PVC’s credentials

Polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, is one of the most widely used polymers in the world. Due to its versatile nature, PVC is used extensively across a broad range of industrial, technical and everyday applications from window profiles and pipes to credit cards and blood bags.

Made from salt (57%) and oil (43%), PVC was first produced commercially in the late 1920s after additives were blended into this mixture to create a plastic which quickly became popular for its flexible, durable and cost-effective qualities.

PVC has always been regarded as a resource efficient material due the long-lasting nature of most of its applications. It contributes to make our lives safer, more comfortable and more enjoyable. In addition, few other materials can match its positive cost-performance ratio.

PVC brings important benefits to products and applications in areas as diverse as construction, automobile manufacturing, medical devices, electronics and electrical equipment, packaging and fashion. Whether it is rigid or flexible, PVC helps to make cars lighter and resistant against corrosion, it enables windows to last longer, allows fresh water delivery through the use of durable piping, and stores blood to save and improve people's lives.

Vinyl applications can perform effectively for much longer than alternative materials . Their life-span can extend to over 60 years in the case of cables, pipes and window profiles. In addition, PVC products need minimal maintenance, and hence very limited additional consumption of energy, raw materials and chemicals is necessary to ensure their continued functionality. As a result, PVC has the advantage of remaining in use for a long period before it enters into the waste chain

For further information, please visit www.pvc.org