Development of an industrial production technology for high-molecular-weight polyglycolic acid

Abstract

Polyglycolic acid (PGA), a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, has only been produced in small quantities as an extremely expensive, high value-added product because no technology has existed to permit inexpensive mass production. PGA is a novel biodegradable resin that offers high mechanical strength and high gas-barrier performance. To mass-produce high-molecularweight PGA on an industrial scale, Kureha Corporation has developed a process to obtain large yields of the intermediate glycolide (GL) with high levels of purity. Using the obtained GL, we developed a method to polymerize high-molecular-weight PGA continuously. A commercial production plant is now in operation. Because high-molecular-weight PGA can be produced at a lower cost than previously possible, we have also developed various applications that utilize its characteristics. The use of PGA in shale gas and oil exploration is of interest because PGA can supply ultra-strong and biodegradable materials.

PLGA Barrier Materials from CO2. The influence of Lactide Co-monomer on Glycolic Acid Polyesters

“…For PLA and PGA these properties have been studied. 31 , 37 Although these barrier properties are important performance characteristics of PLGA copolymers, no reports on this topic were found so far.…”

Catalytic Gas‐Phase Cyclization of Glycolate Esters: A Novel Route Toward Glycolide‐Based Bioplastics

“…Polyglycolic acid (PGA) is a crystalline biodegradable polyester built from glycolic acid (GA). PGA has applications in medicine – related to its biocompatibility (tissue engineering, sutures, release of bioactive agents);, in certain packaging applications – related to its gas‐barrier properties (e. g. as intermediate layer in PET bottles or films); as well as in tools for oil production . GA is the smallest α‐hydroxy‐acid and its linear polymer is the simplest structural example of an aliphatic polyester (Scheme ).…”

“…PGA has applications in medicinerelated to its biocompatibility (tissue engineering, sutures, release of bioactive agents); [1,2] in certain packaging applications -related to its gas-barrier properties (e. g. as intermediate layer in PET bottles or films); as well as in tools for oil production. [3] GA is the smallest α-hydroxy-acid [4] and its linear polymer is the simplest structural example of an aliphatic polyester (Scheme 1). Aside from polyesters, GA can be used as such, e. g. in skincare and cleaning products or as an auxiliary in textile printing and leather treating.…”

Functionalization of Partially Bio-Based Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) by Blending with Fully Bio-Based Poly(Amide) 10,10 and a Glycidyl Methacrylate-Based Compatibilizer

“…For these reasons, the polymer industry is demanding continuously environmentally friendly polymers It is worthy to note the important role that some petroleum-based polymers have acquired in the last decade. In particular, aliphatic polyesters such as poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) [4] poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) [5], poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) [6], poly(butylene succinate -co- adipate) (PBSA) and their blends/composites with other polymers and lignocellulosic fillers have gained interest in several industrial sectors, despite being petroleum-based, as they can undergo degradation under controlled compost soil [7,8,9]. Another promising group of environmentally friendly polymers includes polysaccharides (and derivatives), protein-based polymers and bacterial polymers.…”