Esterases and uses thereof

An esterase variant which (i) has at least 85% identity to the full length amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:

• 1, (ii) has at least one amino acid substitution selected from S13L, R12A/I/M, A14C/Y, L15Q/G/I/D, A17F/V/Q/D, D18E, R30Y/L/Q/M/N/S/E, G37E/C, Y60H/C/G, T61Y/H/Q/E, S66E/W/D, L67I/E, W69I, R72I/T/L/V, R89E/G/V, F90D/T/H/E/G/P/S/Q/N, Y92E, P93A, R138L/K/D/E, A127T, W155M/H/E, D158E/I/C, T160C, L202I, N204A, A205M/Q, S206V/I/N, F208V/K, A209S/D/E, N211F/W, S212T/A/Q, N213L, N214T, A215S/Y, I217L/C/V, Y220W/C/T, Q237C/I, F238I/D, L239C, V242I, L247M4 and L247M, H156D, E141C/K/R, G171C and V180C 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 polyester degrading activity as compared to the esterase of SEQ ID NO:
• 1 at a pH between 3 and 6.