The invention relates to a polymer blend comprising 15 to 70 Wt. % of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and/or of a PVOH copolymer as well as 30 to 85 Wt. % of a further polymer, to a method for preparing a polymer blend, to the use of a polymer blend for producing a packaging material and to a packaging material. The packaging material obtained from the polymer blend is characterized in particular by a low gas permeability and can be produced by means of cost-effective methods.