A polyvinyl alcohol product having a high degree of polymerization and an intrinsic viscosity of from 1.5 dl g.sup.-1 to 3.2 dl g.sup.-1, said polyvinyl alcohol being obtained by a process which comprises saponifying a polyvinyl ester product obtained by subjecting a vinyl ester monomer to emulsion polymerization under conditions (a), (b), (c), and (d);
- wherein:
- (a) said emulsion polymerization is carried out in a medium which is water or a mixture of water and at least one member selected from the group consisting of water-soluble alcohols, water-soluble glycols, water-soluble glycerins, and water-soluble inorganic salts;
- (b) said emulsion polymerization is carried out in the presence of an emulsifier which is at least one member selected from the group consisting of nonionic emulsifiers, nonionic-anionic emulsifiers, and anionic emulsifiers;
- (c) said emulsion polymerization is carried out in the presence of an initiator which is (c1) a combination of at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroperoxides, peroxides, and peracid esters, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal ions capable of transferring one electron, or said initiator is (c2) a combination of at least one member selected from the group consisting of hydroperoxides, peroxides, and peracid esters, at least one member selected from the group consisting of metal ions capable of transferring one electron, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of reducing substances;
- (d) said emulsion polymerization being carried out at a polymerization temperature of from -60.degree. C. and up to +15.degree. C.;
- and
- obtaining a polyvinyl alcohol having an intrinsic viscosity of from 1.5 dl g.sup.-1 to 3.2 dl g.sup.-1, said intrinsic viscosity being defined as the intrinsic viscosity, as measured in acetone at 30.degree. C., of a polyvinyl acetate product obtained by saponification, followed by reacetylation, of said polyvinyl ester.