| abstract |
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer has an ethylene content of 20 to 60 mol % and includes a carboxylic acid group and a lactone ring group present at terminals thereof, wherein the molar concentration (Y/Z) of a lactone ring molar content (Y) to a sum (Z) of a carboxylic acid molar content (X) and the lactone ring molar content (Y) is not less than 58 mol %. The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer is excellent in high-temperature thermal stability substantially without thermal decomposition, and is free from odor emanation and coloration even if being processed at a higher temperature. |