water - degradable synthetic resin compositions substantially composed of a 3 - component mixture of a . one or more copolymers of an alkenic unsaturated monomer and maleic anhydride b . one or more hydrophilic polymers of vinyl esters of lower aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and / or copolymers thereof with other vinyl monomers and c . one or more compounds having the general formula och 2 oco . the compounds are mixed by dissolving them in a solvent and the foils or articles are produced therefrom .