PVA, also known as polyvinyl alcohol, is a synthetic plastic that is colorless and odorless. It is water-soluble and often sold as granules or pellets.
It is used to make paper and for packaging products. It improves the absorption of water-based inks on paper and helps to hold colored dyes better. It is also a reliable alternative to starch for bonding multi-ply paper boards.
PVA manufacturers produce the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) used in various industries, including packaging. They offer a wide range of grades, which allows customers to choose the most appropriate product for the specific application.
Aside from its uses in the food and beverage industry, PVA has important pharmacological properties that make it an excellent choice for use in ophthalmic formulations. It is a synthetic, biocompatible, and toxicologically well-characterized polymer that can be easily tailored to meet individual requirements in formulation development.
One of the most important things to consider when selecting a PVA is its compatibility with the API and other excipients used in ophthalmic formulations.
A PVA’s hydrolysis grade, which refers to the amount of residual, unhydrolyzed acetate groups within the polymer chain, is also essential for drug delivery. Higher hydrolysis grades enhance API solubility and can improve gel-forming capabilities, while lower hydrolysis grades may be better suited for poorly water-soluble APIs.
used with permission from AKG Design Studio. photos by @RyanGarvin
Packaging
Packaging is a broad term used to describe the layers that hold or protect a product. It can include paper, plastic, or other materials that make it easier to handle and transport.
PVA is often used for primary packaging, as a sachet or pouch that holds a liquid, especially one that dissolves in water. However, it also can be used in tablet capsules for medicine.
The critical property of PVA bags is that they can dissolve in water in minutes. It is due to a particular property known as the ‘degree of hydrolysis,’ which determines how water-soluble the polymer is at different temperatures.
In addition, PVA is also a great alternative to LDPE plastic bags for groceries and other items that don’t need to be rinsed. As a result, it can help reduce the amount of plastic in landfills.
used with permission from AKG Design Studio. photos by @RyanGarvin
Cosmetics
Cosmetics are a wide range of products that alter and improve the appearance of the skin, lips, eyebrows, and eyes. They include skin care products, hair care products, makeup, and perfumes.
Many people use cosmetics every day. Therefore, it is essential to understand how cosmetics are made and what ingredients go into them.
PVA is an adhesive, emulsifying, and film-forming agent commonly used in shampoos, cosmetics, facial masks, sunscreens, and mascara. It also has high tensile strength and is resistant to grease, oil, and solvent.
Although PVA is a common ingredient in many beauty products, it can be unclear how it’s manufactured. Hydrolysis usually makes it, where polyvinyl acetate is dissolved and replaced with water.
Household Cleaning
Regarding household cleaning, PVA is a critical ingredient that helps create safe products for people and the environment. That’s because it’s water-soluble and designed to biodegrade.
To make PVA, laboratory and industrial chemists produce nature-identical ethylene, which is then turned into vinyl acetate through a chemical reaction with oxygen and acetic acid (in a diluted form known as vinegar). After the polymerization process, it’s dissolved in alcohol to become a water-soluble polymer or polyvinyl alcohol.
PVA is used in various products, including laundry pods and dishwasher detergent tablets. It’s also popular in baby wipes, diapers, and contact lens solutions. It can also help strengthen textile yarns, improve color cohesion, and make the paper more grease and oil resistant.
