12 Good Reasons to Specify Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride or PVC is often referred to as just 'vinyl' finds widespread use in construction, transport, electrical and medical applications.
For further information on PVC visit www.pvcexplained.co.uk
PVC is hard to beat as a resource efficient materials and below you will see 12 good reasons why you should specify it for your project......
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- Light, tough and long lasting - it is ideal for construction applications
- But with high clarity and excellent organoleptic properties (no transfer of taint to food) it is equally suited for use in short term applications such as specialised packaging.
PVC preserves fossil fuels
Made of 57% common salt and only 43% oil, it takes less non-renewable fossil fuel to make than any other commodity plastic.
PVC uses less primary energy
PVC consumes less primary energy in its production than any of the other commodity plastics.
Source: Software GaBi 4 Database - PE Europe
PVC has a relatively small carbon footprint
Look at the CO2 impact equivalents for producing 1kg of PVC compared to producing 1kg of other products:
PVC delivers better value
The superior cost-to-performance ratio offered by PVC was demonstrated when Brighton & Hove Council (Housing Manageme nt Sub-Committee) estimated what using alternatives to PVC windows would cost:
- £8.5 million added to their 5 year housing programme
- over £30 million added to their housing business plan over 30 years
PVC saves more energy
PVC-based windows account for most BFRC 'A' rated Energy Efficient Windows
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PVC performs well in LCA studies
A major revision of the BRE (Building Research Establishment) Green Guide was undertaken in 2008 which led to:
- 'A' rating for Domestic Windows
- 'A+' rating for Commercial Windows
- 'A+' and 'A' ratings for a range of vinyl (PVC) floorings
- 'A+' and 'A' ratings for a number of vinyl (PVC) roofing membranes
PVC is fully recyclable
PVC reprocesses well and offers an even smaller carbon footprint once recycled into second (or third) life applications.
- Over 300,000 tonnes of post-consumer PVC are already being recycled across Europe each year
- By 2020 over 800,000 tonnes of PVC will be recycled annually
PVC keeps its promises
Between 2000 - 2010:
- a sustainable European PVC recycling system was established
- heavy metal additives were phased out
- Vinyl2010 was recognised by the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development
PVC Industry is forward thinking
A progressive new industry sustainability programme called VinylPlus has been established.
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PVC jumped the 2012 hurdle
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The information contained in this page is also available as a pocket sized leaflet. Hard copies and electronic copies for print are available on request from Matthew Davies, click here to email. |
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