Modified biodegradable compositions and a reactive-extrusion process to make the same

The present invention relates to modified, hydrolytically biodegradable polymers and methods of making modified, hydrolytically biodegradable polymers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a biodegradable polymer selected from poly(hydroxy alkanoates), poly(alkylene succinates) or polycaprolactone modified with a polar monomer and a process of modifying those polymers. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method of grafting polar functional groups onto a biodegradable polymer selected from poly( -hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate), poly(butylene succinate) or polycaprolactone and grafted polymer compositions produced by the method. The present invention is a hydrolytically modified, biodegradable polymer and a method of making a hydrolytically modifiable a biodegradable polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a method of grafting polar groups onto biodegradable polymers and modified biodegradable polymer compositions produced by the method. The polymer compositions are useful as components in flushable and degradable articles. Water-sensitive polymer blends and method of making those polymer blends are also disclosed.