9 in the main shrinkage direction of the film and from 0.45 to 0.75 in the direction orthogonal to the main shrinkage direction; and the warm-water heat shrinkage rate for when the film is immersed in 90-degree warm water for 10 seconds is from 40% to 60% in the main shrinkage direction of the film and from 0% to 12% in the direction orthogonal to the main shrinkage direction.

Abstract: Polyester polyols are generally disclosed, including methods of making and using them. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols are incorporated into a block copolymer, such as a polyurethane block copolymer. In some embodiments, the polyurethane block copolymers can be used as compatibilizing agents, which can be used, for example, in polymer blends, polymer alloys, solutions, emulsions, as well as in extruded and injection molded articles. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the polyurethane block copolymer is derived from a renewable source.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a linear or branched amine-modified thermoplastic resin with high flowability using as starting materials a linear or branched polyester and a primary or secondary aliphatic amine. The process does not require that the amine and polyester be combined in a liquid organic solvent during the process, and can be performed readily at ambient pressure. The amine-modified resins can be extruded and pelletized using normal operating conditions, making this process a versatile option for achieving a wide variety of viscosities in a simple, low cost, continuous operation.

Abstract: Biodegradable saturated and unsaturated polyester amides (PEA)s made from multiamino acid monomers and methods of making biodegradable saturated and unsaturated PEAs.

Abstract: A blend of polylactic acid resin and copolyester resin, which has excellent impact resistance and heat resistance, and a molded article manufactured using the same are disclosed. The blend of polylactic acid resin and copolyester resin, comprises 5 to 94 wt % of a polylactic acid resin; 3 to 92 wt % of a copolyester resin comprising a dicarboxylic acid component, which contains a terephthalic acid residue, and a diol component which contains 3 to 99 mol % of a cyclohexanedimethanol residue and 1 to 60 mol % of an isosorbide residue; and 3-30 wt % of a compatibilizer containing at least one reactive functional group selected from the group consisting of glycidyl, maleic anhydride, epoxy, isocyanate, amino, carboxylic acid and oxazoline groups, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A liquid crystal polyester resin composition of the present invention comprises: 100 parts by mass of a liquid crystal polyester; and 50 to 150 parts by mass of titanium oxide, wherein the liquid crystal polyester comprises 2 to 30 mole % of a repeating structural unit represented by the following formula (1), and 40 to 80 mole % of a repeating structural unit represented by the following formula (2).

Abstract: A method for the production of solid polyester polymer particles comprising: a) polycondensing a molten polyester polymer composition in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst composition comprising antimony species; b) continuing the polycondenzation of the molten polyester polymer composition to an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more; and c) after reaching an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more, adding a catalyst stabilizer or deactivator to the polymer melt; and d) after reaching an It.V. of 0.68 dL/g or more, solidifying the melt into solid polyester polymer particles which do not contain organic acetaldehyde scavengers. In a further embodiment, after solidification of the polyester from the melt phase polycondenzation process: e) the amount of residual acetaldehyde in the particles in the solid state is reduced to a level of 10 ppm or less without increasing the It.V. of the particles by more than 0.03 dL/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water and solvent-free polymers, in particular water and solvent-free synthetic rubber products like styrene butadiene rubber products and butadiene rubber products as well as a process for the production thereof. The invention further relates to a device suitable to accomplish said process.

Abstract: Polyester compositions for use in injection stretch blow molded articles having intrinsic viscosities in the range from about 0.65 to about 0.78 dl/g, and carboxyl end group concentrations of about 47 mmole/kg or more are provided. Stretch blow molded articles formed from these polyester compositions and methods to produce these articles are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing polycarbonate by melt polymerization can comprise: (a) adding acetone, diaryl carbonate, and dihydroxy compound to the melt polymerization unit, wherein the acetone is added to the melt polymerization unit as a mixture with the diaryl carbonate and/or the dihydroxy compound; (b) adding a catalyst to the melt polymerization unit, optionally without separating out acetone prior to the addition of the catalyst; and (c) operating the melt polymerization unit under conditions so that the diaryl carbonate(s) and dihydroxy compound(s); dihydroxy compound reacts with the diaryl carbonate to produce polycarbonate with a desired specification, and a phenol by-product.

Abstract: A method for producing a polycarbonate comprising: reacting a diaryl carbonate with a dihydroxy compound to form a polycarbonate, wherein the polycarbonate comprises: less than or equal to 1000 ppb of molybdenum; less than or equal to 33 ppb of vanadium; less than or equal to 33 ppb of chromium; less than or equal to 375 ppb of niobium; less than or equal to 33 ppb of nickel; less than or equal to 10 ppb of zirconium; and less or equal to 10 ppb iron.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing high-functionality polyetherols by reacting at least one trifunctional or higher-functionality alcohol and if appropriate further di- and/or monofunctional alcohols and/or modifying reagents, with the aid of acidic catalysts, where the trifunctional or higher-functionality alcohol is not glycerol. The present invention further relates to high-functionality polyetherols obtainable by such a process and to the use of these high-functionality polyetherols as adhesion promoters, thixotropic agents, rheology modifiers of polymers, phase transfer reagents, micro- or nanocontainers for biologically active compounds, for example for active medical ingredients, biocides, herbicides or fungicides, as pigment dispersants, an additive in printing inks or as structural units for preparing polyaddition or polycondensation polymers or for treatment of seed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-based composite resin composition which has an excellent long-term storage stability and which enables formation of a coating film having an excellent water resistance and solvent resistance. The present invention relates to a water-based composite resin composition and a coating agent; the water-based composite resin composition containing composite resin particles (A) and an aqueous medium (B), the composite resin particles (A) containing polyester resin (a1) particles having a sulfonate group and an epoxy resin (a2) of which some or all parts are encapsulated in the polyester resin (a1) particles, wherein a mass ratio [(a1)/(a2)] of the polyester resin (a1) to the epoxy resin (a2) in the composite resin particles (A) is in the range of 95/5 to 30/70.

Abstract: A thermoplastic resin composition according to the present invention contains an inorganic filler and a thermoplastic resin whose main chain contains a repeating unit represented by the general formula (1): -M-Sp- . . . ??(1) wherein M represents a mesogenic group; and Sp represents a spacer.

Abstract: A biphasic material and devices comprising the same are provided for the development of conductive conduits that may be used for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. These devices or conduits are designed such that repeated electric field gradients can be initiated to promote neurite and axonal outgrowth. Conducting conduits using doped synthetic and/or natural polymers create specifically patterned high and low conducting segmented materials, which are mechanically used to produce the electrical properties needed for nerve conduits. These electrical properties stimulate neurite outgrowth and axonal repair following a peripheral nerve transection.

Abstract: A breathable, heat-sealable composite film comprising first and second layers of polymeric material wherein (i) the polymeric material of the first layer comprises copolyester comprising monomeric units derived from one or more diol(s); one or more dicarboxylic acid(s); and one or more poly(alkylene oxide)glycol(s); and (ii) the second layer is a heat-sealable polymeric layer, and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biodegradable polymer mixtures comprising i) 40% to 95% by weight, based on the total weight of components i to ii, of at least one polyester based on aliphatic or aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aliphatic dihydroxy compounds; ii) 5% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of said components i to ii, of polyalkylene carbonate, particularly polypropylene carbonate; iii) 0% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of said components i to iii, of at least one biodegradable homo- or copolyester selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polycaprolactone and polyhydroxyalkanoate, and/or of an inorganic or organic filler; iv) 0% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of said components i to ii, of an epoxy-containing copolymer based on styrene, acrylic ester and/or methacrylic ester, and v) 0% to 15% by weight of an additive selected from the group consisting of lubricant, antiblocking agent, antistat, UV absorber, UV stabilizer, thermal stabil

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer, including: (i) bringing a compressive fluid and raw materials containing a ring-opening polymerizable monomer into contact with each other at a mixing ratio represented by the following formula, to thereby allow the ring-opening polymerizable monomer to carry out ring-opening polymerization: 1>{Mass of the raw materials/(Mass of the raw materials+Mass of the compressive fluid)}?0.5.

Abstract: A method for measuring the thermal stability of succinic acid includes the following steps: 1) preparing a succinic acid crystal powder having less than 1% residual water content; 2) placing 10 g of the crystal powder in an oven at 220° C. for 2 hours; 3) pulverizing and sieving the crystal powder processed in this way, such that the particle size distribution thereof is between 0 and 10%, and preferably between 4 and 6% for particles larger than 500 ?m in size, between 20 and 40%, and preferably between 25 and 35% for particles between 200 and 500 ?m in size, between 50 and 75% and preferably between 55 and 70% for particles smaller than 200 ?m in size; and 4) measuring the colour, in a spectrocolorimeter, of the pulverized and sieved powder and determining the average value of the yellow (index “b”).

Abstract: Provided is a composition with partially aromatic polyester polymers having an It.V. of at least 0.50 dL/g, produced in an ester exchange melt phase process, having from zero or greater than zero to less than 5 ppm titanium, from zero or greater than zero to less then 10 ppm germanium, and from zero or greater than zero to less than 20 ppm manganese.

Abstract: A method for producing polymer particles, including (A) polymerizing and granulating a ring-opening polymerizable monomer in a compressive fluid with a catalyst in the presence of a surfactant, or (B) polymerizing and granulating an addition polymerizable monomer in a compressive fluid in the presence of a silicone surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

Abstract: The present invention provides inventive polyol-based polymers, materials, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the inventive polymers and materials. In certain aspects of the invention, an inventive polymer corresponds to a polymer depicted below. Exemplary inventive polymers includes those prepared using polyol units (e.g., xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, or maltitol) condensed with polycarboxylic acid units (e.g., citric acid, glutaric acid, or sebacic acid). The inventive polymers may be further derivatized or modified. For example, the polymer may be made photocrosslinkable by adding methacrylate moieties to the polymer.

Abstract: A thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) composition comprising an unsaturated polyester polymer having at least two strained cycloolefinic double bonds and optional unstrained cycloolefinic double bonds, which can be cross-linked through a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) or combination of ROMP and cationic or free radical polymerization is provided. No styrene is used in the resin composition. The thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin composition also comprises a catalyst system for the ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and in embodiments, can further comprise one or more optional unsubstituted or substituted cycloolefin monomer containing unsaturation, an optional co-catalyst selected from a cationic initiator or free radical initiator, and optional additives. The cured resin properties can be controlled through adjusting the structure and properties of the unsaturated polyester resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from ethylene glycol (EG), purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and optionally up to 6 mol % comonomer, using a mixed metal catalyst system and comprising the steps of a) esterifying EG and PTA to form diethyleneglycol terephthalate and oligomers (DGT), and b) melt-phase polycondensing DGT to form PET and EG, wherein the catalyst system substantially consists of 70-160 ppm of Sb-compound, 20-70 ppm of Zn-compound, and 0.5-20 ppm of Ti-glycolate as active components (ppm metal based on PET). With this process that applies reduced amount of metal catalyst components PET can be obtained with high productivity, which polyester shows favorable color and optical clarity, also if recycling of EG is applied within the process.

Abstract: A polyester polymer comprising alkylene arylate units, said polymer having an It.V. of at least 0.72 dl/g, a vinyl ends concentration of at least 0.8 microequivalents per gram, an AA generation rate of less than 20 ppm are prepared by addition of a catalyst deactivator either late in the polycondensation or upon remelting of a solid polyester polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing high-molecular-weight copolyesters with use of a kneader.

Abstract: A method for producing a polymer, including: (i) bringing a compressive fluid and raw materials containing a ring-opening polymerizable monomer into contact with each other at a mixing ratio represented by the following formula, to thereby allow the ring-opening polymerizable monomer to carry out ring-opening polymerization in the presence of a metal catalyst: 1{Mass of the raw materials/(Mass of the raw materials+Mass of the compressive fluid)}0.5.

Abstract: An alkyd resin formed by reacting waste cooking oil, one or more aromatic polycarboxylic acids, aliphatic polycarboxylic acids, or esterified polymerization products, and one or more polyols.

Abstract: Polymers for photoresists and monomers for incorporation into those polymers are disclosed. The polymers comprise at least two components: an acid labile component and a photolytically stable and acid-stable component. The polymers may also contain a third, photoacid generator (PAG) component. The acid-labile component is based on the presence of a readily cleavable oxygen-carbon bond that usually occurs in a sterically hindered ether or ester.

Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions comprising at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) about 80 to about 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) about 0 to about 20 mole % of aromatic and/or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 1 to about 49 mole % spiro-glycol residues; and (ii) about 51 to about 99 mole % at least one glycol chosen from at least one of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

Abstract: A radiation-cure removable type pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet includes: a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer made from a polyester-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a polyester including at least a lactic acid unit, a dibasic acid unit, and a glycol unit, a radiation-cure resin, a radiation reaction initiator, and a crosslinking agent. The dibasic acid unit includes a dimer acid, the polyester has a glass transition temperature of ?70 to ?20° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 200,000, and a hydroxyl value of 1 to 60 mgKOH/g, the composition contains 30 to 70 parts by weight of the radiation-cure resin based on 100 parts by weight of the polyester and contains 3 to 10% by weight of the radiation reaction initiator based on the amount of the radiation-cure resin.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyester resin composition includes conducting polyconensation via esterification or transesterification, wherein an alkali metal phosphate in an amount of 1.3 mol/ton to 3.0 mol/ton and phosphoric acid in an amount of 0.4 to 1.5 times (by mole) that of the alkali metal phosphate are added at a stage between the point of time when the esterication or transesterification has been substantially completed and the point of time when the intrinsic viscosity reaches 0.4. A polyester resin composition obtained by the process exhibits excellent long-term hydrolysis resistance and excellent mechanical characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a shaped article having excellent mechanical properties, said article comprising a block copolymer PAX.Y/PE comprising polyamide (PA) blocks alternating with polyether (PE) blocks, prepared from homopolyamide blocks PAX.Y by polycondenstation of linear aliphatic diamines where PAX.Y is selected from the group consisting of PA 10,12; PA 6,18; PA 10,14; and PA 12.12, reacted with polyether PE blocks in the presence of a catalyst to produce a block copolymer PAX.Y/PE, wherein said PE blocks are either PE diols, or PE blocks comprising NH2 ends. The articles formed are either a fabric, film, sheet, rod, pipe, injection-molded component, or a shoe sole; the copolymer PAX.Y/PE has an improved flexural modulus of at least 300 MPa greater than a copolymer polyamide 12/polytetrametylene with the same size of PA block and with the same size of PE block respectively.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as adipate, 6-aminocaproate, hexamethylenediamine or caprolactam. Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce adipate, 6-aminocaproate, hexamethylenediamine or caprolactam.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing defined functional lactic acid oligomers can include contacting lactide with at least one compound that is a transfer agent. Oligomers can be prepared according to the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a test and test apparatus used to determine whether lactic acid is suitable for polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering lactide from polylactide (PLA) or glycolide from polyglycolide (PGA), in which, in a first step, PLA or PGA is contacted with a hydrolysing medium and hydrolytically degraded to oligomers. In a further step, a cyclising depolymerisation of the oligomers obtained in the first step is effected to give lactide or glycolide. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus based on the combination of a hydrolysis apparatus with a depolymerisation reactor, with which the above-described process can be performed. The core of the process according to the invention is a partial hydrolysis of the polymeric materials originally used in combination with a cyclising depolymerisation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of organic chemistry and particularly to the optical retardation films for liquid crystal displays. The present invention provides an optical film comprising a substrate having front and rear surfaces, and at least one solid retardation layer on the front surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a polycarbonate copolymer containing a plant-derived raw material, which is excellent in the mechanical strength and heat-resistant and assured of small refractive index, large Abbe number, small birefringence and excellent transparency. The present invention provides a polycarbonate copolymer containing a constitutional unit derived from a dihydroxy compound represented by the following formula (1) and a constitutional unit derived from an alicyclic dihydroxy compound, wherein the Abbe number is 50 or more and the 5% thermal reduction temperature is 340° C. or more; and a method of producing this polycarbonate copolymer by reacting a dihydroxy compound represented by the following formula (1) and an alicyclic hydroxy compound with a carbonic acid diester in the presence of a polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from ethylene glycol (EG), purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and optionally up to 30 mol % comonomer, using a catalyst system essentially consisting of antimony—(Sb), zinc—(Zn) and phosphorous—(P) compounds, comprising the steps of a) esterifying EG and PTA to form diethyleneglycol terephthalate and oligomers (DGT), and b) melt-phase polycondensing DGT to form polyester and EG1 wherein the Sb- and P-compounds are added in step a) and the Zn-compound is added after step a). With this process PET can be obtained that shows favorable color and optical clarity, also if recycling of EG is applied in the process, and a relatively low rate of acetaldehyde regeneration during melt-processing.

Abstract: A film formed from a polymer composition containing one or more thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers is provided. The specific nature of the polymer or blend of polymers is selectively controlled so that the resulting polymer composition possesses both a low viscosity and high melt strength. The present inventor has discovered that this unique combination of thermal properties results in a composition that is both highly melt processible and stretchable, which allows the resulting film to be oriented to a degree greater than previously thought possible.

Abstract: Provided is a copolymer. The copolymer, when incorporated into a resist composition, can provide a satisfactory resist pattern with high sensitivity, high resolution, high etching resistance and a reduced amount of outgas.

Abstract: To pvodie a method for producing a polymer, which contains continuously supplying and bringing at least a ring-opening polymerizable monomer and a compressive fluid into contact with each other, to thereby allow the ring-opening polymerizable monomer to carry out ring-opening polymerization to continuously generate a polymer.

Abstract: A diol composition includes a diol as a major component and has an electrical conductivity of 0.6 to 30 mS/m.

Abstract: Implantable devices formed of or coated with a material that includes an amorphous poly(D,L-lactide) formed of a starting material such as meso-D,L-lactide are provided. The implantable device can be used for the treatment, mitigation, prevention, or inhibition of a disorder such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, patent foramen ovale, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, ureter obstruction, tumor obstruction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for degrading a readily degradable resin composition comprising an aliphatic polyester (A) which is biodegradable, and an aliphatic polyester (B?) which releases an acid upon hydrolysis and which is biodegradable at a higher degradation rate than that of the aliphatic polyester (A), the method comprising degrading the readily degradable resin composition in an enzyme reaction liquid containing a degradation enzyme, and an acid neutralizing agent incompatible with the enzyme reaction liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures comprising of biodegradable polyesters comprising at least one polymer of natural origin and at least two aliphatic-aromatic polyesters of the diacid-diol type of which at least one with a high content of long chain aliphatic diacids of renewable origin showing excellent mechanical properties, sufficiently high melting temperatures, adequate crystallization rates, improved biodegradability properties as well as stability of physical properties over time.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions having flame retardant properties and improved impact resistance are disclosed, together with methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: A process of purifying 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) from a fermentation broth including separating solid materials, salts and water, and subjecting the resulting material to a two, three or four column distillation system, that can include a wiped film evaporator to produce a purified 1,4-butanediol.