Polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble synthetic polymer, created by the polymerization of vinyl acetate followed by hydrolysis (or saponification). The polymerization process involves the reaction of vinyl acetate monomers, which are polymerized into polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). In the subsequent hydrolysis stage, the ester groups (-COOCH3) in polyvinyl acetate are partially or fully replaced by hydroxyl groups (-OH), resulting in polyvinyl alcohol.The degree of hydrolysis (the extent to which the ester groups are converted into alcohol groups) and the polymer’s molecular weight play key roles in determining the physical properties of the material. Polyvinyl alcohol can be produced with a wide range of hydrolysis levels, from 85% to 99%, and with varying molecular weights.