  polyvinyl alcohol (pvoh, pva, or pval) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer (not to be confused with polyvinyl acetate, a popular wood glue). it has the idealized formula [ch2ch(oh)]n. it is used in papermaking, textiles, and a variety of coatings. it is white (colourless) and odorless. it is sometimes supplied as beads or as solutions in water. ==uses== * polyvinyl acetals: polyvinyl acetals are prepared by reacting aldehydes with polyvinyl alcohol. polyvinyl butyral (pvb) and polyvinyl formal (pvf) are examples of this family of polymers. they are prepared from polyvinyl alcohol by reaction with butyraldehyde and formaldehyde, respectively. preparation of polyvinyl butyral is the largest use for polyvinyl alcohol in the u.s. and western europe. polyvinyl alcohol is used as an emulsion polymerization aid, as protective colloid, to make polyvinyl acetate dispersions. this is the largest market application in china. in japan its major use is vinylon fiber production.sri consulting ceh report polyvinyl alcohol, published march 2007, abstract retrieved july 30, 2008. some other uses of polyvinyl alcohol include: * paper adhesive with boric acid in spiral tube winding and solid board production * thickener, modifier, in polyvinyl acetate glues * textile sizing agent * paper coatings, release liner, * as a water-soluble film useful for packaging. an example is the envelope containing laundry detergent in "liqui-tabs". * feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products as a biodegradable plastic backing sheet. * [
Biodegradable_plastics Polymers Vinyl_polymers