The recovery of polyvinyl alcohol from the textile process waste streams is presented. Three filtration systems are described that are able to operate at 100 degrees C or above. Two systems are tubular. One uses carbon tubes to support a zirconium oxide membrane and the other uses stainless steel tubes coated with a fused titanium dioxide layer to support a zirconium hydroxide membrane. The third system described is an asymmetric polyvinyl sulfone membrane in a spiral wound configuration. All three systems have been in operation for several years displaying the successful recovery of polyvinyl alcohol. The economics of the recovery process are described. Also presented is the application of automated control to the PVA recovery process and to the recycle of bleaching rinse water to the scouring process.