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Povidone

Povidone suppliers and sourcing guide

Povidone is a water-soluble polymer of N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone made by free-radical polymerization and sold as a white to off-white powder or as solutions. Grades are named by K-value, which reflects average molecular weight; K25, K30 and K90 are common. Tablet makers buy it as a wet-granulation binder and film former, and it is also used as a dispersant and stabilizer in liquid vitamin concentrates and as a clarifying agent in beverages.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Polyvinylpyrrolidone · PVP · Povidone K30 · E1201
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of povidone

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Low K-value grades

    Grades such as K12 and K17 with low viscosity, used as solubilizers and in liquids.

  • K25 to K30

    The standard binder grades for wet granulation and tablet film coats.

  • High K-value grades

    K90 and similar grades with high viscosity, used where a stronger binder or thicker solution is needed.

  • Copovidone

    A related copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, sold as a separate excipient for dry binding.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
IR spectrum and color reactions per the monograph.
K-value
Calculated from the relative viscosity of a solution, reported against the nominal grade range.
Nitrogen content (assay)
Nitrogen by Kjeldahl or combustion on a dry basis.
Water
Water by Karl Fischer; povidone is strongly hygroscopic.
Impurities
Residual vinylpyrrolidone, 2-pyrrolidone, peroxides, hydrazine and aldehydes by HPLC, GC or titration, against monograph limits.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the supplier specification or the buyer's own limits.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry place, because povidone absorbs moisture quickly and can cake. Peroxide levels can rise with age and exposure to air, so shelf life and retest are set by the supplier and peroxides are worth checking on older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

K-value and peroxide content vary between lots and affect binder strength and the stability of sensitive actives. Record K-value, water and peroxides per lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Povidone suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking povidone suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of povidone can brands buy?

Common forms include low K-value grades, k25 to K30, high K-value grades and copovidone. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for povidone include?

Expect identity, k-value, nitrogen content (assay), water, impurities and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should povidone be stored?

Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry place, because povidone absorbs moisture quickly and can cake. Peroxide levels can rise with age and exposure to air, so shelf life and retest are set by the supplier and peroxides are worth checking on older stock.

What is the regulatory status of povidone?

21 CFR 173.55 permits polyvinylpyrrolidone as a tableting adjuvant in vitamin and mineral concentrates in tablet form, in an amount not to exceed good manufacturing practice. The same section permits it as a stabilizer, bodying agent and dispersant in vitamin and mineral concentrates in liquid form. 21 CFR 173.55 specifies a polymer with an average molecular weight of 40,000 and maximum unsaturation of 1 percent, except for the grade used in beer. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists povidone with non-medicinal purposes including binder, disintegrant, dispersing agent and film former.

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