PVP K30 (Povidone K30) is the mid-range grade of the povidone family — molecular weight ≈ 45,000–58,000 Da — offering the best balance of binding strength and rapid solubility for pharmaceutical and specialty applications.
Product · PVP K-Series
PVP K30 (Povidone K30) — Multi-Application Povidone Grade
Technical Specifications
| K-value (Fikentscher) | 27.0 – 32.4 |
|---|---|
| pH (1% aqueous solution) | 3.0 – 5.0 |
| Moisture content | ≤ 5.0% |
| Molecular weight | ≈ 45,000 – 58,000 Da |
| Peroxide (as H₂O₂) | ≤ 400 ppm |
| Typical use concentration | 3 – 6% (w/w) |
| CAS Number | 9003-39-8 |
K-value (Fikentscher)
27.0 – 32.4
pH (1% aqueous solution)
3.0 – 5.0
Moisture content
≤ 5.0%
Molecular weight
≈ 45,000 – 58,000 Da
Peroxide (as H₂O₂)
≤ 400 ppm
Typical use concentration
3 – 6% (w/w)
CAS Number
9003-39-8
Key Applications
Tablet Binder & Film Former
Strong cohesive binding in wet granulation and direct compression, plus clear, flexible films for tablet and cosmetic coatings.
Solubiliser & Dispersant
Improves apparent solubility of actives; effective pigment and suspension dispersant.
Membrane Pore-Forming Agent
Widely used as a hydrophilic pore-forming additive in PES, PVDF, and PAN hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane fabrication via phase inversion processes.
Lithium Battery Cathode Slurry Dispersant
Disperses conductive agents (e.g., carbon nanotubes) and improves precursor uniformity in LFP and NCM cathode slurry.
Cosmetic Film Former
Forms clear, flexible, resettable films in hair styling products — gels, mousses, and aerosol sprays — while also stabilizing cosmetic emulsions and suspensions.
Tablet Binder & Film Former
As a tablet binder, PVP K30 provides strong cohesive binding in wet granulation and direct compression at a typical 3–6% use level, with rapid dissolution and low friability. It is one of the most widely specified povidone grades in oral solid dosage forms. As a film former, K30 forms clear, flexible films with good adhesion, making it a practical choice for tablet coatings and cosmetic film applications with a resettable, low-tack finish.
Solubiliser & Dispersant
As a solubiliser, PVP K30 improves the apparent solubility of poorly soluble actives in solid dispersions. Its moderate viscosity also makes it an effective pigment dispersant and suspension aid without over-thickening the formulation.
Membrane Pore-Forming Agent
In hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane manufacturing, PVP K30 functions as a hydrophilic pore-forming additive in non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) and thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. Its hydrophilicity promotes migration to the membrane surface during phase separation, shaping pore structure and improving hydrophilicity of PES, PVDF, and PAN membrane systems. K30 is often used in combination with lower K-value grades (such as K15/K17) to fine-tune pore size distribution and water flux.
Read our full technical comparison:PVP K30 flux and fouling resistance data in hollow-fiber membrane testing →
Cosmetic Applications
PVP K30 is one of the most widely used film-forming polymers in hair styling formulations — gels, mousses, and aerosol sprays — where it forms a clear, flexible, low-tack film on hair that provides hold without stiffness or flaking, and remains easily resettable with water or brushing. K30 also functions as a stabilizer in cosmetic emulsions and suspensions, helping prevent phase separation and maintain consistent texture over shelf life.
Lithium Battery Cathode Slurry Dispersant
Used as a dispersant in lithium-ion battery cathode slurry — particularly for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and NCM cathode systems — to disperse conductive agents such as carbon nanotubes and improve precursor particle uniformity during co-precipitation synthesis. Well-dispersed slurry directly supports coating consistency, discharge capacity, and cycling stability.
Specification tailoring:Specification (purity, metal ion content, moisture, ash content) can be tailored to your application's requirements upon order — pharmaceutical, cosmetic, membrane, and battery applications each call for different processing priorities. Let us know your intended use and we'll recommend the appropriate specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does PVP K30 differ from lower (K15/K17) and higher (K90) K-value grades?
K-value tracks molecular weight and viscosity. K30 (MW ≈ 45,000–58,000) sits in the medium range: high enough to form a strong binder film and stable at 3–6% use levels, yet low enough to stay freely soluble and fast-dissolving. Lower grades give lower viscosity and weaker binding; K90 delivers far higher viscosity but slower dissolution, and is usually reserved for thickening or high-viscosity dispersion work.
Does PVP K30 meet USP, EP, and JP pharmacopoeia requirements?
Yes. Our PVP K30 is manufactured to USP/NF, EP, JP, and BP monograph requirements. A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis is issued with every shipment, and DMF/CEP references are available on request to support regulatory filings.
What is the recommended use level of PVP K30?
For tablet binding via wet granulation, 3–6% (w/w) is the typical working range. Film-coating, solubilisation, and dispersion applications generally sit within the same band — we can advise a starting point matched to your formulation and process.
What supporting documentation do you provide with PVP K30?
Every shipment includes a batch-specific CoA covering K-value, pH, moisture, residual peroxide, and microbial limits. ISO 9001/14001 certificates, MSDS, and TDS are supplied as standard; pharmacopoeia compliance statements and DMF/CEP references are available on request.
Can PVP K30 be used in membrane manufacturing?
Yes. PVP K30 is a widely used pore-forming additive in hollow-fiber ultrafiltration membrane production (PES, PVDF, PAN systems), typically combined with lower K-value grades to optimize pore structure and flux performance.
Is PVP K30 used in lithium battery manufacturing?
Yes, PVP K30 is commonly used as a dispersant in lithium-ion battery cathode slurry (LFP and NCM systems), helping disperse conductive additives and improve precursor uniformity during synthesis.
Is PVP K30 suitable for cosmetic formulations?
Yes. PVP K30 is a standard ingredient in hair styling products (gels, mousses, sprays) for its film-forming properties, and is also used as a stabilizer in cosmetic emulsions and suspensions.