Caprolactone is a colorless, oily liquid that is primarily used in the production of polymers and plastics. It is a cyclic ester, which means it can undergo a process called polymerization to form long chains of molecules. This property makes it valuable in creating materials with specific characteristics, such as flexibility and durability. One of the most common applications of caprolactone is in the manufacture of polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer. PCL is used in various industries, including medical devices, packaging, and 3D printing, due to its biocompatibility and ease of processing.