Various embodiments relate to biorenewable and water-degradable co-polymers and methods of producing co-polymers that include a plurality of first monomeric units and a plurality of second monomeric units joined by a plurality of hydrolytically-sensitive ester linkages. Each of the plurality of first monomeric units may be derived from a first monomer. The first monomer may be the product of a reaction between itaconic acid and a first amino acid. Each of the plurality of second monomeric units may be derived from a second monomer. The second monomer may be the product of a reaction between itaconic acid and a second amino acid. The co-polymers may be a product of the reaction of the first monomer and the second monomer in the presence of a diol. The co-polymers may have a glass transition temperature of about 50° C. or greater.