Eco-friendly andhigh-performancesolutions for
Agriculture
Applications

Kuraray Poval™

Eco-friendly andhigh-performancesolutions
Why polyvinyl
alcohol (PVOH) for
agriculture
applications?

Why Kuraray?

The physical and chemical properties arewhat make polyvinyl alcohol very versatileand ideal for use in agriculture. It featureswater-solubility, excellent film forming characteristics, high tensile strength and elasticity, as well as resistance against organic
solvents and dispersing power and is inherently biodegradable in water/soil in aqueous
solution form.

Kuraray is committed to product quality, innovation and the ability to provide global solutions toour customers. This means that we produce highquality, low VOC and low ash-content PVOH withthe most narrow and tight product specifications.
We create tailor-made, one-of-a-kind products
for our customers and are often sought out to be
partners in innovation. Globally, we are offeringbusiness continuity and security of supply as wellas leverage our local sales, logistics and R&D teams
in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Kuraray is committed to developing new fields of business using
our pioneering technologies for our PVOH gradesthat will improve the environment and enhance thequality of life for all.

2Application 1

Seed coating
When seeds are coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH),
they are protected by a PVOH film, where the watersolubility and mechanical strength of the film canbe controlled. Polyvinyl alcohol coatings decrease
dusting, improve germination and can be applied in avariety of ways.
PVOH is used as a binder for seed coating.
Seed coating is the process of applying materials like
agrochemical or fertilizer to the natural seed surface.
This technology is used for improving physical properties of the seed and the delivery of active ingredients.

Coated seeds

3

Application 2

Soil improver
Polyvinyl alcohol is used for improving soil structureand soil fertility. The polyvinyl alcohol can be either
be mixed into the soil or sprayed onto the soil asa solution.
The goal is to create a crumb structure to the soil,
like this the roots can penetrate the soil moreeasily. With a crumb structure some parameters
are improved, creating a good environment for soilorganisms. These include water retention, drainage
and good air permeability.

Bad soil4

Good soil(Crumb structure)

Application 3

Fertilizer/
agrochemical binder
Polyvinyl alcohol is commonly used as a binder in
fertilizer formulations. It can be applied as a solution orin powder form.
The goal is to accelerate the aggregation of ingredients,
and granulation speed, yields and physical propertiesof the granules (for example release control and water
retention properties).

Fertilizer binder

BinderIngredient5

Application 4

Spray adjuvant

Agrochemicals
Leaf surface

In spray adjuvants, polyvinyl alcohol would be one ofthe key ingredients in the recipes. Polyvinyl alcohol
is used for improving rain-fastness which is theability of agrochemical deposits to resist wash-off
by wind and rain.
When using PVOH in spray adjuvants , the effectiveness of the pesticides are significantly improved.
PVOH film forming characteristics help to improvethe coverage and retention of the pesticides.
PVOH and agrochemicals
Leaf surface

6Polyvinyl Alcohol’s Unique Characteristics
in Agriculture
Inherently biodegradable
Good film formation
Water retention & release control
Rain-fastness
Low-dust off properties
Improved germination
Ease of use

Biodegradation
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) is recognized as one of the very
few vinyl polymers which are water soluble and inherently biodegradable in water in the presence of microorganisms. The biodegradability of PVOH is affected byits specification or biodegradation condition.

Fig. 1: Bio-degradation test results for Kuraray Poval™ withdifferent degree of hydrolysis (ISO 14851)

Fig. 2: Bio-degradation test results for Kuraray Poval™ 3-85
(aqueous solution, ISO 17556)

Kuraray Poval™ 5-98
Kuraray Poval™ 5-74

Kuraray Poval™ 3-85Cellulose

Kuraray Poval™ 5-88
1001009070

Bio-degradation (%)

Bio-degradation (%)

80806040605040302020100007142128 35 42 49 56 63 70

077 84102030405060708090100110120Days

Days

Kuraray’s internal biodegradation in water test result following ISO 14851 is shown in Fig.1. The biodegradation
rate of PVOH gets close to 100%. There is a certain induction period until the start of bio-degradation is observed
and it is understood that micro-organisms are gradually
growing during this period.

Kuraray’s external biodegradation in soil test result following ISO
17556 is shown in Fig 2. After 122 days, biodegradation of Kuraray
Poval™ 3-85 has proceeded further and an absolute biodegradationof 39.2% was measured.
From the test results, we can say that Kuraray Poval™ is inherently
biodegradable when dissolved in water.

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Adding value toyour products –worldwide
Kuraray Poval™, Exceval™, Elvanol™ and Mowiflex™ are the trademarks for polyvinyl alcohols
made by 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 of Kuraray Poval™ makeit ideal for a wide variety of applications, ranging from adhesives through paper and ceramics
to packaging films. Many of our polymers are food contact-approved and thus suitable for foodapplications. Ecologically Kuraray Poval™ is advantageous due to its biodegradability and the factthat combustion does not generate residues. It is available in various particle sizes from granules
to fine powders.
Kuraray produces its wide range of Kuraray Poval™ grades in Japan, Singapore, Germany and theUSA. Kuraray’s global production and service network make us your partner of choice for innovative high-quality PVOH resins.
Kuraray – Here to Innovate.

Headquarters
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Tokiwabashi Tower
2-6-4, Otemachi
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo, Japan 100-0004
Phone: +81 3 67 01 1000
infopoval.jp@kuraray.com

Kuraray Poval™
product portfolio
Please contact your localKuraray office to discuss theright Kuraray product foryour needs.

Kuraray America, Inc.
2625 Bay Area Blvd.,
Suite 600 Houston, TX77058
United States of America
Phone: +1 800 423 9762

Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd.
250 North Bridge Road
#10-01/02 Raffles City Tower
Singapore 179101
Phone: +65 6337 4123

info.kuraray-poval@kuraray.com

infopoval.sg@kuraray.com

Kuraray Europe GmbH
Philipp-Reis-Str. 465795 Hattersheim am Main,
Germany
Phone: +49 69 305 85 351

Kuraray China Co., Ltd.
Unit 2207, 2 Grand Gateway
3 Hongqiao Road, Xuhui District,
Shanghai 200030, China
Phone: +86 21 6119 8111

info.eu-poval@kuraray.com

infopoval.cn@kuraray.com

10_2021