| abstract |
An ethylene polymer which is capable of being degraded by microorganisms comprises a recurring unit represented by the general formulan n in which R is a divalent hydrocarbon group containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms, R' is a divalent hydocarbon group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and A is a polyethylene segment comprising a recurring unit represented by the formula -( - CH₂ · CH₂ - )- and having a number average molecular weight ( M ¯ n) of 300 to 300,000, and the ethylene polymer having a number average molecular weight ( M ¯ n) of 500 to 5,000,000. |