The present invention provides certain aromatic copolyetheresters that include hydroxyalkanoic acid residues, and processes for making the copolyetheresters, and articles containing the copolyetheresters. The copolyetheresters have desirable thermal properties, and can be used in forming shaped articles, such as films, coatings and laminates. The copolyetheresters are produced from a mixture of aromatic dicarboxylic acids, hydroxyalkanoic acids, a poly(alkylene ether) glycol, a glycol component, optional other glycol, optional branching agents, and optional color reducing agent components. Some of the copolyetheresters are biocompostable.