Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing polyvinyl alcohol shaped bodies involving thermoplastic processing of at least one polymer (A), of at least one softener and, optionally, of water and/or other additives, whereby polymer (A) contains: a.) 15.0 to 99.9 wt. % structural units of formula (1); b.) 0.0 to 50.0 wt. % structural units of formula (2), and; c.) 0.0 to 50.0 wt. % structural units of formula (3), each with regard to the total weight of polymer (A), whereby radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are defined according to the description. The method is characterized in that polymer (A) and the softener are placed into the extruder without being mixed beforehand and that the quantity of water is less than 2 wt. % with regard to polymer (A). The invention also relates to the polyvinyl alcohol shaped bodies, which can be obtained by using the method, and to their use.