Abstract: This invention relates to a thermoplastic composition based on polyvinyl alcohol, which is adapted to be subjected, as such, to the common methods of shaping in the hot condition used for thermoplastic materials, such as molding and extrusion, for the product of articles, characterized in that it is composed of a substantially dry mixture of said polyvinyl alcohol with at least one or more solid polyhydroxylated monomeric alcohols, which, as such or in admixture with each other, exhibit their main peak melting point, as determined by Differential Thermal Analysis, between 160.degree. C., and 230.degree. C.