--- title: "Inside Materials – Aliphatic Polyesters" id: "9647" type: "post" slug: "inside-materials-aliphatic-polyesters" published_at: "2025-09-05T13:54:25+00:00" modified_at: "2025-09-05T14:08:49+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/09/inside-materials-aliphatic-polyesters-009647/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/09/inside-materials-aliphatic-polyesters-009647.md" excerpt: "Aliphatic polyesters are among the most used materials in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability." taxonomy_category: - "Editor's Choice Technical Paper" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Medical" - "Packaging" - "People" - "Resins" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "BASF" - "biomedical" - "Corbion" - "Ecovio®" - "Evonik" - "Medical Device Regulation" - "PCL" - "PGA" - "pharmaceutical applications" - "PLA" - "PLGA" - "PURASORB®" - "RESOMER®" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/) » [Medical](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/medical/) » Inside Materials – Aliphatic Polyesters # Inside Materials – Aliphatic Polyesters Aliphatic polyesters are essential for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.### **Aliphatic polyesters are among the most used materials in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.** These polymers are characterized by a linear chain of carbon atoms (aliphatic) and repeating ester groups in their molecular structure. They are commonly synthesized either by polycondensation of glycols and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of lactones and cyclic diesters. This unique and versatile molecular structure has played a pivotal role in advancing biomedical technologies. In particular, their tunable mechanical and degradation properties make them highly valuable in designing medical devices and drug delivery systems. **You can also read:**[Enzymatic Polymer Degradation: How Does It Work?](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/05/enzymatic-polymer-degradation-how-does-it-work-008609/) ## **Types and Key Properties** Currently, there are multiple types of aliphatic polyesters. For instance, these are the most common: - Polyglycolide (PGA): This is the simplest and first aliphatic polyester ever used. Experts recognize it for its high strength and rapid degradation. - Polylactide (PLA): It is derived from lactic acid and possesses properties similar to PET’s. - Polycaprolactone (PCL): This semicrystalline polyester has enhanced biocompatibility and a relatively slow degradation rate. - Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA): It is a copolymer of PLA and PGA that provides a tunable degradation rate. ## **Biomedical Applications** This range of polymers provides properties that make them suitable for multiple biomedical applications. The table below provides some examples: **Material****Feature/Function****Application**PGA, PLAThe body breaks them down into non-toxic molecules.Surgical suturesPLA, PLGA, PCLThey encapsulate and release drugs in a controlled manner.Drug delivery systemsPLA, PLGAThey provide structural support as scaffolds.Tissue engineeringPGA, PCLEngineers tailor their strength and degradation rate for bone healing.Bone fixation devices## **Real-World Products** Nowadays, these materials translate into cutting-edge commercial solutions such as Corbion’s PURASORB® PL38 PLA, Evonik’s RESOMER®, and BASF’s Ecovio® MD. PURASORB® PL38 is used in orthopedic devices like bone screws. RESOMER® enables targeted drug delivery in drug-eluting stents and implant coatings. Ecovio® MD offers high mechanical strength and biocompatibility that makes it suitable for surgical tools. ## **The Path Forward and Regulatory Trends** Despite a wide range of available products, researchers continue to enhance aliphatic polyesters, focusing on improved degradation control and functionality. In parallel, regulatory shifts are driving growth. The [U.S. FDA](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices) is expediting approval pathways for biodegradable implants in orthopedic, dental, and cardiovascular fields. Meanwhile, [Europe’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR)](https://health.ec.europa.eu) , set to take full effect in 2027, mandates sustainable and recyclable device components. By **[Laura Gonzalez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/lauragonz/)** | September 5, 2025 ##### [Laura Gonzalez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/lauragonz/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) ### Other posts you could read [April 15, 2026ANTEC 2026: Rheology Understanding Leads to Competitiveness](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/antec-2026-rheology-understanding-leads-to-competitiveness-010797/) [April 17, 2026Conveying PCR: Reducing Fines, Angel Hair, and Scrap](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/conveying-pcr-reducing-fines-angel-hair-and-scrap-011052/) [March 30, 2026Sorting Construction Waste in Real Time](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/03/sorting-construction-waste-in-real-time-010921/) [March 24, 2026Next-Generation EV Battery Solution Wins SPE Award](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/03/next-generation-ev-battery-solution-wins-spe-award-010958/) [April 9, 2026FlexForum 2026 Brings Flexible Packaging Leaders to Fort Myers](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flexforum-2026-brings-flexible-packaging-leaders-to-fort-myers-011346/) [April 15, 2026Advancing Sustainable Printed Electronics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/advancing-sustainable-printed-electronics-011032/) [April 20, 2026Real-Time Melt Monitoring in Extrusion and Injection Molding](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/real-time-melt-monitoring-in-extrusion-and-injection-molding-011167/) [April 21, 2026Flame-Resistant Polymers for Space Safety and Aerospace Use](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flame-resistant-polymers-for-space-safety-and-aerospace-use-011162/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2025/09/inside-materials-aliphatic-polyesters-009647/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&text=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&text=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&t=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&t=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&title=Inside%20Materials%20%E2%80%93%20Aliphatic%20Polyesters&summary=Aliphatic+polyesters+are+among+the+most+used+materials+in+biomedical+and+pharmaceutical+applications+due+to+their+biocompatibility+and+biodegradability.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&title=Inside%20Materials%20%E2%80%93%20Aliphatic%20Polyesters&summary=Aliphatic+polyesters+are+among+the+most+used+materials+in+biomedical+and+pharmaceutical+applications+due+to+their+biocompatibility+and+biodegradability.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&title=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=9647&title=Inside+Materials+%E2%80%93+Aliphatic+Polyesters) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47783432252d2224337a172b2634332e2434670229202e292222352e2920676a670e29342e2322670a263322352e262b3467a5c7d467062b2e372f26332e246717282b3e223433223534612528233e7a2f333337347d686830303069372b2634332e24342229202e292222352e2920692835206878377a7e717370](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#47783432252d2224337a172b2634332e2434670229202e292222352e2920676a670e29342e2322670a263322352e262b3467a5c7d467062b2e372f26332e246717282b3e223433223534612528233e7a2f333337347d686830303069372b2634332e24342229202e292222352e2920692835206878377a7e717370) - [#comments](#comments)