Seed Coatingwith PVOH
for Sustainable
Agriculture

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Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

Unveiling KURARAY POVAL™
(PVOH) for Sustainable
Agriculture

W W W . K U R A R AY - P O V A L . C O M

Enhancing Seed Performancewith PVOH Coatings

Improved Germination andPerformance

Seeds are the foundation of agriculture, and maximizing their potential is key to achieving optimal
yields. One innovative method for enhancing seed
performance is through the use of polyvinyl alcohol(PVOH) coatings.

One of the most significant benefits of KURARAYPOVAL™ coatings is their ability to improve germination rates. By creating an optimal microenvironment around the seed, PVOH coatings promote
faster and more uniform germination. Additionally,
the enhanced protection provided by the PVOH film
can lead to improved seedling vigor and overall crop
performance.

Protective Film for Enhanced
Performance

Versatile Application Methods

When seeds are coated with KURARAY POVAL™,
they are enveloped in a protective film. This film
serves multiple purposes, including dust reduction
and protection against environmental stressors.
The water solubility and mechanical strength of thePVOH film can be precisely controlled, ensuring tailored protection for each seed.

KURARAY POVAL™ coatings offer versatility in application methods, allowing for seamless integration
into existing seed treatment processes. Whether
through seed coating equipment or specialized
application techniques, PVOH coatings can be efficiently applied to a wide range of seed varieties.

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Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

Aiding Delivery of Active
Ingredients03

For various applications, the following grades ofKURARAY POVAL™ are specified:Beyond their protective properties, KURARAY POVAL™
coatings serve as an effective binder for incorporating active ingredients into seed treatments. Thistechnology facilitates the precise delivery of agrochemicals, fertilizers, and other additives directly tothe seed surface. By enhancing the efficiency of nutrient uptake and pest control, PVOH coatings contribute to improved crop health and yield potential.

ENCRUSTING:
KURARAY POVAL™ 8-88 and KURARAY POVAL™ 22-88.

PVOH becomes a microplastic?

These grades are recommended for their specificproperties suited to each application. However, recommendations may vary depending on the customer's specific needs and requirements.

FILM COATING:
KURARAY POVAL™ L-508W and EXCEVAL™ RS-1717.
PELLETING:
KURARAY POVAL™ 6-88 and KURARAY POVAL™ 13-88.

Recent regulations by the European Union Commission have brought attention to the issue of synthetic
polymer microparticles, commonly known as microplastics. Regulation (EU) No. 2023/2055 aims torestrict the use of microplastics in various products
and applications.

As we navigate the challenges of environmental sustainability, it's crucial for industries to prioritize theuse of materials that meet regulatory standards andcontribute to a cleaner, greener future.

According to the regulation, polymers with a solubility of more than 2 g/L are not designated as
microplastics. Additionally, degradable polymers
meeting specific criteria outlined in the regulation
are also exempt.
We can state that partially saponified grades ofKURARAY POVAL™ (with a degree of hydrolysis lessthan 92%), have passed the solubility test (>2 g/L) in
accordance with the Regulation (EU) No. 2023/2055
Appendix 16`Rules on proving solubility.
In other words, these grades are microplastic-free.

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Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

Key Benefits
in Seed Coatings

The utilization of KURARAY POVAL™ in seed coatings
offers a multitude of benefits, including:

1LOW DUST-OFF PROPERTIES:Dust generation of soya bean is significantly reduced by coating seeds with
PVOH, leading to improved handling efficiency and reduced environmental
impactFigure 1. Dust generation of soybean seed
No PVOH
KURARAY POVAL™ 5-88
KURARAY POVAL™ 22-88
00.005

0.01

0.015

Grams of Dust / 100,000 Seeds

040.02Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

2IMPROVED GERMINATION:
In contrary to concerns about coating materials negatively impacting
germination rates, soya bean seeds coated with KURARAY POVAL™
demonstrated no negative or even enhanced germination performance.
Cold germination rates, in particular, have shown improvement withKURARAY POVAL™ coatings, potentially due to the controlled moisture
content provided by the coating.
Figure 2. Warm germination of soybean seedNo PVOHKURARAY POVAL™ 5-88
KURARAY POVAL™ 22-88
8085909510095100% Germination

Figure 3. Cold germination of soybean seed

No PVOH
KURARAY POVAL™ 5-88
KURARAY POVAL™ 22-88
808590% Germination

3HIGH BONDING POWER:KURARAY POVAL™ coatings exhibit exceptional bonding power, ensuringthat the coating layer adheres well to the seed surface, providing durable
protection throughout the germination and early growth stages.

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Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

INHERENT BIODEGRADABILITY:

4KURARAY POVAL™ is recognized as one of the few vinyl polymers
that are water-soluble and inherently biodegradable in the presence ofmicroorganisms.

Figure 4. Biodegradability in water
Cellulose

Figure 5. Biodegradability in soil
Cellulose

KURARAY POVAL™ 22-88

KURARAY POVAL™ 3-85 (in aqueous solution)

KURARAY POVAL™ 49-88
10010090908080
Bio-degradation (%)

Bio-degradation (%)

06

7060
5040307060
50403020201010000714212835

420102030

40

5060

70

80

90

100

110120

Days

Days

Biodegradation test results of KURARAY POVAL™ with different
degree of polymerization.

Kuraray’s external biodegradation in soil test result followingISO 17556 is shown.

Test guideline: ISO 14851
Test organization: OWS nv (Normec OWS)
Sludge concentration: 100 mg / L
Sample concentration: 100 mg / L
Biodegradability (%) was calculated from oxygen consumption bymicro-organisms.

After 122 days, biodegradation of KURARAY POVALl™ 3-85 hasproceeded further and an absolute biodegradation of 39.2% wasmeasured.
KURARAY POVAL™ needs to be dissolved in water for an efficientbiodegradation process.

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Seed Coating with PVOH for Sustainable Agriculture

Conclusion
In summary, KURARAY POVAL™ (Partially SaponifiedPVOH) coatings represent a cutting-edge, microplasticfree solution for enhancing seed performance andcrop productivity. By providing tailored protection,
improving germination rates, and aiding in the delivery ofactive ingredients, KURARAY POVAL™ coatings offer amultifaceted approach to seed treatment. As agriculture
continues to evolve, innovations like KURARAY POVAL™
coatings play a crucial role in meeting the challenges ofmodern and sustainable farming.

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Adding value toyour products – worldwide
KURARAY POVAL™, EXCEVAL™, ELVANOL™, and MOWIFLEX™ are the trademarks for polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH) madeby Kuraray. Their key characteristics — outstanding film-forming properties and high binding strength — add real value
to your products. Our polymers are water-soluble, highly reactive, crosslinkable and foamable. They have high pigment
binding capacity, protective colloid characteristics and thickening effects. The physical and chemical properties ofKURARAY POVAL™ make it ideal for a wide variety of applications, ranging from adhesives through paper and ceramics topackaging films. Many of our polymers are food contact-approved and thus suitable for food applications.
Kuraray produces its wide range of KURARAY POVAL™ grades in Japan, Singapore, Germany and the USA. Kuraray’s global
production and service network make us your partner of choice for innovative high-quality PVOH resins.

PLEASE CONTACT US

kuraray-poval.com

HEADQUARTERS
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Tokiwabashi Tower
2-6-4, Otemachi
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan 100-0004
Kuraray America, Inc.
3700 Bay Area Blvd.,
Suite 680 Houston, TX77058
United States of America

Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd.
250 North Bridge Road
#10-01/02 Raffles City Tower
Singapore 179101

Kuraray Europe GmbH
Philipp-Reis-Str. 465795 Hattersheim am Main,
Germany

Kuraray China Co., Ltd.
Unit 2207, 2 Grand Gateway
3 Hongqiao Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai
200030, China
07_2024