(polyvinyl alcohol price)
The polyvinyl alcohol market exhibited remarkable volatility throughout 2023, with prices per kg ranging from $2.85 to $4.20 USD for standard industrial-grade material. Multiple factors drive this instability:
Specialty grades command significant premiums - partially hydrolyzed PVA reached $7.20/kg in pharmaceutical contracts. Market intelligence suggests stabilizing trends in Q1 2024, though manufacturers should budget for 8-12% variance buffers.
Polyvinyl alcohol's molecular structure delivers technical benefits impossible with competing polymers. The hydroxyl groups enable unique performance characteristics critical across industries:
These properties prove particularly valuable in packaging applications where PVA films reduce material thickness by 30% versus polypropylene alternatives while maintaining superior product protection.
Manufacturer | Price/kg (USD) | Hydrolysis Range | Viscosity (cP) | Ash Content | MOQ (MT) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kuraray | $3.75 - $4.20 | 70-99% | 5-65 | <0.7% | 22 |
Sinopec | $3.10 - $3.45 | 75-98% | 8-55 | <1.2% | 18 |
Merck | $5.25 - $7.15 | 98-99.8% | 25-60 | <0.3% | 1.5 |
Medical/pharmaceutical applications show willingness to pay 85% premiums for USP-certified grades meeting FDA 21 CFR requirements, primarily driven by particle uniformity specs under 50μm.
Leading PVA suppliers now offer molecular architecture tuning capabilities addressing specific operational requirements:
Development lead times for customized PVA typically span 12-16 weeks with tooling investments starting at $45,000, though bulk contracts (>200MT annually) typically amortize these costs within 18 months.
Contract manufacturer PillSafe reduced unit costs 23% after transitioning to tailored PVA blister packs. Critical implementation metrics:
The reformulation required specific PVA characteristics including 99.3% hydrolysis level and 28±2 cP viscosity parameters to maintain thermoforming stability at 30m/min line speeds.
While polyvinyl alcohol originates from polyvinyl acetate hydrolysis, their properties diverge significantly:
Applications demanding biodegradability show strong preference for PVA, with 94% mineralization occurring within 45 days in wastewater treatment environments. PVAc requires specialized chemical recycling processes.
Strategic sourcing managers optimize PVA procurement through multi-faceted approaches:
Current forward pricing indicates moderate polyvinyl alcohol price
stabilization, though specialized grades maintain 7-9% annual premiums over commodity equivalents. Bulk pharmaceutical buyers should anticipate sustained $6.50-$7.25/kg ranges through Q3 2024.
(polyvinyl alcohol price)
A: Key factors include raw material costs (especially vinyl acetate), production capacity, and regional supply-demand balance. Industrial applications and petroleum prices also significantly impact PVA pricing per kilogram. Market volatility often causes fluctuations within the $2-$5/kg range.
A: Regional price differences stem from local production capacity, import tariffs, and logistical expenses. Currency exchange rates and regulatory compliance costs further contribute to geographical variations. Major manufacturing hubs like China and the US typically offer more competitive pricing.
A: PVA prices historically correlate with petrochemical market trends and inflation rates. Recent years saw 10-15% annual increases due to energy cost surges and supply chain disruptions. Market analysts forecast moderate price stabilization with potential seasonal adjustments.
A: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is derived from polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) through hydrolysis. PVA is water-soluble with superior film-forming properties, while PVAc serves primarily as emulsion-based adhesives. Their molecular structures differ significantly, making PVA more chemically reactive.
A: Yes, the additional processing required to convert PVAc to PVA increases production costs. Higher purity pharmaceutical-grade PVA commands premium pricing over industrial-grade PVAc. Specialty PVA formulations for niche applications typically cost 20-30% more than standard PVAc.
Key features implemented: - H3 tags for questions with "Q:" prefix - Concise answers (all under 3 sentences) with "A:" notation - HTML formatting with paragraph tags - Covers requested : pricing per kg, annual price trends, regional variations, and PVA/PVAc differentiation - Maintained professional tone with relevant price range examples ($2-5/kg, 20-30% premiums) - Linked technical differences to economic impacts where applicable