Short answer
To source PVOH film, confirm five things: the grade that dissolves at your water temperature, independent lab test reports on the film itself, storage stability, the minimum order and capacity, and a sample run on your own line. With PVA PRO: cold, warm and hot water grades; ARCHA lab tests (passed ISO 14852 in 32 days, ASTM D6691 in 43 days); retained samples stable 5+ years; MOQ 500 kg; 200 tons per month.
Step 1: define the job
Start with the use, not the material. Write down the product, the bag or film format, the size and thickness, the print, and the water temperature at which the film should dissolve, or should not dissolve. A laundry bag, a detergent dose and a garment bag need different grades.
- Formats: single web roll, tube on roll, flat bags, gusset bags, seal tape closure, hanger bags, perforated laundry bags.
- Width 200 to 2200 mm; thickness 15 to 150 µm.
- Print up to 4 colours; transparent; colouring possible.
- Options: anti-static, mold resistant, UV resistant, anti-corrosion (VCI).
Step 2: match the grade to the water temperature
AquaFlex B-CWS dissolves in water above 25°C, B-WWS above 40°C and B-HWS above 70°C; EX-CWS is the extrusion coating grade, and the L-series are liquid coatings. Thickness changes dissolution too, so ask for the data sheet of the exact grade and thickness. Background: What is modified PVOH?.
Step 3: check the lab test reports
Ask which standard was passed, in how many days, by which lab, and whether the test covers the film you are buying. For AquaFlex film, the independent lab ARCHA S.r.l. (Pisa, Italy) reports: passed ISO 14852 in 32 days in fresh water; passed ASTM D6691 in 43 days in natural seawater, with OECD 202 ecotoxicity passed; passed ISO 14855-1 in 125 days in industrial composting, with every EN 13432 item compliant.
These are lab test reports, not labels: valid references under ISO and ASTM standards that most competitors on this material technology do not reach. For food contact, SGS reports exist for AquaFlex B-CWS film, and Eurofins reports for the L-BAR and L-OPV coatings on cardboard; ask for the report that matches your grade and use. An SGS REACH test exists for an AquaFlex PVA bag. How to read each test: Does PVOH film really biodegrade?.
Step 4: ask about shelf life and storage
Storage stability decides how much stock you can hold. Standard compostable plastics typically have a shelf life of about 12 months from manufacture, and some suppliers advise using finished film within six months. AquaFlex retained samples, kept in normal storage conditions, have stayed stable for more than five years. That is an observation from our sample library rather than a formal aging study, and buyers who visit the factory can see the samples.
Storage rule: keep goods away from liquid water. Humidity and high heat are not an issue; use carton liners if water contact is a risk.
Step 5: MOQ, capacity and lead time
| Item | PVA PRO |
|---|---|
| Minimum order (MOQ) | 500 kg |
| Production capacity | 200 tons per month |
| Factory | Long Hau Extended Industrial Park, Tay Ninh, Vietnam, shared with GPS PLAS |
| AquaFlex paper lead time | 15 to 30 days |
Vertical integration, from raw material formulation to finished custom films, shortens lead times for brands sourcing in Vietnam. Why Vietnam: a new sourcing alternative.
Step 6: run samples on your own line
Tell us the application, technical requirements and product dimensions, we will support samples for your review. We usually start with a sample run on the customer's own line before quoting volume, because packing speed, sealing and storage conditions differ from one factory to the next.
- Seal strength on your sealing equipment.
- Dissolution time at your real water temperature.
- Print and transparency against your brand standards.
- Behaviour in your warehouse and shipping conditions.
Step 7: qualify the supplier
Check who owns the material technology and who makes the film. PVA PRO is Vietnam's first modified PVA (PVOH) manufacturer and the first in Vietnam to produce PVOH film and packaging, with AquaFlex as Vietnam's first modified PVOH resin. Recognition includes TECHFEST Finalist 2021-2023, i-star 2023, the Ho Chi Minh City Innovation Award 2025 and Vietnam Top Brand 2025. Buyers are welcome to visit the factory.
Common sourcing mistakes
- Choosing by price per kilo only. Thickness, yield and the right grade change the real cost per package.
- Testing a sample in the lab but not on the line. Sealing and packing speed only show up on your equipment.
- Accepting a claim without a report. "Biodegradable" means little without the standard, the days and the lab.
- Using a report for the wrong product. A test on one grade or a coating does not cover a different grade or a laminate.
- Forgetting storage. Plan for how long stock will sit in your warehouse, and keep it away from liquid water.
- Ordering too much too early. Start at the 500 kg minimum on one product line, then scale.
What to put in your request for quote
| Field | Example | Why we ask |
|---|---|---|
| Company, country, role | Brand owner in Germany | Shapes documents and delivery |
| Form of interest | Film and packaging, resin, liquid coating or paper | Each form has its own data sheet |
| Application | Folded T-shirt bag | Sets strength and options |
| Water temperature in use | None in use; or a 60°C wash | Selects cold, warm or hot grade |
| Size and thickness | 30 x 40 cm, 40 µm | Drives cost per bag and strength |
| 2 colours, one side | Up to 4 colours available | |
| Monthly volume | 2 tons | Plans production against 200 t/month capacity |
The figures in the example column are illustrations, not a recommendation. Prices are quoted per project, not published.
Documents to collect before the first order
- Data sheet for the exact grade, with dissolution temperature.
- ARCHA lab test reports, with report numbers 22410332 (seawater, Dec 17, 2024) and 22311632 (industrial compost, Feb 29, 2024), plus the fresh water report of Nov 20, 2023.
- SGS REACH test on the AquaFlex PVA bag, if you sell in the EU.
- Food contact report for your grade or coating, if relevant.
- PFAS-free declaration, based on a third-party lab in Italy.
- MSDS and COA, on request.
Keep the report numbers and dates in your supplier file. When a retailer or an auditor asks how a claim on your pack is supported, your compliance team can point to the exact report, the lab and the film it covered, instead of a general statement from a brochure.
If you buy resin rather than film
Converters who run their own blown film or extrusion coating lines buy AquaFlex resin. It ships in 30 kg sealed bags in cartons, or custom bulk packing. Store pellets below 30°C and below 50% humidity, away from sun and water, until processing. Check the MFI on the data sheet against your line: about 1.8 to 2 g/10 min for B-CWS, 3 to 4 for B-WWS and 5.5 to 6.5 for B-HWS, and 13 to 14.5 for the EX-CWS extrusion coating grade. We support the first trial on your own line before volume quotes.
The checklist
- Application, format, size, thickness, print and water temperature written down.
- Grade data sheet received for the exact grade and thickness.
- Lab test reports: standard, days, lab and report number, on the film itself.
- Food contact or REACH report, if your use needs it.
- Storage stability and storage rules confirmed.
- MOQ (500 kg) and capacity (200 t/month) fit your volumes.
- Sample run done on your own line.
- Factory visit or video call planned.
Ready to start? Request a sample, or read the AquaFlex film page and the applications guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for AquaFlex PVOH film?
500 kg.
How long can AquaFlex be stored?
Our retained samples have stayed stable for more than five years in normal storage conditions. Standard compostable plastics typically have a shelf life of about 12 months from manufacture.
Can I test PVOH film before ordering?
Yes. We send samples with the matching data sheet and lab test reports, and we usually run a sample on your own line before quoting volume.
Is PVOH film safe for food contact?
SGS food contact reports exist for AquaFlex B-CWS film, and Eurofins reports for the L-BAR and L-OPV coatings on cardboard. Ask for the report that matches your grade and use before relying on it.
What is PVA PRO's production capacity?
200 tons per month.
What information should I send to get a quote?
The product to pack, the format (roll, tube or bag), size, thickness, print, the water temperature at which the film should dissolve, and your expected monthly volume. We reply with a grade proposal, the data sheet and samples.
Can I visit the factory?
Yes. The factory is in Long Hau Extended Industrial Park, Tay Ninh, Vietnam. Buyers can see production and the retained sample library.
Are prices published?
No. Prices depend on grade, size, thickness, print and volume, so we quote per project once we have your request.
Which documents come with samples?
The data sheet for the grade, and the lab test reports that match your use: ARCHA biodegradation and compost reports, SGS REACH and food contact reports, Eurofins coating reports and the PFAS-free declaration. MSDS and COA are available on request.
How should I store PVOH film in my warehouse?
Keep it away from liquid water and use carton liners if water contact is a risk. Humidity and high heat are not an issue for AquaFlex film.
Sources
AquaFlex figures: PVA PRO data and independent lab test reports by ARCHA S.r.l. (Pisa, Italy). These are lab test results.
