Kuraray America Showcases Sustainable Packaging Innovation at Sustainability in Packaging US 2026

Sustainability in Packaging US 2026 and Kuraray America, Inc. PVOH Team
→ We’re the Stage Sponsors.
→ We’ve presented
→ We’re exhibiting.
….and in our Centennial year, we’re building on 100 years of innovation to push the sustainable packaging conversation even further.

March 10–12 | Hilton Chicago
Onsite team Vitor Godoy, Tim Davis, David Higginbotham, Xiaonan Singer Ph.D., Charles Neal

Presentation Recap
“Advancing Recyclability of PVOH-Based Barrier Coatings in Mono-Material Flexible Packaging.”

Vitor Godoy, TS&D Engineer
March 11
3:15 PM CST

As the industry accelerates toward mono-material structures, this session explored how polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH)-based barrier coatings can enable recyclability, without compromising performance.

On the Exhibit Floor 
KURARAY POVAL™ and EXCEVAL™. Rooted in PVOH technology, the polymer is inherently biodegradable and provides high-performance solutions for sustainable paper and flexible packaging applications.

KURARAY POVAL™
🔹Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) for paper and packaging applications
🔹Enables water‑based oxygen and grease barrier coatings for paper and board
🔹Excellent film‑forming properties and processability
🔹Supports functional aqueous barrier coatings
🔹Selected grades are BPI‑certified, reinforcing our commitment to environmentally conscious and compostable material solutions

EXCEVAL™
🔸Hydrophobically modified PVOH developed for demanding barrier requirements
🔸Provides water, grease, and gas barrier performance, even under high-humidity conditions.
🔸Barrier solution for paper‑based food applications
🔸Enables recyclable and re-pulpable high-barrier aqueous coatings.
🔸Suitable for paper coatings, adhesives, and sustainable packaging solutions