The kinetics of calcite particles formation in the presence of soluble polyvinyl-alcohol matrix was investigated by the constant composition method. The presence of the above-mentioned polymer, induces the precipitation of this calcium carbonate polymorph at room temperature possibly through the -OH moieties. The apparent order for the crystallization process was found to be 2.25 +/- 0.16 indicative of a surface nucleation mechanism. The number of ions forming the 3D critical nucleus was found to be p=9. The surface energy of the growing phase was 28 mJ m(-2) relatively small because of imperfections, in the form of vacant sites. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.