PVA Water-Soluble Film: Applications in Daily Chemical, Agrochemical and Heat Shrinkage Fields

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) water-soluble film is a green, biodegradable polymer material, renowned for its controllable water solubility, excellent mechanical strength and non-toxicity. Derived from PVA resin through specialized processes, it has become an indispensable material in daily chemical, agrochemical and heat shrinkage fields, addressing environmental challenges while meeting industry-specific functional needs. With the global emphasis on carbon neutrality and plastic pollution control, its application scope is constantly expanding, bringing innovative solutions to various sectors.

In the daily chemical industry, PVA water-soluble film has become a core packaging material for single-dose products, driving the industry towards convenience and environmental protection. It is widely used in laundry pods, detergent sachets, bath salts and cosmetic samples, thanks to its room-temperature solubility. Users can directly put the packaged products into water without unpacking, as the film dissolves completely within minutes, leaving no residues on clothes or skin. Its excellent transparency and flexibility also allow consumers to clearly see the product color and texture, enhancing product attractiveness. Additionally, it is oil-resistant and non-static, preventing product leakage and dust adsorption, which is particularly suitable for packaging high-viscosity daily chemical products such as hand sanitizer and hair masks.

The agrochemical field benefits greatly from the environmental protection and safety of PVA water-soluble film, solving the problem of plastic pollution in agricultural production. It is mainly used for packaging pesticides, fertilizers and seed coatings. For pesticide and fertilizer packaging, the film can be customized to dissolve at specific temperatures, avoiding direct contact between farmers and harmful chemicals, and realizing precise dosing to reduce environmental contamination. As a seed coating material, it forms a protective layer to improve germination rate and reduce dust loss during sowing. Importantly, the film is fully biodegradable in soil, decomposing into carbon dioxide and water, and even helping to improve soil structure by enhancing water retention and aggregation.

In the heat shrinkage field, modified PVA water-soluble film has emerged as a new green alternative to traditional non-degradable shrink films. Through plasticizing modification, its crystallinity is reduced, enabling excellent heat shrinkage performance when heated, which can tightly fit products of various shapes and sizes. It is widely used for heat shrink packaging of daily chemical sets, small agrochemical products and high-end commodities. Compared with PVC or PE shrink films, it boasts better transparency and shrinkage uniformity, highlighting product appearance while ensuring environmental friendliness. Its water solubility also facilitates post-use recycling, as the film can be dissolved and degraded without generating plastic waste, meeting the green packaging requirements of modern industries.

With continuous technological innovation, PVA water-soluble film is being optimized for better adaptability in these three fields—such as improving water solubility under extreme conditions and enhancing heat resistance for shrinkage applications. As environmental policies tighten and green consumption becomes mainstream, it will play a more important role in connecting daily chemical, agrochemical and heat shrinkage industries, realizing a balance between functionality, safety and sustainability, and contributing to a greener future for all industries.