Recycled PVC in Pipes Delivers up to 90% CO₂ Savings
New peer-reviewed datasets, co-financed by VinylPlus®, confirm major climate benefits for r-PVC.
The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) has released comprehensive, peer-reviewed Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) datasets for recycled PVC (r-PVC) materials used in pipe production. The project, co-financed by VinylPlus, responds directly to the needs of LCA practitioners and pipe manufacturers for reliable, European-average data on recycled PVC.
PVC pipes are a key outlet for PVC recycled in Europe, accounting for around 11% of the total 2024 uptake according to Recovinyl® recycling data. The new datasets cover the two main forms of r-PVC used in rigid pipes — micronised powder and flakes — and are based on information supplied by four dedicated recyclers across Europe.
By providing comprehensive indicators such as climate change impact, energy and water use, the datasets make it possible to clearly quantify the environmental benefits of using r-PVC in new pipe systems. Importantly, they confirm that r-PVC delivers 85–90% lower CO₂ emissions per kilogramme compared to virgin PVC.
Charlotte Röber, Managing Director at VinylPlus, said: “With these new peer-reviewed datasets, the PVC value chain can clearly demonstrate the climate benefits of using recycled PVC in pipes. They strengthen the evidence base for circularity in one of the sector’s most important applications and support our common goal of aligning industry practices with Europe’s sustainability ambitions.”
The datasets are available for free download upon request on the TEPPFA website in both Excel and ILCD formats, allowing seamless use in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and LCA software tools.
