EVAL ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH)

CAS N° 26221-27-2

Innovative & Excel – Building better barriers

Eval is the registered trademark for the ethylene vinyl alcohol )EVOH) copolymer resins manufactured and marketed by Kuraray since 1972.

EVAL resins are characterized by their excellent processablilty and outstanding barrier propertiees. The key to this remarkable balance is the combination of the proper copolymerization ratio of ethylene to vinyl alchohol, the carefully selected degree of polymerization and the unique propiertary manufacturing process used in the production of these copolymers.

Advantages & alternatives to:

EVAL resins are manufactured by Kuraray's unique polymer technology under a strict and a continuous quality control. Technological innovations have led to an extended range of different grades of EVAL for variuos applications.

  • Provide high barrier properties to oxygen and other gases.
  • Outstanding barrier to flavor and aroma permeation.
  • Excellent resistance to oil and solvents.
  • Easily printed without special treatment or loss of the barrier properties.
  • Can be theroformed.

Industry segments & applications

Industry Segments Applications
Food and beverages Packaging for meat, cheese, beverages prepared foods and UHT milk
Geomembranes Environmental protection
Automotive Fuel tanks, fuel lines, fuel filler pipes
Industrial Flexible, bottle, floor heating pipe, underground fuel pipe
Cosmetics Containers

How we make it greener

Environmental benefits of EVAL

A one millimeter thickness of EVAL has about the same gas barrier properties as ten meters of LDPE. With such high performance, EVAL gives plastic structures barrier performance that could only previously be achieved with metal or glass.

Protecting quality and value

EVAL adds real funtion to packaging by keeping oxygen out and locking flavor and atmosphere in where they belong. This protexts quality and value, prolongs shelf life without artificial additives and reduces waste - often while reducing the toal amount of packaging. With EVOH, companies have the flexivilty in creating plastic structure designs that are both reliable and safe in use, usually reducing environmental impact and generating savings throughout the product life cycle.

Reduced emissions

When used in barrier structures for construction, agricultural and autmoative fuel system applications, EVAL helps create light-weight structures that help protect the environment from gas, fuel or chemical emissions.

LCA/LCI results & references

Name: Ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), VAM & POVAL Association of Japan.

Source: Sponsored SM Impact Factor

Description: Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol is a formal copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol. EVOH is typically coextruded or laminated as a thin layer between cardboard, foil, or other plastics. EVOH copolymer is defined by the mole % ethylene content: lower ethylene content grades have higher barrier properties; higher ethylene content have lower temperatures for extrustion.

Technology: The copolymer is prepared by polymerization of ethylene and vinyl acetate to give the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer.

LCI DATA
Verification level: 3rd party verified

Data description: Production of EVOH including the exploration and use of resources to the EVOH manufacturing processes based on annual process data from ethylene, methanol, caustic soda and vinyl alcohol monomer.

Literature reference: Data based on data from Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) manufacturers that belong to the VAM & POVAL Association of Japan as published in the report "Inventory Analysis Report on EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Resin) March 2010 Analysis" conducted by EVOH Taskforce Analysis Report compiled by Industrial Information Research Center. Checks for main emission and energy consumption completed and correct. Last LCI update: 10-2012.

Other information: The calculations do not cover the manufacturing processes of copolymerization inhibitors, copolymerization initiators, azeotropic agents and other auxiliary materials used. The by-product, acetic acid is accounted for using unknown allocation. Estimates used for feedstock crude oil sourcing and some sum parameter emissions and waste. All background data modeled using US-EcoInvent LCI processes.

  • Unit: lb
  • SM mPts: 0.117
  • CO2 eq.kg: 2.416

Learn about SM Single Score results

  • Ecological damage
  • Acidification2.31
  • Ecotoxicity4.13
  • Global warming29.75
  • Ozone depletion0.06
  • Eutrophication2.71
  • Resource depletion
  • Fossil fuel depletion38.9
  • Human health damage
  • Respiratory effects2.21
  • Carcinogenics13.97
  • Non carcinogenics2.84
  • Smog3.12