| HS Code | 235634 |
| Chemical Nature | Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) |
| Product Form | Chopped staple fiber |
| Binder Fiber Type | Water/heat-activated binder fiber |
| Density | 1.26 - 1.30 g/cm³ |
| Dissolution Temperature | 60°C in water |
| Fiber Fineness | 1.1 dtex (typical papermaking grade) |
| Cut Length | 6 mm (common papermaking cut length) |
| Color | White to off-white |
| Tensile Strength | Approximately 8 - 12 cN/dtex dry |
| Elongation At Break | Approximately 8 - 15% dry |
| Moisture Regain | Approximately 5% under standard atmospheric conditions |
| Solvent Resistance | Insoluble in common organic solvents |
| Chemical Stability | Stable in dilute acids and alkalis |
| Biodegradability | Biodegradable under suitable environmental conditions |
| Bonding Performance | Develops adhesive bonding to pulp fibers when heated above 60°C and dried |
As an accredited Kuraray VPB107-2-PVA Binder Fiber for Paper Making (Dissolves at 60°C) factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Kuraray VPB107-2-PVA Binder Fiber for paper making (dissolves at 60°C) is supplied in 20 kg moisture-proof, polyethylene-lined bags. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL of Kuraray VPB107-2 PVA binder fiber for paper making; heat-soluble at 60°C, loaded securely in dry container. |
| Shipping | Ship Kuraray VPB107-2-PVA Binder Fiber in sealed, moisture-proof packaging to prevent premature dissolution. Avoid high humidity and direct water contact. Store in a cool, dry area away from heat sources. Standard non-hazardous handling applies; protect from damage during transit to maintain product integrity. |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat sources. Keep containers tightly sealed when not in use to prevent water absorption. Avoid dust accumulation and contact with oxidizing agents. Maintain moderate humidity and stable temperatures; at 60°C the fiber dissolves, so keep below this threshold. Follow manufacturer’s shelf-life guidance. |
| Shelf Life | Typically 12 months from manufacture if stored unopened, cool, and dry, protected from sunlight and moisture. |
In heat-seal infusion papers formed on inclined-wire machines from abaca, bleached softwood kraft and heat-sealable synthetic fiber, Kuraray VPB107-2 PVA binder fiber is introduced after stock dilution but before the fan pump. The fiber retains its fibrous form in cold stock below 50°C and dissolves at 60°C in the early dryer section, so final sheet strength develops through PVA-mediated interfiber adhesion rather than through residual whole fibers. On production-scale inclined-wire formers with headbox consistency of 0.2–0.6%, VPB107-2 improves wet-lap transfer to the through-air dryer and reduces fold breaks at the transfer roll. Addition rates are set at 4–12 wt% on bone-dry furnish; below 4 wt% wet-lap defects increase on lines running above 120 m/min, while above 12 wt% heat-seal jaw transfer appears after 6–8 h of continuous sealing at 200–220°C. Food-contact compliance for infusion papers requires FDA 21 CFR 176.170, EC 1935/2004 and BfR Recommendation XXXVI; converters commonly add sensory neutrality per ISO 13302:2003 and total migration documentation under EN 1186. The downstream process uses a furnish of abaca and softwood kraft refined to 25–35°SR, wet laying on an inclined wire, felted pressing, through-air drying with first-zone air at 70–90°C and second-zone air at 110–130°C, followed by calendering at 60–100 N/mm. Terminal product types include single-chamber tea bag paper, double-chamber tea bag plies, herbal infusion pouches and pod lid filter paper.
| Standard / Regulation | Applicable Scope | Test Method or Condition |
|---|---|---|
| FDA 21 CFR 176.170 | Paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods | Extraction cell and solvent conditions per FDA food-type classification; total extractives limit applied |
| EC 1935/2004 | EU framework regulation for food-contact materials | Declaration of compliance; migration testing using EN 1186 series food simulants |
| BfR Recommendation XXXVI | Paper and board for food contact | Cold-water/hot-water extract, sensory odour and taste panel |
| ISO 1924-2 | Dry tensile properties of paper and board | Constant rate of elongation, 15 mm strip |
| ISO 5636-5 | Air permeance of paper and board | Gurley densometer method; results reported as seconds per 100 mL |
| TAPPI T 494 om-22 | Tensile breaking properties of paper and paperboard | Constant rate of elongation |
On coffee filter and single-serve pod lines running at basis weights from 12 to 22 g/m², the main processing conflict is the temperature gradient between the sheet leaving the wet press and the first through-air dryer zone. VPB107-2 remains an inert short-cut fiber until the web reaches 60°C; at line speeds above 150 m/min and wet-web moisture above 70%, the sheet surface can stay below dissolution temperature for several metres, producing low wet tensile at open draws. Wet tensile measured by ISO 1924-2 is therefore more indicative of process stability than dry tensile in this application. To force dissolution within the available dryer length, mills operate the first zone at 80–100°C while limiting final zone temperature to 120–140°C; if final zone air exceeds 150°C, PVA film forms on the hot web surface and transfers to dryer fabrics, raising cleaning frequency. Formulation for coffee filter papers typically uses 5–15 wt% VPB107-2 on bone-dry furnish; when 2–4 wt% carboxymethyl cellulose is added as a temporary wet-web aid, the binder dose can be lowered to 4–8 wt% without loss of final dry strength. Regulatory compliance for coffee filter papers is tied to FDA 21 CFR 176.170, EC 1935/2004 and BfR Recommendation XXXVI, with final article testing under EN 1186 migration methods and sensory evaluation per ISO 13302:2003. The downstream process uses a furnish of eucalyptus hardwood and abaca pulps refined to 25–35°SR, wet laying on an inclined wire, one or two felted presses, and through-air drying; after reeling, converters flute or pleat the paper and seal it by ultrasonics or heat. Terminal product types include basket coffee filters, wedge-shaped filters, pour-over cones and lidded single-serve filter capsules. Because unmodified PVA binder fiber is water-sensitive, filters requiring prolonged boiling-water contact require an additional wet-strength resin; published data for the exact VPB107-2 dosage response in coffee filter paper is limited to mill-scale comparisons of wet tensile and air permeance.
The wet-laid separator substrate for alkaline zinc-manganese cells uses VPB107-2 as a binder that dissolves at 60°C and bonds high-purity woodpulp and regenerated cellulose without forming the dense surface film associated with latex or starch binders. The separator sheet is formed at 14–24 g/m² and calendered to 80–120 µm thickness; pore volume and wicking speed are maintained when the addition ratio is held within 8–18 wt% on bone-dry furnish. Above 18 wt%, the dissolved PVA can fill capillary voids and reduce alkaline electrolyte wicking; below 8 wt%, die-cutting and spiral winding breaks increase on high-speed separator assembly lines. Compliance for battery separator stock references IEC 60086-5:2021 for battery safety, EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 for material restrictions and due diligence, and REACH SVHC declarations for European Union export. The production process uses a Fourdrinier or gap former with a low-ash furnish refined to 35–45°SR; the reeled sheet is dried in a tunnel or cylinder dryer at 60–110°C, where the binder fiber dissolves and migrates to fiber crossover points, then hot-soft calendered at 60–80°C. Terminal product types include separator paper for LR6 and LR03 cylindrical alkaline cells, spiral-wound separator sleeves and coated separator papers for miniature alkaline button cells. Because published data for the exact VPB107-2 configuration in battery separator stock is limited, papermakers typically run ISO 5269-2 handsheet trials before mill trials to bracket dosage and exclude borate-containing additives due to PVA–borate gelation risk.
Saturating kraft intended for decorative high-pressure laminate core stock must absorb phenolic or melamine resins uniformly through the sheet thickness; synthetic latex binders can reduce absorbency and create resin-rich surface layers that cause uneven refractive index after pressing. VPB107-2 is evaluated as a partial latex replacement at 2–5 wt% on oven-dry furnish because it improves dry tensile before saturation while dissolving into a low-volume interfiber bridge rather than a continuous film. The operational boundary is narrow: above 6 wt%, Gurley air resistance measured by ISO 5636-5 increases and saturant pick-up time lengthens, while below 2 wt% the tensile improvement on the paper machine is insufficient to justify reformulation. The downstream process uses bleached softwood kraft refined to 20–28°SR, a Fourdrinier wet end without size press, and cylinder drying to 2–5% final moisture; the sheet is reeled, then passed through a saturation bath containing 30–55% solids thermosetting resin, where high absorbency is required. Regulatory controls for laminate papers are dominated by ISO 4586-2:2018 and EN 438-4 for high-pressure decorative laminates, with REACH conformity for resin components and paper additives. Terminal product types include core layer paper for compact laminates, decorative laminate backs, laboratory worktop core stock and industrial friction-laminate base paper. Because published data for VPB107-2 in saturating kraft is limited, mills typically compare ISO 535 Cobb values, ISO 1924-2 dry tensile and Gurley porosity before approving a partial latex substitution.
Wallpaper base manufactured from groundwood or recycled furnish is sensitive to moisture-induced expansion after paste application; VPB107-2 is added at 3–8 wt% on bone-dry furnish to raise dry tensile and restrain dimensional change during converting. The binder fiber dissolves at 60°C during cylinder drying and forms interfiber bonds that reduce surface fuzz and improve print registration on high-speed gravure and inkjet converting lines. Because unmodified PVA is water-sensitive, the dosage is kept below 8 wt% unless a subsequent water-insolubilizing treatment is applied; above this level, re-wetted wallpaper base can exhibit increased expansion and caliper growth on the paste table. The production process for multi-ply wallpaper base uses a cylinder vat or multi-Fourdrinier machine with top-ply refining at 28–38°SR, a starch or size-press application and reel moisture controlled at 4–5%. Finished wallcoverings in Europe are evaluated under EN 15102:2019 for decorative wallcoverings; the base paper is subject to REACH and national VOC rules, with mill-certificate requirements for heavy metal content and formaldehyde emission. Terminal product types include unpasted wallpaper base, pre-pasted wallpaper backing, digital print wallcovering substrates and expanded vinyl wallpaper paper layers.
At 1.5–5.0 wt% addition on bone-dry furnish, moulded fibre articles formed from bagasse, bamboo or recycled corrugated fibres develop higher edge crush and fewer edge cracks after hot-press consolidation. VPB107-2 dissolves at 60°C in the heated mould, concentrates at fiber crossover points, and strengthens the three-dimensional network without sealing the surface. The downstream process begins with vacuum forming of a wet preform, followed by hot-press consolidation between matched-metal tools at 120–180°C and 5–20 MPa; above 5 wt%, mold release becomes more difficult because PVA film can transfer to hot tool surfaces over extended runs, especially above 150°C, while below 1.5 wt%, improvements in edge crush measured by TAPPI T 811 and drop resistance are too small to justify cost. Food-contact moulded products are evaluated under FDA 21 CFR 176.170 and EC 1935/2004; where compostability claims are required, the finished article is tested under EN 13432:2000, although certification must be conducted on the final formulation. Terminal product types include clamshell food containers, cup lids, trays, egg cartons and protective insert trays for retail packaging, with the binder content adjusted according to the required hot or cold food contact condition.
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In wet-laid sheet formation, a binder fiber remains water-insoluble during slushing and sheet forming, then dissolves in the dryer section to form a continuous polyvinyl alcohol matrix across fiber crossings. Kuraray VPB107-2 is a polyvinyl alcohol binder fiber specified for papermaking and wet-laid nonwovens with a dissolution temperature of 60°C in water. The fiber is added as a solid cut staple, typically at 2 wt% to 12 wt% of dry furnish, and remains discrete through the headbox, forming fabric, vacuum boxes, and wet press. Activation occurs only when the sheet retains sufficient moisture and reaches the dissolution threshold in the dryer. Because VPB107-2 does not form a latex film or require aqueous binder preparation, binder distribution is governed by fiber dispersion rather than spray or metered-solution uniformity.
Dissolution of VPB107-2 is water-mediated, not a melt transition. At atmospheric pressure in neutral water, the grade is specified to dissolve at 60°C; below approximately 50°C the fiber remains as an intact reinforcing staple. The exact onset temperature depends on heating rate, pH, dissolved salts, and retained sheet moisture. In a dryer section, the fiber softens at the surface, then releases polyvinyl alcohol into the surrounding aqueous phase. As the sheet dries, the dissolved polymer concentrates at fiber-fiber junctions and forms a semicrystalline hydrogen-bonded network. This mechanism differs from hot-melt binder fibers that require polymer fusion, because PVA requires water to mobilize the polymer chain.
| Property or parameter | Technical information | Operational relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber chemistry | Polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer, cut staple | Solid binder; no surfactant or coalescent demand |
| Dissolution temperature in neutral water | 60°C | Activation threshold in dryer; wet-end must remain below this value |
| Dosage form | White cut staple; cut length and linear density per batch certificate | Metering as solid fiber; dispersion controls binder distribution |
| Typical loading in dry furnish | 2 wt% to 12 wt% | Lower for wet strength; higher for dry tensile and stiffness |
| Binder phase before activation | Discrete water-insoluble fiber below 50°C | Low blocking on forming fabrics; minimal two-sidedness |
| Storage conditions | Store below 40°C and below 65% relative humidity | Prevents fiber tackiness and bridging in feed hoppers |
| Compliance evaluation | REACH registration status and FDA 21 CFR 176.170 suitability require supplier confirmation per grade | Food-contact use must be validated in final article |
The nominal dissolution temperature is a selection target; it is not a substitute for dryer-section thermocouple verification. Because PVA dissolution is endothermic and limited by water transport, a web surface temperature of 60°C does not guarantee complete binder dissolution. The critical variable is the wet-web temperature at the point where residual moisture is still high enough to dissolve the polymer. On lightweight papers, the sheet can lose free water before reaching 60°C, causing incomplete development of wet strength. Cut length and linear density are batch-controlled properties and should be confirmed by certificate of analysis. If incoming inspection is required, linear density can be determined by vibroscope under ISO 1973, and staple length distribution by image analysis.
When mill white-water temperature approaches 55°C, the operating margin for VPB107-2 becomes narrow. In closed water systems common on high-speed gap formers, white-water temperature can rise above 50°C during summer operation or after extended production with high refining energy. If furnish temperature at the headbox reaches the dissolution threshold, the fiber may begin to dissolve before sheet formation. The resulting polymer solution increases furnish viscosity, reduces drainage, and deposits on forming fabric surfaces. Deposition is typically detected as increased couch roll picking, felt filling, and sheet surface defects that resemble stickies. The practical process boundary is therefore a furnish temperature not exceeding 55°C with short residence time in the approach system. Published data for this specific configuration is limited; each mill must map temperature profiles through the machine chest, stuff box, fan pump, and headbox before adopting the fiber.
Addition level interacts with drainage and formation. At 2 wt% to 5 wt%, the fiber generally behaves as a retention-friendly short-cut synthetic fiber with minimal effect on Schopper-Riegler freeness measured according to ISO 5267-1. At 10 wt% and above, the number of discrete synthetic fibers increases furnish drainage resistance and can reduce air permeability. Formation should be evaluated by beta-radiographic formation indexing or equivalent machine vision, because binder distribution follows fiber distribution. Poor formation at high addition levels produces thick and thin domains that develop unequal PVA film coverage after dissolution.
For food-contact tea bag, coffee filter, and filter paper grades where a synthetic latex would be undesirable, VPB107-2 can be used as a heat-activated binder provided the final article is assessed for migration under the intended food simulant and contact conditions. Compliance with FDA 21 CFR 176.170 and EU 1935/2004/EC is not inherent to the fiber grade; it is a function of the complete sheet composition, residual PVA content, and any thermal degradation products. Papermakers should also verify that dissolved PVA in white water does not raise biological treatment loads beyond the mill’s discharge consent. Chemical oxygen demand can be measured according to ISO 6060 to track soluble PVA contribution.
Replacement of an anionic acrylic latex with VPB107-2 changes the binding mechanism from discrete film-forming particles to a fiber-form polymer reservoir. In latex-bonded wet-laid sheets, binder migration during drying can produce a polymer-rich felt side and a polymer-starved wire side, measured as two-sidedness in IGT pick resistance or surface strength tests. VPB107-2 remains as staple fiber during forming, so the PVA is anchored in the sheet structure until dissolution. After activation, the PVA film forms within the sheet cross-section, reducing the external surface film that often affects absorbency. This difference is important for filtration grades, where surface film formation can close pores. Air permeance should be measured according to ISO 5636-3 and compared at equal dry tensile index.
Compared with highly fibrillated cellulose binders, VPB107-2 does not generate the same level of fines-driven dewatering resistance. Cellulosic fibrils and nanofibrils bind through hydrogen bonding and high specific surface area; they can reduce freeness sharply at low addition levels. VPB107-2 contributes hydrogen bonding only after dissolution, and the pre-dissolution fiber has a much lower surface area. The product is therefore used in grades where high wet-web solids after pressing or high machine speed cannot tolerate severe drainage restrictions.
Within water-soluble PVA binder fiber families, lower-dissolving grades activate near 40°C. Those products can be used on low-temperature drying lines, but they impose tight white-water temperature limits and may block during warm-weather storage or transport. Higher-dissolving grades near 80°C offer a wider wet-end window but may not fully dissolve on lightweight grades where the sheet never reaches the required web temperature. VPB107-2 occupies the middle position at 60°C, which balances machine runnability with dryer energy. This is a selection trade-off, not a universal advantage.
Dryer-section temperature alone does not define binder activation. The sheet must retain enough water at the point where the web reaches 60°C. In practice, this means the first dryer cylinders or infrared hood should not be operated to remove free water too aggressively before the web temperature reaches the dissolution threshold. If the sheet surface dries rapidly, a skin of dissolved PVA can form while undissolved fiber cores remain. The result is a brittle surface with low internal ply bond, measured by Scott bond under TAPPI T 569 or equivalent. Mill trials should compare wet tensile index after immersion for 1 h in deionized water at 23°C using ISO 3781:2015, as well as dry tensile index under ISO 1924-2. For repulpability of PVA-bonded broke, the repulper must operate above the dissolution temperature; however, published break recovery data for VPB107-2 is limited and should be established on the mill’s own broke handling system.
At addition levels above 8 wt%, machine trials should include a dryer-section audit with infrared thermocouple profiling to confirm that the sheet center reaches 60°C for sufficient dwell time. A sheet center thermocouple or a handheld IR pyrometer at the dryer exit is not sufficient to verify internal activation because surface temperature may be higher than center temperature. Confirmation is obtained through wet tensile retention after immersion, ply bond data, and microscopic examination of cross-sections for undissolved fiber ghosts under polarized light.
Property cliff-edge behavior is observed above roughly 12 wt%: dry tensile index can continue to increase with binder content, but air permeability and absorbency decline nonlinearly because the swollen PVA film fills interfiber pores. In filter grades, this trade-off is evaluated by plotting dry tensile index against air permeance per ISO 5636-3 and against mean flow pore size by capillary flow porometry. A formulation that exceeds the target pore-size limit may fail functional performance even if tensile strength is acceptable. Therefore, binder dosage cannot be set solely from tensile data.
| Binder system | Activation mechanism | Wet-end behavior | High-temperature or dryer response | Typical use boundary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VPB107-2 PVA fiber | Dissolves at 60°C in water | Discrete fiber; low surface area | Requires moisture at threshold | Warm white-water loop must stay below 55°C |
| Synthetic latex | Film formation on drying, ambient or low-heat | Liquid emulsion; migration possible | Rapid film formation, two-sidedness potential | High wet strength and smoothness, but repulpability lower |
| Cellulose fibrils | Hydrogen bonding after refining and drying | High specific surface, strong drainage loss | No thermal activation threshold | Very low addition for strength, but machine speed may be constrained |
| Low-dissolving PVA fiber | Dissolves below 40°C | Premature dissolution risk in warm mills | Low dryer demand | Cold-white-water lines and lightweight grades |
| High-dissolving PVA fiber | Dissolves near 80°C | Wider wet-end window | Requires higher dryer temperatures | Heavy grades or machines with high after-dryer capacity |
Because VPB107-2 is hygroscopic, storage and handling require humidity control. Opened bags in a paper mill with relative humidity above 65% can absorb moisture, leading to fiber-surface tackiness, hopper bridging, and non-uniform feed. Material should be stored in sealed packaging below 40°C and consumed in a way that limits exposure to humid machine-room air. Compatibility with sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide, or other strong oxidants used in felt cleaning or furnish disinfection should be evaluated; PVA can undergo oxidative chain scission that lowers film toughness. The product should not be refined with cellulosic furnish under high-consistency conditions because the mechanical shear may fragment the fiber and reduce binding efficiency. Dryer-section modifications, wet-end temperature control, and furnish compatibility with alkaline sizing chemicals should be confirmed in a pilot trial before converting an entire production grade.
