PVC Awareness

Advantages of PVC
Last year once again saw solid progress by the PVC industry within the economic, environmental and social principles of sustainable development, the PVC promotion organization Vinyl 2010 reported in its 2004 Progress Report.

Vinyl 2010 puts the PVC industry's voluntary commitment into practice. Signed in 2000, it is a 10-year plan to deliver continuous improvement in product stewardship across the PVC lifecycle. Principal elements of the pledge are to cut raw material and energy consumption in manufacturing; minimise the environmental impact of resin production; develop a comprehensive waste management strategy; ensure that all plasticizers can be safely used; and assess potential risks linked to lead as stabiliser while working toward replacement by 2015. The industry also committed to cease using cadmium stabilisers, which has been achieved.

Implementation through Vinyl 2010 emphasises clear recycling targets; significant investment in scientific and technical research; increasing practical knowledge; and transparency through annual reports and by the active involvement of external stakeholders.

New Challenges
According to the report, EU enlargement last May brought new challenges for sustainable development. Vinyl 2010 continued its work with the PVC history in EU accession countries to raise health, safety and environmental standards within the framework of sustainable development.

Meanwhile, expenditure by Vinyl 2010, including EuPC (The European Plastics Converters) and its members, amounted to €4.4 million in 2003, down slightly from €4.5 million the year before. Expenditure on waste management and other projects is expected to increase substantially during the current year, said David Thompson, chairman of Vinyl 2010.

It is particularly encouraging to note Vinyl 2010's achievement of the 2003 target to recycle 25 per cent of collectable, available PVC waste from window profiles, roofing membranes, pipes and fittings. "This represents a true success for Vinyl 2010 and it demonstrates that we are fully on track to achieve the 50 per cent objectives in 2005" said Thompson.

"Four years have passed since the establishment of Vinyl 2010 and once again I am pleased to report steady progress toward our long-term goals of sustainability. The challenges we set for ourselves continue to demand commitment, investment and much hard work. Vinyl 2010 is a huge project in scope, depth and ambition and we are now seeing solid results across the many different undertakings and projects," said Thompson.

Other positive results come from the field of mechanical and feedstock recycling, where the Vinyloop®, RGS-90/Stigsnaes and Dow/BSL technologies showed a promising potential to increase volumes of recycling, he added.

Working with Trade Unions

"Our continuing work with the trade union organisation EMCEF aims to take advantage of the voluntary commitment approach as an efficient way of transferring best practice to the acceding EU member states, avoiding complex legislative processes. We are preparing for the challenge of integrating the EU accession countries into building a sustainable future for European industry. Several meetings were held in these states, including one involving trade unions, to help raise health, safety and environmental standards to higher levels, " Thompson noted.

Another landmark in 2003 was the establishment of a Monitoring Committee with the participation of senior Commission officials and representatives of the European Parliament. "The importance of 'keeping under continual review the progress towards achieving the voluntary commitment' was emphasised by European Commissioner Margot Wallström, and we are pleased that the Monitoring Committee has for the first time reviewed Vinyl 2010's progress report," said Thompson, adding, "Vinyl 2010 is still waiting for a communication from the European Commission and everyone in the industry would welcome policy clarity to facilitate progress. With or without this, however, Vinyl 2010 will continue to put into practice the commitment of the industry chain toward sustainability."

However, there remain many challenges to overcome; challenges that Thompson said Vinyl 2010 is taking on with vigour and enthusiasm to further protect the environment, create social advancement and increase economic wealth within the PVC industry for the ultimate benefit of the citizens of Europe.