Exceval is a premium line of modified polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) developed by Kuraray, designed to offer superior water resistance, excellent film-forming ability, and enhanced barrier properties. As industries continue seeking environmentally responsible materials that deliver high performance, Exceval has become a favored solution across packaging, adhesives, construction, and specialty coatings. Its unique structure and functional advantages make it one of the most versatile polymers available today.
What Is Exceval?
Exceval is a family of ethylene-modified polyvinyl alcohol resins, known for their improved water resistance and mechanical strength compared to conventional PVOH grades. By introducing ethylene or other functional groups into the polymer chain, Kuraray has engineered Exceval to maintain the biodegradability and safety of traditional PVOH while significantly enhancing its durability and barrier performance.
Available in various grades, Exceval offers controlled levels of hydrolysis, viscosity, and ethylene content, allowing manufacturers to choose the most suitable option for their application needs.
Key Properties and Performance Advantages
Exceval delivers a range of high-value features that set it apart from standard PVOH:
- Excellent Water Resistance
Unlike regular PVOH, which dissolves readily in water, Exceval exhibits strong water resistance due to its modified molecular structure. This quality is particularly beneficial for packaging films, coatings, and adhesives that require moisture tolerance.
- Superior Oxygen Barrier
Exceval provides an exceptional oxygen barrier, making it ideal for food packaging and pharmaceutical applications where product shelf life and freshness are priorities. Its barrier performance often rivals or exceeds that of traditional synthetic resins.
- Outstanding Film-Forming Ability
Exceval forms tough, flexible, and transparent films with excellent tensile strength. These films maintain clarity and structural integrity even under stress, making them suitable for laminations and surface coatings.
- Eco-Friendly and Safe
Like traditional PVOH, Exceval is non-toxic, biodegradable, and compliant with global safety standards. It meets regulatory requirements for food contact and environmentally sensitive applications.
- Chemical and Solvent Resistance
The ethylene modification enhances resistance to oils, greases, and certain solvents, expanding Exceval’s use in demanding industrial processes.
Major Applications of Exceval
Because of its enhanced functionality, Exceval is used in a wide range of industries:
- Food Packaging
As an oxygen barrier layer in multilayer packaging films, Exceval extends shelf life and protects sensitive products. - Adhesives
Exceval improves bonding strength, water resistance, and flexibility in adhesives for paper, wood, and specialty materials. - Paper and Paperboard Coatings
It enhances printability, surface strength, and resistance to moisture and oils. - Textile Sizing
Exceval provides stable sizing performance with reduced breakage and improved weaving efficiency. - Construction Materials
It is used in cement modifiers, waterproof coatings, and sealants to improve durability and adhesion. - Emulsifier for Polymerization
Exceval works as a protective colloid in producing high-performance emulsions, especially where water resistance is required.
Why Industries Prefer Exceval
The rising demand for sustainable and high-performance materials has propelled Exceval into global markets. Its balance of strength, flexibility, biodegradability, and barrier functionality makes it a cost-effective alternative to synthetic polymers like EVOH in many applications. Moreover, industries appreciate its processability and compatibility with existing equipment, reducing overall production complexity.
Conclusion
Exceval is a powerful, eco-friendly polymer solution offering unmatched water resistance, oxygen barrier protection, and film performance. As packaging, adhesives, and construction industries continue to evolve toward more efficient and sustainable materials, Exceval stands out as a reliable choice for manufacturers requiring quality, safety, and long-term performance.
