PVC - the positive choice

From the home and office to the factory and leisure centre, in virtually all areas of human activity, PVC is present.

As one of the world's most versatile thermoplastics, with a wider range of uses than any other plastic material, such widespread use and acceptance is not surprising. PVC is versatile, durable, hygienic, safe and cost-effective. As such, it has significant advantages over other materials.

PVC is fundamentally a long lasting material with over 60% of its applications having a lifetime of more than 40 years. Around two thirds of all production is used in the building and construction sector. Other sectors using significant volumes of PVC are the packaging industry (for food, non-food and pharmaceutical products), in wire, cable and electrical applications and in the leisure and transport industries.

In more than 60 years of production and commercial use, PVC has contributed greatly to the development of modern life. It has also become one of the most thoroughly researched materials. Its manufacture is closely regulated and results of life cycle analyses published so far show that PVC is a safe product in its production, use and disposal.

PVC is the positive choice for many specifiers and consumers because it has many great characteristics:

• It is durable - thanks to its exceptional strength and toughness, PVC can be found in applications with life spans of many decades. 85% of PVC production is in medium to long-term applications such as wire and cables, window profiles, flooring and also pipes that can have a lifetime of up to 100 years.

• It is versatile - PVC can be either rigid or flexible and is easily processed by a number of different methods, making it suitable for a diverse range of uses.

• It is safe and hygienic - whether it is first aid in an emergency, safe treatment in a hospital free from cross infection, or confidence that our water and food are delivered to us free from hazard, PVC helps in protecting our health. PVC is also difficult to ignite and as such minimises fire hazard.

• It offers great technical advantages - PVC is fire retardant, it resists corrosion and rotting, it does not conduct electricity and is excellent for insulation, it also protects from moisture and air.

• It is innovative - PVC has always adapted well to changing needs and environments and will continue to do so thanks to the development potential of its properties.

• It saves resources and energy - PVC is produced from two natural materials, oil and salt. It is therefore less dependent on oil than other plastics, and so makes better use of the earth's finite resources. PVC also saves energy and costs at all stages from manufacture through use and on to disposal.

• It is recyclable - PVC products are recyclable and many are already being recycled, like bottles, pipes, windows, cables, flooring, and transformed into new useful products.

• It is cost-effective - PVC is inherently a low cost material that adds to all its advantages.

Applications

PVC is used in a wider range of applications than any other plastics. But where can we find it? Here are just a few of the major uses of PVC.

• construction - window frames and doors, drinking water pipes, guttering, cables, flooring, wallcoverings, roller shutters, seating etc

• medical - pharmaceutical packaging, blood and plasma bags, tuding, infusion kits etc

• electrical - computers, power tools, electrical cords, telephones including cables, component housing etc

• automotive - carpets, sun visors, handbrake and gearbox lever parts, window encapsulation, dashboards, seat coatings, door panels, insulation, under body, grommets etc

• packaging - mineral water bottles, bottle caps, cosmetics cases, detergent bottles, plastic cups etc
  

• industrial - cables, pipes, building construction materials
  
  
• infrastructure - pipeline installations, insulation materials
  
  
• consumer goods - credit cards, bags, toys computers, electronics, clothing and footwear, leisure and sports equipment, furniture etc