Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC)

Description

1. Product Overview

Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) is a high-barrier, thermoplastic polymer renowned for its exceptional resistance to oxygen, moisture, aromas, and aggressive chemicals. Its primary industrial use is in advanced barrier coatings and films for flexible and rigid packaging, particularly in food, pharmaceutical, and high-performance industrial applications. The key value proposition lies in extending product shelf life while reducing material thickness versus alternative barrier materials, directly lowering total system costs. Strategically, PVDC is critical as global regulations push for reduced food waste and higher-performance, recyclable-compatible packaging solutions.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Copolymer of vinylidene chloride (typically 75–95%) with comonomers such as vinyl chloride or methyl acrylate

• Purity level / grade: Industrial grade (≥99.5% polymer content); available in latex dispersion (50–60% solids) and solid resin pellet forms

• Physical characteristics:

  • Form: White to pale cream free-flowing powder or pellets; also as aqueous latex

  • Particle size (resin): 100–500 µm

  • Density: 1.65–1.70 g/cm³

  • Melt temperature: 160–180°C (decomposes before melting → typically processed via dispersion coating)

  • Oxygen transmission rate (OTR): < 0.5 cc/(m²·day·atm) at 23°C / 50% RH (film thickness 20–25 g/m²)

  • Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR): < 1 g/(m²·day) at similar conditions

• Packaging options: 25 kg multi-wall paper bags, 500–1,000 kg FIBC super sacks, or ISO-tank containers for latex form

• Shelf life: 12 months from date of manufacture when stored below 30°C, away from UV light and moisture

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industries: Food packaging, pharmaceutical blister packaging, industrial protective films, and specialty chemical barriers

• Specific use cases:

  • Processed meats & cheese: Co-extruded or coated films for vacuum packaging – PVDC retains gases and moisture 5–10× better than EVOH at high humidity

  • Medical device packaging: Sterilization-compatible barrier films resistant to EtO and gamma radiation

  • Laminated tubes (cosmetics/toothpaste): Internal PVDC layer prevents solvent migration and product drying

  • Aerosol can linings: Corrosion barrier against aggressive propellants

• Why better than alternatives: Unlike EVOH, PVDC does not lose oxygen barrier properties at >80% relative humidity. Versus metallized films, PVDC offers transparency for product inspection and no risk of pinhole failure. Versus aluminum foil, PVDC provides flexibility, lighter weight, and compatibility with high-speed form-fill-seal lines.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: SPC-controlled production with batch-to-batch OTR variance < ±5%; ISO 9001:2025 certified

• Supply reliability: Dual-sourced raw materials (ethylene dichloride and VCM) + buffer stock of minimum 2,000 MT across three regional warehouses (Asia, EU, Americas)

• Logistics capability: Dedicated temperature-controlled supply chain for latex (prevents coagulation); resin shipped with desiccant-lined containers

• Price competitiveness: Long-term offtake agreements with chlor-alkali producers lock monomer cost volatility to ±8% annually, enabling fixed-price quarterly contracts

• Sustainability: PVDC-coated films are mechanically recyclable in polyolefin streams when applied at <5 g/m²; non-migratory grades compliant with EU 10/2011 and FDA 21 CFR 177.1380

• Technical support: On-site application lab for coating trials, adhesion testing, and downgauging audits included with annual supply agreements

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 20 metric tons (MT) per grade

• BULK 20MT Loading capacity: One full 20-foot dry container (20 MT of resin pellets packed in 25 kg bags on pallets – 20 pallets, 1 MT each)

• Container type for 20MT: 20’ GP (general purpose) – resin; 20’ ISO tank – latex form (20 MT net weight)

• Note: For latex, maximum loading is 20 MT per 20’ ISO tank (due to density of 1.2 kg/L). For resin, 20 MT is standard net weight per container without exceeding 24 MT gross weight limit.