Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (CAS 9003-39-8), commercially known as povidone or PVP, is a synthetic water-soluble polymer used in pharmaceutical, food, and personal care manufacturing.

Where is Polyvinylpyrrolidone used?

• Pharmaceutical: tablet binder and solubilizer improving bioavailability of poorly soluble actives in solid dosage forms
• Personal care: film-forming agent in hair sprays, styling gels, and contact lens solutions
• Food: E1201 clarifying and stabilizing agent in beverages, notably wine and beer processing
• Textile and paper: improves dye uptake and surface adhesion during finishing operations
• PVP is a standard tablet binder in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Wet granulation with povidone K25/30/90 generally gives harder granules with better flow properties than other binders.
• In liquid and semi-liquid dosage forms (syrups and soft gelatin capsules), polyvinylpyrrolidone helps increase the solubility of drugs and acts as a recrystallization inhibitor.
• It acts as a film former and moisturizer in sunscreens.
• In the food industry, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone is used to clarify wine, beer, and juices by removing tannins and polyphenols that cause turbidity.

Good to know: Recognized grades include USP, Ph. Eur., FCC, and technical. K-value indicates viscosity and chain length.

Formulation notes

• As a binder, polyvinylpyrrolidone is used at a concentration range of 0.5% to 5% by weight.
• In paracetamol tablets containing 4% povidone K90, drug release was faster compared to tablets with gelatin or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as binder.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone is compatible with other coating agents such as HPMC or PEG, allowing formulators to create sophisticated multilayer systems for controlled drug delivery.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer cross-links with polyacids such as polyacrylic or tannic acid to form complexes that are insoluble in water or alcohol but soluble in dilute alkali.

Typical specification

• Polyvinylpyrrolidone is available in different molecular weight grades: PVP K12, K15, K17, K25, K30, K60, K90 and cross-linked crospovidone.
• PVP K30 has a K-value of 27-35.
• PVP K30 has a water content of max. 5.0%.
• Residual N-vinylpyrrolidone monomer in polyvinylpyrrolidone does not exceed 0.001% (10 ppm).

Regulatory status

• According to international cosmetic ingredient review groups, polyvinylpyrrolidone is considered safe at concentrations used in personal care products; it is non-irritating and non-sensitizing.
• When used in food supplements, polyvinylpyrrolidone is not subject to a maximum level restriction.
• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this chemical for many uses and it is generally recognized as safe.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone is listed in Part II of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Polyvinylpyrrolidone is supplied mainly as a white to yellowish-white hygroscopic powder.
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone should be stored in dry, cool and well-ventilated closed areas, away from heat, sparks and flames.
• When dry, it is a light, flaky hygroscopic powder that easily absorbs up to 40% of its weight in atmospheric water.

Frequently asked questions about Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Which grades are suitable for parenteral preparations?

High-purity pharmaceutical grades such as PVP K-17 or K-25 are particularly suitable for parenteral preparations due to their low endotoxin levels and high clarity.

What is the function of crospovidone in tablets?

Crospovidone is used as a superdisintegrant in orally disintegrating tablets, pharmaceutical tablets, vitamin tablets, food supplements and veterinary tablets.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.