PVA polymer is coagulated by one of the following procedures: (1) extruding an aqueous solution of PVA polymer into an aqueous solution of a dehydrating salt such as sodium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, potassium sulfate or sodium phosphate; (2) extruding an aqueous solution of PVA polymer into an aqueous solution of alkali, e.g., sodium hydroxide potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide, and (3) ex