PVC-U AND THE ENVIRONMENT0 pages

1880-07010 mt environ 2pp.qxp:MT

6/5/09

13:29

Page 1

PVC-U AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Presenting the facts about sustainability and
recyclability of PVC-U materials.

INTRODUCTION
The European PVC industry has, over recent years, initiated a number of far reaching
policies that have been incorporated into the Voluntary Commitment to the European
Commission, Vinyl 2010, demonstrating that the whole life cycle of PVC is sustainable.

POLYVINYLCHLORIDE

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

PVC is one of the most successful modern
synthetic materials. It makes excellent use of
scarce resources, is long-lasting and safe in
production, use and disposal. The effect of PVC
on health and the environment, from
manufacture to disposal, has been more
thoroughly researched than almost any other
synthetic material.

OF PVC-U

PVC-U stands for polyvinylchloride-unplasticised.
It is used in the manufacture of rigid PVC such as
❑ trunking and rainwater systems
❑ window and door profile
❑ many other building industry products
PVC-P is the plasticised form of PVC that uses
plasticisers to create flexible products:
❑ water bottles and blood bags
❑ stethoscopes and medical tubing
❑ electrical cabling
PVC-C (CPVC) is Chlorinated Polyvinylchloride.
CPVC is a thermoplastic pipe used extensively for:
❑ hot and cold water distribution systems
❑ potable water piping

❑ No harm to the environment from dioxin
emissions.
❑ 100% recyclable products mean prolonged
on-going usage.
❑ Environmental benefit from PVC-U remaining
inert in landfill.
❑ Excellent fire performance from PVC-U with
significantly less fire propagation than many
other materials.
❑ Low intrinsic (43%) oil content – only 4% of the
world’s oil is used for plastics.
❑ Easy to manage and install, PVC-U is a
lightweight and durable material.
❑ No painting or repainting is needed, ensuring a
reduced use of chemicals.
❑ No requirement for chemical treatments as
PVC-U is tough and resistant to weather and
corrosion.
❑ PVC-U has a long life cycle and less energy is
required to produce it compared with other
materials such as wood.
❑ A cost-effective and sustainable choice by
comparison with steel, copper and aluminium.

MANUFACTURE
The manufacture of PVC-U does not require the use of plasticisers
PHTHALATES

A group of chemicals designed to plasticize
products i.e. make them softer and more
flexible - bottles, blood bags, medical tubing,
electrical cables.

FACT: Phthalates are NOT included in the
manufacture of PVC-U (rigid) products.

CADMIUM

The EC ruled that the use of cadmium
based stabilisers and pigments were prohibited
after 2001.

FACT: Marshall-Tufflex has not used
cadmium-based stabilisers or pigments
since 1999.

LEAD

The European vinyl industry has committed
to the EC to completely phase out the use of
lead stabilisers and pigments by 2015.

FACT: Marshall-Tufflex already uses
lead-free formulations for mouldings
and extrusions.