Patent ID: 8664313

Claim:
A method of producing an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer aqueous dispersion, which comprises: (1) a step of dissolving an ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer in a mixed solvent comprising 5 to 65% by weight of water and 35 to 95% by weight of a water-soluble organic solvent, with heating, wherein the mixed solvent contains an ethylene/α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer neutralized with a base, (2) a step of cooling a solution obtained in said step (1) to precipitate the ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, (3) a step of reducing a concentration of the water-soluble organic solvent in said mixed solvent to a level not higher than 28% by weight relative to the total amount of the water and water-soluble organic solvent by adding water, and (4) a step of distilling off said water-soluble organic solvent by heating to a temperature of 60° C. to 120° C., wherein a solid matter concentration in the ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer aqueous dispersion obtained is not lower than 15% by weight.