Novel esterases and uses thereof

An esterase which (i) has at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identity to the full length amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

• 1, and (ii) has at least one amino acid substitution at a position selected from the group consisting of F211, E13, T48, T52, T63, W71, Y108, A127, M129, G137, P153, L154, T155, L159, D160, K161, T170, E204, A212, P213, N214, K222, L242, P244 and P259, and/or at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of T12N/D/E/I/M/Q, S24P, A55L, F62M, S65N/Q, S68H, L92W, Q94G/N/P/T/Y, R100S, P123R/W, S138T, T179H/N/Q/A/E, S182E/D, T185E/D, E192D, D206K, G207K, T209D/L, I215F, P216D, V224G, Q240D/T and N245Y/P wherein the positions are numbered by reference to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 1, (iii) has a polyester degrading activity and (iv) exhibits an increased thermostability and/or an increased degrading activity compared to the esterase of SEQ ID NO:
• 1.