ColaLee Announces 10%-30% Price Increase on Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Fiber Products Starting August 1

On July 22, Kuraray Co., Ltd. announced that due to rising production costs, it has decided to adjust the prices of its PVA fiber products by 10% to 30%, effective from August 1, 2025.

The main reason for this price adjustment is the impact of multiple cost pressures, including:

Kuraray stated that although the company has made efforts to absorb some of the costs through internal optimization, the overall increase has exceeded its capacity to bear. This price adjustment aims to ensure stable product supply while improving profitability, in order to maintain long-term market competitiveness.

Colleli emphasizes that the company will continue to optimize production processes to minimize the impact of future cost fluctuations on customers, while ensuring product quality and supply stability.

PVA fiber is a synthetic fiber made by dissolving polyvinyl alcohol in water and spinning it using either dry or wet spinning methods. PVA fiber treated with formaldehyde can be converted into polyvinyl formal fiber, commercially known as Vinylon. Due to its unique hydrophilicity, strength, and chemical resistance, it has irreplaceable applications in many fields.

At present, the main types of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) specialty fibers with large production volumes in China are high-strength and high-modulus PVA fibers and water-soluble PVA fibers. Among them, high-strength and high-modulus PVA fibers feature high strength and Young's modulus, low elongation, resistance to acids and alkalis, as well as solvent resistance. They have good affinity and bonding properties with substrates such as cement and gypsum, and are non-toxic, non-polluting, and harmless to humans, making them a green building material with broad prospects. Water-soluble PVA fiber is a functional, differentiated fiber with an ideal water-soluble temperature, strength, and elongation. It also has excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and dry heat, and after dissolving in water, it is odorless and non-toxic, making it an outstanding green and environmentally friendly product.

• In the textile industry, as a textile fiber, vinylon is widely used in clothing, industrial fabrics, and other fields. Especially when blended with natural fibers such as cotton and linen, it can significantly enhance the wear resistance and dimensional stability of the fabric.

• In the field of construction, vinylon fiber is an ideal material for reinforcing concrete, mortar, and asphalt, effectively improving the materials' crack resistance, impact resistance, and durability.

• Non-woven Fabrics: In the fields of medical and health care, agriculture, packaging, and other non-woven fabric applications, vinylon also plays an important role.

• Fishing nets and lines, as well as paper reinforcement, have wide applications in other fields.

Therefore, as an important participant in the vinylon market, Kureha's adjustment of its pricing strategy is bound to have a ripple effect on downstream industries.

As one of the global giants in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber production, Kuraray’s price increases often trigger a chain reaction within the industry. Although other major producers have not yet issued explicit price hike announcements, the overall trend in the global PVA market suggests that the likelihood of price increases is rising.

• Raw material cost pressures are widespread: Similar to the difficulties faced by Kuraray, global PVA producers generally face cost pressures from price fluctuations of upstream raw materials such as acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM).

• Rising supply chain and logistics costs: The strain on global supply chains and the increase in logistics costs have also brought additional burdens to major manufacturers.

• Market Demand Growth: According to a market analysis report, the global polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) market size is continuously growing and is expected to reach USD 1.265 billion by 2025. The main driving forces are the increasing demand in the fields of biodegradable polymers, pharmaceutical packaging, and water-soluble films. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, the booming development in the textile, fishery, and construction industries will further boost the demand for polyvinyl alcohol fibers.

Under the influence of multiple factors, other polyvinyl alcohol fiber manufacturers are also likely to announce similar price increase measures in the near future or the coming months to cope with the continuously rising production costs and maintain their own profitability.

In response to the upcoming wave of price increases, relevant companies can consider the following strategies:

• Optimize procurement strategy: establish long-term relationships with suppliers, lock in prices, or reduce costs through bulk purchasing.

• Enhance production efficiency: Introduce more advanced production equipment and technology, reduce energy consumption and waste, and improve production efficiency.

• Enhance research and development innovation: Develop higher value-added products to improve product competitiveness, thereby alleviating some of the pressure from rising costs.

• Expand a diversified supply chain: Reduce dependence on a single supplier and disperse procurement risks.

• Actively communicate with customers: Inform them of price increases in advance, seek their understanding and support, and work together to address market changes.