At EPEA, we differentiate PVC products depending on end-of-use scenarios. "PVC -" (PVC minus) products most likely end up in incineration or landfilling, or they contaminate other materials, impacting their recovery. "PVC +" (PVC plus) products, in contrast, can be managed. PVC plus products are stationary and easy to track, like window frames, pipes, and flooring used in the construction and infrastructure sectors.

Why do we need PVC in the first place if it comes at such risks during recycling? For this, we need to broaden the scope to a different industrial chemical that is used in high volumes globally: caustic soda. Caustic soda is produced from sodium chloride (table salt). Under production, huge amounts of chlorine gas are created. This gas needs to be converted to stable and useful products, for which PVC plus products are the best fit.

Problematically, a significant portion of the caustic soda demand originates from PVC minus products and other chlorinated chemicals ending up in incineration. PVC forms hydrogen chloride, a strong acid, when burned, and the fumes need to be neutralized with caustic soda. Its production then creates chlorine gas, which looks for its way again. This cycle can only be broken when 1. no PVC and no chlorine beyond PVC end up in incineration and 2. the global demand for caustic soda is decreased to a non-reducible minimum.

We summarized our position in the Charter for Responsible Use of PVC and Chlorine Management. Are you interested in joining the community of companies supporting the distinction between PVC plus products worth being promoted as problem solvers and PVC minus products requiring being phased out?

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