Blog

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble high polymer produced by the polymerization and hydrolysis of vinyl acetate (VAC). It exhibits excellent chemical stability and possesses properties such as good insulation, film-forming ability, gas barrier performance, water solubility, adhesion, interfacial chemistry, solvent resistance, and thermal stability.   ElephChem PVA products can be classified based on different degrees of polymerization: low degree of polymerization (DP < 1000), medium degree of polymerization (1000 < DP < 2000), and high degree of polymerization (DP > 2000).   ElephChem PVA products can also be categorized according to different degrees of hydrolysis: low hydrolysis (< 80) ,for example PVA 2088, partial hydrolysis (79-89),such as PVA 2488, PVA 0588, medium hydrolysis (91-98), and complete hydrolysis (98-99).

ElephChem Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is generally considered a type of synthetic polymer rather than a plastic. While it shares some properties with plastics, such as being flexible and water-resistant, PVA is classified as a polymer due to its unique chemical structure and behavior.   ElephChem PVA is derived from the polymerization of vinyl acetate, which is then hydrolyzed to remove the acetate groups and produce polyvinyl alcohol. The hydrolysis process converts some of the acetate groups (CH3COO-) into hydroxyl groups (OH-), resulting in a polymer chain with repeating vinyl alcohol units (CH2CHOH). The degree of hydrolysis determines the amount of hydroxyl groups present in the PVA molecule.   Modifications of ElephChem PVA can be done by chemically cross-linking the polymer chain to improve its mechanical and thermal properties. Cross-linking agents, such as borates or aldehydes, can be used to create covalent bonds between PVA chains, leading to a three-dimensional network structure. This cross-linked PVA, known as PVA hydrogel, exhibits enhanced strength, elasticity, and stability compared to non-cross-linked PVA. Such as PVOH 725, PVOH 735, etc.   Other modifications can involve blending PVA with other polymers or adding functional groups to the PVA backbone to impart specific properties or improve its compatibility with different materials or applications. These modifications allow PVA to be used in a wide range of industries, including adhesives, films, coatings, textiles, and packaging.

China is a major global producer of PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol). Since 1965, when Beijing Oriental Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (formerly Beijing Organic Chemical Factory) introduced technology from Japan and established the first set of calcium carbide acetylene method in China (changed to petroleum ethylene method in 1995), the production of PVA in China has steadily developed. According to statistics, in 2015, China's Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) production was approximately 700,000 tons, increasing to 802,000 tons in 2022, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.96% during this period. In terms of demand, the apparent consumption of PVA( PVA 098-03 & PVA 0399) in China in 2022 was 639,600 tons, representing a year-on-year growth of 2.16%.