A process to prepare poly(alkylene furandicarboxylate) polymer is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the process comprises a) contacting a mixture comprising furandicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester, a diol comprising ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, or mixtures thereof, and a metal catalyst at a temperature in the range of from about 140° C. to about 220° C. to form prepolymer,



wherein the mole ratio of the furandicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester to the diol is in the range of from 1:1.3 to 1:2.2;
b) performing polycondensation by heating the prepolymer under reduced pressure to a temperature in the range of from about 220° C. to about 260° C. to form poly(alkylene furandicarboxylate) polymer;
wherein the rate of polycondensation in step c) is faster with the anthraquinone compound present than without; and
c) adding at least one anthraquinone compound as disclosed herein; and