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-molecular-weight 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.