The invention describes a method for the manufacture of a plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer mixture including the steps of: introducing into a mixing reactor a polyvinyl alcohol polymer comprising homopolymeric polyvinyl alcohol or a blend thereof having a degree of hydrolysis in the range of 93% to less than 98% or more; where the plasticizer comprises two or more compounds selected from the group consisting of diglycerol, triglycerol, xylose, D-mannitol, triacetin, dipentaerythritol, 1,4-butanediol, 3,3-dimethyl-1,2-butanediol, and caprolactam; reacting the water, the plasticizer and the polyvinyl alcohol polymer in the reaction zone to form the plasticized polymer; and allowing the plasticized polyvinyl alcohol polymer to pass from the primary outlet.