Patent ID: 6891048

Claim:
A process for producing glycolide by depolymerization by heating of a glycolic acid oligomer in the presence or absence of a solvent, wherein: a depolymerization reaction is carried out while: (1) the content of alkali metal ions in a glycolic acid oligomer-containing depolymerization reaction system is controlled to 0.001% by mass or lower, (2) a sulfate or an organic acid salt, each in the form of divalent or other polyvalent cations, or a mixture thereof is allowed to be present as a stabilizer in the depolymerization reaction system, or (3) the content of alkali metal ions in the depolymerization reaction system is controlled to 0.001% by mass or lower, and a sulfate or an organic acid salt, each in the form of divalent or other polyvalent cations, or a mixture thereof is allowed to be present as a stabilizer in the depolymerization reaction system.