Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) price index

Further information on the Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) price chart

 

What is Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer that is used in a variety of applications. It is derived from the polymerization of vinyl acetate to form polyvinyl acetate, which is then partially or completely hydrolyzed to form PVA. The degree of hydrolysis determines the water solubility of the polymer.

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PVA is a white or yellowish powder that can be dissolved in water to form a clear, colorless solution. It has excellent film-forming properties, making it useful for applications such as coatings, adhesives, and films. It also has good tensile strength, elasticity, and barrier properties.

PVA is used in a wide range of industries, including textiles, paper, packaging, construction, and pharmaceuticals.

Overall, PVA is a versatile polymer with a wide range of applications due to its excellent film-forming and adhesive properties, as well as its water solubility and biodegradability.

 

What is PVA used for

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is widely utilized across various industries thanks to its remarkable film-forming and adhesive attributes, together with its water solubility and biodegradability. Here are some common applications:

Textiles

In the textile sector, PVA serves as a sizing agent to enhance fiber strength and rigidity. Additionally, it is employed as a binder in non-woven textiles.

Paper

PVA acts as a coating and adhesive in the paper industry, improving paper surface properties and enhancing strength and durability.

Packaging

For the packaging industry, PVA provides a barrier coating in food packaging to prevent moisture and oxygen infiltration, thereby preserving the contents. It's also used as a binder in packaging materials like corrugated cardboard.

Construction

In construction, PVA is utilized as a binder in cement and concrete to boost their strength and durability. It also functions as an additive in mortar and grout to improve workability and adhesion.

Pharmaceuticals

PVA coatings on tablets and capsules enhance stability and dissolution rates. It's also used as a suspending agent in liquid medications.

Adhesives

PVA serves as a versatile adhesive for various applications, including woodworking, bookbinding, and paper crafts.

Cosmetics

In the cosmetic industry, PVA functions as a thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer.

PVA's unique properties make it an incredibly versatile polymer, suitable for diverse applications across numerous industries.

 

How is PVA produced?

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is manufactured through the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), derived from the monomer vinyl acetate. This hydrolysis process utilizes an alkaline catalyst, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), to break the ester bonds in PVAc and replace the acetate groups with hydroxyl groups, resulting in PVA.

The degree of hydrolysis, indicating the number of hydroxyl groups per PVAc unit, varies based on the desired properties of the final PVA product. Partially hydrolyzed PVA generally has a degree of hydrolysis between 80% and 98%, while fully hydrolyzed PVA exceeds 99%.

The PVA production process typically involves several steps:

Polymerization

Initiate the process by polymerizing vinyl acetate monomer to form PVAc through free-radical polymerization.

Hydrolysis

Dissolve PVAc in water and mix with an alkaline catalyst like NaOH. Heat the mixture to a specific temperature to facilitate the hydrolysis reaction.

Filtration and Washing

Filter the resulting PVA to remove impurities, followed by washing with water to eliminate any remaining catalyst or by-products.

Drying

Dry the PVA to remove residual moisture, then grind it into powder or pellets suitable for various applications.

The production of PVA involves multiple chemical reactions and processing steps to convert PVAc into a water-soluble polymer that can be utilized in a wide array of applications.

 

What types of PVA are there

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a versatile polymer available in various grades with differing molecular weights, degrees of hydrolysis, and other properties. Common types of PVA include:

Fully hydrolyzed PVA

With a degree of hydrolysis around 99%, it is water-soluble, exhibiting excellent film-forming properties suitable for numerous applications.

Partially hydrolyzed PVA

This type has a lower degree of hydrolysis (around 85-98%) and reduced water solubility, making it ideal for specific applications requiring lower solubility.

Low molecular weight PVA

Featuring a lower molecular weight, this type is more water-soluble and dispersible, often used in adhesives and coatings.

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High molecular weight PVA

This type has a higher molecular weight, making it more viscous and less water-soluble, commonly used in paper coatings and textiles.

Crosslinked PVA

Chemically crosslinked to enhance strength and durability, this type is ideal for applications requiring high strength and resilience, such as adhesives and coatings.

The choice of PVA type depends on the application and desired end-product properties, with different grades tailored to meet specific requirements for water solubility, film-forming properties, and more.

 

What drives the cost of PVA

Several factors influence the cost of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), including raw material prices, production process efficiency, and market demand:

Cost of raw materials

Vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) is a primary raw material for PVA production, significantly impacting overall costs. VAM prices fluctuate based on global supply and demand, raw material costs, and energy prices.

Production process efficiency

Increasing efficiency in the production process can help lower the final product's cost. Innovations in technology and process optimization reduce costs by enhancing production efficiency and minimizing waste.

Market demand

Fluctuations in demand for PVA also affect its cost. High demand can drive up prices as suppliers aim to maximize profits, while low demand may lead to price reductions as suppliers strive to maintain market share.

Competition

The competitive landscape in the PVA market influences pricing. Greater competition typically results in lower prices as suppliers vie for market share. Conversely, limited competition may allow dominant players to maintain higher prices.

Ultimately, PVA costs are influenced by various factors, including raw material expenses, production efficiency, market demand, and competition, all contributing to price variability under different market and economic conditions.

 

What are the underlying commodities that PVA is made from

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is synthesized through the polymerization of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM). VAM is a colorless, flammable liquid utilized in producing various polymers and resins, including PVA, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

The production of VAM involves reacting ethylene, acetic acid, and oxygen to form acetaldehyde and VAM. Acetaldehyde is subsequently reacted to produce additional VAM. This process requires feedstocks like ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen, catalysts, and other additives.

Ultimately, the manufacture of PVA and other vinyl-based polymers is intricately linked to VAM and other essential feedstocks. The prices of these feedstocks significantly impact the cost of PVA and related polymers.

 

How big is the PVA market

The global polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) market was valued at approximately USD 1.2 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4% from 2021 to 2028. This growth is fueled by increasing demand for PVA across various end-use industries, including paper, textiles, construction, and packaging.

The paper industry is the largest consumer of PVA, accounting for over 30% of global demand. PVA is used as a coating and sizing agent, enhancing paper strength and durability. The construction industry also consumes significant quantities of PVA as a binder in cement and concrete, increasing their strength and durability.

Other industries contributing to the global PVA market's growth include textiles, where PVA is used as a sizing agent and binder in non-woven textiles, and packaging, where it serves as a barrier coating to prevent moisture and oxygen infiltration.

The global PVA market is expected to grow steadily, driven by rising demand in various end-use industries and growing recognition of PVA's biodegradability and environmental benefits.

According to https://oec.world/ :Polyvinyl alcohols are the world's 1792nd most traded product.

In 2020, the top exporters of Polyvinyl alcohols were China ($247M), Japan ($202M), United States ($157M), Chinese Taipei ($136M), and Germany ($126M).

In 2020, the top importers of Polyvinyl alcohols were United States ($103M), China ($96.8M), Belgium ($92.9M), Germany ($88.8M), and Netherlands ($80.4M).

 

Which countries produce the most PVA

Determining the exact production of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by country is challenging due to limited specific data. However, the leading PVA producers are generally nations with significant chemical industries, such as China, Japan, the United States, and Germany.

China currently stands as the largest PVA producer globally, with numerous chemical manufacturers supplying both domestic and international markets. Japan and the United States also play major roles, focusing on high-quality and specialized PVA grades for particular applications.

Other significant PVA producers include South Korea, Taiwan, and India. However, the global PVA market remains highly competitive, with numerous chemical manufacturers producing PVA and related polymers.

 

Further information

 

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