A macromolecule comprises a ring-opened polymerized product of β-lactone monomers of formula I:

##STR00001## and having a structure of formula IA:

##STR00002## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms. The macromolecule may be hydroxy-terminated, and may be copolymerized with other β-lactone monomers having different substituting groups and/or with higher lactone monomers. The macromolecule may be used as a reactant to form an alkoxysilane-terminated polymer, a polyurethane, or a (co)polyester, or may be used as an elastomeric midblock in a triblock copolymer having hard end blocks, such as polylactic acid. Such triblock systems demonstrate two discreet regions having properties similar to styrene block copolymers and are therefore suitable for use as hot melt or pressure-sensitive adhesives. In some embodiments, such triblock polymers may be entirely bio-sourced and compostable.

A macromolecule comprises a ring-opened polymerized product of β-lactone monomers of formula I:

##STR00001## and having a structure of formula IA:

##STR00002## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms. The macromolecule may be hydroxy-terminated, and may be copolymerized with other β-lactone monomers having different substituting groups and/or with higher lactone monomers. The macromolecule may be used as a reactant to form an alkoxysilane-terminated polymer, a polyurethane, or a (co)polyester, or may be used as an elastomeric midblock in a triblock copolymer having hard end blocks, such as polylactic acid. Such triblock systems demonstrate two discreet regions having properties similar to styrene block copolymers and are therefore suitable for use as hot melt or pressure-sensitive adhesives. In some embodiments, such triblock polymers may be entirely bio-sourced and compostable.

A resin useful for producing objects is provided, which resin contains a photoinitiator of low cytotoxicity. The resins may be suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques such as bottom-up and top-down stereolithography, produce objects that are bioresorbable and non-cytotoxic, and/or produce objects that are flexible or elastic. Methods of use of the resin and objects produced therefrom are also provided.

A resin useful for producing objects is provided, which resin contains a photoinitiator of low cytotoxicity. The resins may be suitable for use in additive manufacturing techniques such as bottom-up and top-down stereolithography, produce objects that are bioresorbable and non-cytotoxic, and/or produce objects that are flexible or elastic. Methods of use of the resin and objects produced therefrom are also provided.

Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (T.sub.cc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) and the melting point (T.sub.m) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.

The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing lactide comprising the steps of a) preparing a liquid catalyst formulation comprising a catalyst, an initiator and lactide, and b) contacting the liquid catalyst formulation prepared in step a) with lactide, and polymerizing said lactide in the presence of said liquid catalyst formulation to form polylactide. The invention further provides a liquid catalyst formulation and use thereof for polymerizing lactide.

The present invention relates to a process for polymerizing lactide comprising the steps of a) preparing a liquid catalyst formulation comprising a catalyst, an initiator and lactide, and b) contacting the liquid catalyst formulation prepared in step a) with lactide, and polymerizing said lactide in the presence of said liquid catalyst formulation to form polylactide. The invention further provides a liquid catalyst formulation and use thereof for polymerizing lactide.

The present invention refers to a method for producing polymeric compositions, preferably in the form of water-based (i.e. waterborne) compositions, more preferably dispersions (i.e. emulsions or latices), which are particularly useful as or in adhesives, especially pressure-sensitive adhesives, particularly pressure-sensitive adhesives degradable under basic conditions, as well as to the polymeric compositions thus produced and to their applications.

The present invention refers to a method for producing polymeric compositions, preferably in the form of water-based (i.e. waterborne) compositions, more preferably dispersions (i.e. emulsions or latices), which are particularly useful as or in adhesives, especially pressure-sensitive adhesives, particularly pressure-sensitive adhesives degradable under basic conditions, as well as to the polymeric compositions thus produced and to their applications.

A connective or supportive sheath comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of a hollow tube having a circumferential or perimeter wall, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the wall comprising interconnected, radially projecting, partitions, the partitions forming radially extending pores, the pores extending from said inner surface through said outer surface, and wherein the tube is comprised of, consists of, or consists essentially of a flexible or elastic polymer.