Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composites with 10, 20, 33, and 50 wt % of coconut shell (CCS) powder were prepared by aqueous mixing. The solution was casted as films and tested for physicomechanical properties such as tensile, tear, burst strengths, density, moisture content, moisture vapor transmission rate, moisture analysis; solubility resistance in water, 5% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, sunflower oil; swelling characteristics in 50% ethanol, sunflower oil; and thermal characteristics by differential scanning calorimetry. The PVA/CCS powder composite films show enhancement in elastic modulus, degradability, solubility resistance in water, 5% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and moisture resistance. However, the introduction of CCS powder varies the tensile strength and affects percentage of elongation, tear and burst strengths, moisture content, density, and swelling capacity. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.