Kuraray Europe GmbH Sustainability Blog The ground under our feet
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Soil is a limited resource. What’s more, it only regenerates slowly. It can take many centuries for just one centimeter of soil to form. That means it’s especially important to protect the ground under our feet: Without healthy soils, there can be no food security, no biodiversity, no effective climate protection. Sustainable agriculture – from sowing to harvest – is therefore vital to make sure soil remains fertile and we can meet the growing demand for food. Innovative materials can help secure harvest yields, conserve resources, and reduce the loss of food and animal feed. Products from Kuraray play an important part in that.
At a rough estimate*, about 24 billion tonnes of fertile soil are lost every year, partly due to erosion, the depletion of nutrients, and soil sealing. Overuse and climate change also reduce the organic content of soil and impair its quality. Action to protect and maintain healthy soils is therefore extremely important.
Sustainable agriculture is key to that. As well as preventing damage, it enables damaged soils to regenerate and therefore contributes to climate protection and carbon sequestration.
That requires smart strategies for irrigation and soil enhancement, erosion protection, and precision fertilization. Combined with innovative, eco-friendly materials, such strategies result in more efficient, climate-resilient agriculture that protects the soil. One example is polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), which is already used in many sustainable agricultural practices.
* Evaluate Land to Halt Annual Loss of 24 Billion Tonnes of Fertile Soil, Expert Panel Says
PVOH is a synthetic polymer produced by saponification of polyvinyl acetate. Special features: PVOH is soluble in water, has good biodegradability in suitable conditions, forms stable, flexible films, and is resistant to many organic solvents.
Kuraray assumed a pioneering role early on in the development of PVOH, starting from a small pilot plant in Japan in the 1950s and growing to its present position as a global market leader. Kuraray produces high-quality polyvinyl alcohol under the brand name KURARAY POVAL™. This product has a low ash content and a low concentration of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). The products recommended for agricultural use have undergone extensive toxicological testing and are authorized for use under the applicable food contact standards.
»KURARAY POVAL™ combines performance with good environmental compatibility, making it a strong partner for sustainable agriculture.«
Joris Bohets
Market Development Manager, Kuraray Europe GmbH
PVOH is one of the few vinyl polymers that are water-soluble and biodegradable by microorganisms in water. That includes KURARAY POVAL™. Depending on the specifications (degree of hydrolysis, degree of polymerization, grade) and ambient conditions, biodegradability of around 100 percent is possible.
The products recommended for agricultural applications meet the requirements of EU Regulation No. 2023/2055. Since their solubility in water is greater than 2 grammes per liter, under the EU definition they are not classified as synthetic polymer microparticles (“microplastics”). That gives producers are reliable basis for planning. And for the environment and agriculture, it means there is a high-performance material that can be integrated effectively into natural cycles.
Kuraray has also established an ISCC PLUS-certified supply chain for its vinyl acetate products at four production sites in Europe and the United States. That includes KURARAY POVAL™. ISCC certification is reliable evidence of sustainable, transparent, and responsible practices along the global supply chain.
The ground under our feet – both literally and figuratively – is an asset we need to protect. Healthy soils do not simply protect food supply, they also preserve the diversity of nature and the climate for future generations.
Innovative materials such as KURARAY POVAL™ can help conserve resources and make agriculture more efficient and more sustainable – which maintains the quality of soil in the long term.
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