A method includes applying a composition for forming a resist underlayer film to a substrate having a recess in a surface, and baking the composition for forming a resist underlayer film to form a resist underlayer film for filling at least the recess. The composition for forming a resist underlayer film has a copolymer having a structural unit of following formula (1), a cross-linkable compound, a cross-linking catalyst, and a solvent: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group or a single bond, Z is an —O— group, a —S— group, or a —S—S— group, and Ar is an arylene group.

A method includes applying a composition for forming a resist underlayer film to a substrate having a recess in a surface, and baking the composition for forming a resist underlayer film to form a resist underlayer film for filling at least the recess. The composition for forming a resist underlayer film has a copolymer having a structural unit of following formula (1), a cross-linkable compound, a cross-linking catalyst, and a solvent: ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently a C.sub.1-3 alkylene group or a single bond, Z is an —O— group, a —S— group, or a —S—S— group, and Ar is an arylene group.

An amorphous polyester or copolyester composition comprises the reaction product of a crystalline or semicrystalline polyester or copolyester, optionally derived from a recycled waste stream, at least one diol or aromatic diacid or an ester of a diacid or a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a lactone or a dianhydride, and a catalyst, wherein the amorphous composition has a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mol (polystyrene equivalent molecular weight) as measured by gel permeation chromatography.

An amorphous polyester or copolyester composition comprises the reaction product of a crystalline or semicrystalline polyester or copolyester, optionally derived from a recycled waste stream, at least one diol or aromatic diacid or an ester of a diacid or a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a lactone or a dianhydride, and a catalyst, wherein the amorphous composition has a weight average molecular weight of at least 10,000 g/mol (polystyrene equivalent molecular weight) as measured by gel permeation chromatography.

A polyester is disclosed which is made up of: (1) from about 15 to about 40 weight percent monomer repeat units of isosorbide; (2) from about 25 to about 60 weight percent monomer repeat units of a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride such as succinic acid or anhydride; and (3) from about 10 to about 20 weight percent monomer repeat units of a polyhydric alcohol such as 1,3-propanediol. In some instances, the polymer may also include monomer repeat units of methyl nadic anhydride or nadic anhydride. A polymer composition is also disclosed, which includes the polyester as well as a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(hydroxyalkanoates), and mixtures thereof.

A polyester is disclosed which is made up of: (1) from about 15 to about 40 weight percent monomer repeat units of isosorbide; (2) from about 25 to about 60 weight percent monomer repeat units of a dicarboxylic acid or anhydride such as succinic acid or anhydride; and (3) from about 10 to about 20 weight percent monomer repeat units of a polyhydric alcohol such as 1,3-propanediol. In some instances, the polymer may also include monomer repeat units of methyl nadic anhydride or nadic anhydride. A polymer composition is also disclosed, which includes the polyester as well as a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid), poly(hydroxyalkanoates), and mixtures thereof.

A polyester resin that is a condensation polymer of a polyol mixture including an epoxidized vegetable oil and a rosin additive, a polycarboxylic acid and a vegetable-derived polyol; has a mass ratio (rosin/epoxidized vegetable oil) between the rosin and the epoxidized vegetable oil of 2-10; and has a biomass content of at least 80%. The polyester resin has a high proportion of biomass-derived components and can be used to obtain an offset printing ink composition that has excellent scratch resistance and excellent abrasion resistance.

An illustrative embodiment of a manufactured surface component may be comprised of a textile material on a first face and an elastomer material on a second face, wherein said elastomer material is bonded to said textile material, wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially planarly configured, wherein an area of said first face and said second face is from about 0.04 square inches to about 4.0 square inches, wherein a thickness of said manufactured surface component is from about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, and wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially free of any petrochemical-derived plastics, petrochemicals, and toxins.

An illustrative embodiment of a manufactured surface component may be comprised of a textile material on a first face and an elastomer material on a second face, wherein said elastomer material is bonded to said textile material, wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially planarly configured, wherein an area of said first face and said second face is from about 0.04 square inches to about 4.0 square inches, wherein a thickness of said manufactured surface component is from about 0.3 mm to about 2.5 mm, and wherein said manufactured surface component is substantially free of any petrochemical-derived plastics, petrochemicals, and toxins.

A method for synthesizing an aliphatic polyester block copolymer regulated by carbon monoxide. The method uses an organic cobalt metal complex as a convertible catalyst and includes: first regulating an anionic ring-opening copolymerization reaction between an aliphatic acid anhydride and an epoxy compound; then using carbon monoxide as a conversion agent for conversion to obtain a catalyst having a new catalytic active site; and regulating a vinyl monomer to perform active free radical polymerization to obtain an aliphatic polyester block copolymer having a controllable structure. The described synthesis method uses a convertible catalyst and a conversion agent, combines two controllable polymerization reactions which have different but compatible mechanisms, and obtains a block copolymer by means of a “one-pot” reaction.