Known for their excellent film formation, emulsifying power, and adhesion to substrates, Kuraray PVOH resins can be used throughout a variety of industries. KURARAY POVAL™ and Elvanol™ resins are produced by converting polyvinyl acetate into polyvinyl alcohol through the saponification process. The percentage of acetate groups determine the hydrolosis levels which is how we determine our grade characteristics. With a wide range of hydrolysis levels, stable quality, low ash and VOC content, Kuraray PVOH resins set a high standard in today’s market.
About KURARAY POVAL™
Kuraray was the first to commercially produce polyvinyl alcohol in the early 1950s at a small plant in Japan, originally in the form of the raw material Vinylon. Kuraray started to sell Vinylon to the fibers market as applications for textile were developed. Kuraray’s poval resin was developed later, as Kuraray transformed into a modern chemicals and polymer company. Today, Kuraray has 6 plants around the world manufacturing polyvinyl alcohol: Germany, Singapore, and two in Japan and United States.
About Elvanol™
Kuraray manufactures several types of Elvanol™ products which are available as fully hydrolyzed or as a copolymer. The fully hydrolyzed grades contain few, if any, residual acetate groups; while partially hydrolyzed grades retain some of the residual acetate groups. The partially hydrolyzed grades dissolve in water at room temperature; fully hydrolyzed grades dissolve in hot (200 degree F) water, and remain in solution when cooled to room temperature.
The copolymer grades, developed specifically for warp sizing in the textile and paper industry, offer a unique balance of properties to Kuraray’s Elvanol™ customers.
Specifications
- Good water resistance for fully hydrolized PVOH
- Good stability of the water solution for partially hydrolized PVOH (melting point is not usually an issue)
- Excellent water resistance as well as good solution stability (EXCEVAL)
- Can be cross-linked to a variety of resins
- Extrudable to blown or flat film with specialty pelletized PVOH (Mowiflex)
- Easily soluble, fine powder grade PVOH
- Excellent solubility in water
- Strong film-forming properties
- Oil and grease resistance
- Wetting properties on polar substances
- Good pigmentablity
- Biodegradable
Kuraray PVOH is flexible and diverse in how it can be used. Each grade provides unique characteristics to its application.
- Adhesives
- Specialty papers
- Building materials (additive for mortar, cement, etc.)
- Polymerization (emulsion/suspension)
- Temporary binders for ceramics
- Gas barrier coating
- Blown or flat films or foils
- Textiles sizing
- Prevention of residual sodium and redox during sintering process
- Fluid loss control in oil well cementing
- Injection molding
- Raw material in products (PVB and TROSIFOL)
