Last Updated
2026-05-01
Key takeaways for search and sourcing teams
- Polyvinyl alcohol market coverage spans 14 countries.
- 44 exporter companies and 49 importer companies are indexed in the global supply chain intelligence network for this product.
- 149 supplier-linked transactions are summarized across the top 11 countries.
- 0 premium suppliers and 0 catalog items are currently listed.
- Wholesale sample entries: 0; farmgate sample entries: 0.
- Page data last updated on 2026-05-01.
Global Supplier Transactions, Export Activity, and Price Benchmarks for Polyvinyl alcohol
Analyze 149 supplier-linked transactions across the top 11 countries, with monthly unit-price benchmarks to track export competitiveness and sourcing risk for Polyvinyl alcohol.
Polyvinyl alcohol Country YoY Change in Supplier Transactions and Export Momentum
Compare positive and negative YoY shifts in Polyvinyl alcohol to identify accelerating supplier markets and weakening export corridors.
Top YoY shifts for Polyvinyl alcohol: Vietnam (+1778.2%), China (+103.1%), South Korea (+83.4%).
Polyvinyl alcohol Country-Level Supplier Transaction and Unit Price Summary
As of 2025-06, benchmark Polyvinyl alcohol country transaction counts with monthly unit price and volume to prioritize supplier and export markets.
In 2025-11, countries with visible Polyvinyl alcohol transaction unit prices: United States (45.89 USD / kg), Hong Kong (7.01 USD / kg), Germany (6.54 USD / kg), Thailand (5.00 USD / kg), China (4.77 USD / kg), 3 more countries.
| Country | YoY Change | Transaction Count | 2025-06 | 2025-07 | 2025-08 | 2025-09 | 2025-10 | 2025-11 | 2025-12 | 2026-01 | 2026-02 | 2026-03 | 2026-04 | 2026-05 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | +27.0% | 61 | 11.93 USD / kg (39,380 kg) | 12.59 USD / kg (261,140 kg) | - (-) | 6.52 USD / kg (277,780 kg) | - (-) | 6.54 USD / kg (143,090 kg) | ||||||
| China | +103.1% | 22 | 6.54 USD / kg (468 kg) | 8.78 USD / kg (4,820 kg) | - (-) | 1.41 USD / kg (31,200 kg) | 2.65 USD / kg (24,000 kg) | 4.77 USD / kg (7,430 kg) | ||||||
| South Korea | +83.4% | 7 | - (-) | 2.21 USD / kg (1,000 kg) | - (-) | - (-) | 2.21 USD / kg (1,600 kg) | - (-) | ||||||
| Taiwan | - | 15 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 0.39 USD / kg (45,120 kg) | 1.00 USD / kg (0.3 kg) | 0.45 USD / kg (45,120 kg) | ||||||
| Vietnam | +1778.2% | 12 | 200.25 USD / kg (509 kg) | - (-) | 199.39 USD / kg (18 kg) | 99.87 USD / kg (3,812 kg) | - (-) | 1.60 USD / kg (64,452 kg) | ||||||
| India | -55.7% | 2 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | ||||||
| United States | -0.4% | 14 | 47.02 USD / kg (13.73 kg) | 47.02 USD / kg (70.59 kg) | 47.01 USD / kg (20.6 kg) | 47.02 USD / kg (19,243.73 kg) | 47.02 USD / kg (13.73 kg) | 45.89 USD / kg (209.66 kg) | ||||||
| Netherlands | -20.7% | 5 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 2.65 USD / kg (41,120 kg) | 3.48 USD / kg (-) | 1.07 USD / kg (64,680 kg) | ||||||
| Hong Kong | - | 5 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 7.01 USD / kg (78,300 kg) | 7.01 USD / kg (78,300 kg) | 7.01 USD / kg (26,100 kg) | ||||||
| Thailand | - | 1 | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | - (-) | 5.00 USD / kg (1.2 kg) |
Polyvinyl alcohol Global Supply Chain Coverage
93 companies
44 exporters and 49 importers are mapped for Polyvinyl alcohol.
Exporters and importers can use Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to identify counterparties for Polyvinyl alcohol, benchmark reach, and prioritize outreach by market.
Polyvinyl alcohol Export Supplier Intelligence, Trade Flows, and Price Signals
44 exporter companies are mapped in Tridge Supply Chain Intelligence for Polyvinyl alcohol. Exporters and importers can use company profiles and analytics to evaluate supplier coverage, trading activity, and route opportunities.
Polyvinyl alcohol Top Exporters and Supplier Profiles
Review leading exporter profiles while benchmarking against 44 total exporter companies in the Polyvinyl alcohol supply chain intelligence network. Exporters and importers can unlock company profiles and analytics to qualify partners faster.
(Vietnam)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-30
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(China)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-12-22
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
Exporting Countries: Vietnam
Supplying Products: Polyvinyl alcohol, Propylene glycol, Glycerol ester of wood rosin +2
(India)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Trade
(Singapore)
Latest Export Transaction: 2025-09-06
Recently Export Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / Wholesale
Exporting Countries: India
Supplying Products: Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyethylene glycol
(Germany)
Latest Export Transaction: 2026-03-30
Employee Size: 1 - 10 Employees
Industries: Land TransportShipping And Water TransportOthersFreight Forwarding And Intermodal
Value Chain Roles: Distribution / WholesaleLogisticsTradeOthers
Polyvinyl alcohol Global Exporter Coverage
44 companies
Exporter company count is a key signal for Polyvinyl alcohol supply depth and sourcing optionality.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics to narrow Polyvinyl alcohol opportunities by country, product, and value-chain role, then open company profiles to validate fit.
Polyvinyl alcohol Import Buyer Intelligence, Demand Signals, and Price Benchmarks
49 importer companies are mapped for Polyvinyl alcohol demand intelligence. Use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to prioritize buyers, distributors, and downstream demand partners by market.
Polyvinyl alcohol Top Buyers, Importers, and Demand Partners
Review leading buyer profiles and compare them against 49 total importer companies tracked for Polyvinyl alcohol. Exporters and importers can use Supply Chain Intelligence company profiles and analytics to evaluate buyer quality and demand concentration.
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-05
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Employee Size: 11 - 50 Employees
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Canada)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Mexico)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-03-30
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Pakistan)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-12-08
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: -
(Vietnam)
Latest Import Transaction: 2026-01-12
Employee Size: 501 - 1000 Employees
Industries: Animal ProductionFood ManufacturingOthers
Value Chain Roles: -
(Mexico)
Latest Import Transaction: 2025-11-01
Recently Import Partner Companies: 1
Industries: Others
Value Chain Roles: Spain
Global Importer Coverage
49 companies
Importer company count highlights the current depth of demand-side visibility for Polyvinyl alcohol.
Use Supply Chain Intelligence analytics and company profiles to identify active Polyvinyl alcohol buyers, compare partner density by country, and refine GTM priorities.
Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormPrimary form (powder/granules)
Industry PositionFood additive (glazing agent/thickener) and supplement excipient
Market
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA; INS 1203) is a synthetic, water-soluble polymer traded globally as an industrial input and, in some jurisdictions, used in narrowly defined food-additive applications such as film coatings and related functions for food supplements. Global trade is typically tracked under HS 3905.30 in newer HS revisions (and HS 390520 in HS 1988/92 nomenclature used in some trade databases), reflecting shipments of PVA in primary forms. UN Comtrade-derived trade views (via WITS) indicate export supply is concentrated in a small set of manufacturing/export hubs—most notably China, the United States, and Japan—while major import hubs include the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United States. Market access and continuity depend heavily on meeting food-additive identity/purity specifications (JECFA) and aligning with jurisdiction-specific authorizations (e.g., EU permissions for food supplements).
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Major Producing Countries
- ChinaMajor exporting/manufacturing hub indicated by UN Comtrade-derived trade rankings (WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 used in that interface).
- United StatesMajor exporting/manufacturing hub indicated by UN Comtrade-derived trade rankings (WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 used in that interface).
- JapanMajor exporting/manufacturing hub indicated by UN Comtrade-derived trade rankings (WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 used in that interface).
Major Exporting Countries
- ChinaTop exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 label: 'Polyvinyl alcohols, in primary forms').
- United StatesTop exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 label: 'Polyvinyl alcohols, in primary forms').
- JapanTop exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520 label: 'Polyvinyl alcohols, in primary forms').
- SingaporeNotable exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520). May reflect regional distribution/re-export activity.
- United KingdomNotable exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
- SpainNotable exporter by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
Major Importing Countries
- NetherlandsTop importer by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520). Often functions as an EU logistics/distribution gateway.
- BelgiumTop importer by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
- GermanyTop importer by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
- United StatesTop importer by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
- ChinaTop importer by value in 2024 in UN Comtrade-derived trade view (World Bank WITS; HS 1988/92 code 390520).
Specification
Physical Attributes
- Odourless, translucent, white to cream-coloured granular powder per JECFA specification monographs; water-soluble and film-forming in typical use grades.
- Functional performance in coatings/binders varies with degree of polymerization and degree of hydrolysis (key commercial specification axes).
Compositional Metrics
- Degree of hydrolysis is a key identity/purity parameter in JECFA-related specifications; a cited range for the food additive specification is 86.5–89.0% hydrolysis (JECFA monograph, INCHem).
- JECFA specification includes pH and solubility identity checks (e.g., soluble in water; pH specified for a defined dilution in the monograph).
Grades
- Commercial and functional grades are commonly differentiated as partially vs. fully hydrolysed PVA and by viscosity/degree of polymerization (noted in JECFA monograph context describing dependence on degree of polymerization/hydrolysis).
ProcessingUsed as a coating/binder/sealing/surface-finishing agent and as a glazing agent/thickener in food-additive contexts (INS 1203 functional classes; JECFA).
Supply Chain
Value Chain
- Vinyl acetate polymerization to poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) → alkaline-catalyzed hydrolysis/alcoholysis to PVA → precipitation/washing → drying and milling → shipment as primary-form resin/powder → downstream formulation into aqueous film coatings/binders/glazes for approved food applications (e.g., supplements).
Demand Drivers
- Demand tied to regulated food-additive uses as film coating/binder/glazing functions (notably food supplement coatings in the EU) and to broader industrial demand that shares the same upstream resin supply chain.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighThe deal-breaker global risk is regulatory re-authorization and specification tightening for polymeric food additives: PVA is identified as INS 1203 by JECFA/Codex-related systems and is authorized with use restrictions in some jurisdictions (e.g., EU authorization focused on food supplements under the EU additives framework). Any safety re-evaluation, narrowing of permitted uses, or changes to identity/purity specifications (including impurity limits tied to manufacturing) can rapidly disrupt market access and trade flows for food-grade material.Maintain jurisdiction-specific regulatory dossiers and supplier documentation (JECFA/FAO specs alignment, EU authorization scope, FDA food-contact/compliance where relevant), and qualify at least two suppliers/grades that meet food-grade specifications.
Specifications And Batch Variability MediumPVA’s functional performance and compliance profile depend on degree of hydrolysis and degree of polymerization; variability can affect solubility, coating performance, and whether product matches the food-additive specification described in JECFA monographs. This elevates the risk of out-of-spec lots in cross-border transactions where buyers reference Codex/JECFA-oriented identity and purity expectations.Contract on explicit specification dimensions (degree of hydrolysis, viscosity/DP proxies, residual acetate profile) and require lot-level certificates of analysis referencing recognized monographs/specifications.
Food Contact Versus Direct Use MediumIn practice, PVA appears in regulatory inventories for food-contact applications (e.g., certain FDA listings and CFR references) as well as in food-additive listings (e.g., EU E 1203 in food supplements). Misclassification between food-contact-only grades/uses and direct food-additive uses can cause border rejections, relabeling, or reformulation delays.Segregate SKUs by intended use (food additive vs. food contact) and ensure labels, SDS/technical data sheets, and customer declarations match the destination market’s legal basis.
FAQ
What is INS 1203 (polyvinyl alcohol) used for in food-related applications?INS 1203 is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). WHO/FAO JECFA lists it with functional classes such as glazing agent and thickener, and JECFA specification monographs describe its use as a coating/binder/sealing/surface-finishing agent in certain food applications (with some jurisdictions authorizing limited uses, such as food supplement coatings in the EU).
How is food-grade polyvinyl alcohol manufactured?JECFA monographs describe polyvinyl alcohol as being made by polymerizing vinyl acetate to form poly(vinyl acetate) and then partially hydrolyzing (alcoholysis/hydrolysis) the ester using an alkaline catalyst, followed by steps such as washing and drying to obtain a granular powder. Reference descriptions in Britannica similarly explain that PVA is produced via conversion of polyvinyl acetate rather than direct polymerization of vinyl alcohol.
Is polyvinyl alcohol (E 1203) permitted in the European Union, and for what use?EFSA has addressed specifications for polyvinyl alcohol (E 1203) and notes it is authorized as a food additive in food supplements in accordance with the EU additives framework (Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008). Practical permission is therefore use- and category-specific rather than a blanket authorization for all foods.
Sources
Polyvinyl alcohol Country Coverage for Suppliers, Export Flows, and Prices
Explore country-level Polyvinyl alcohol market pages for supplier coverage, trade flows, and price benchmarks.
All country market pages: China, India, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Germany, Hong Kong, South Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, United States
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