The European PVC industry has completed the first year of its new 10 year sustainability initiative – VinylPlus (www.vinylplus.eu). Describing the achievements at its annual meeting in April, the initiative noted that despite significant challenges caused by the economic crisis, results indicate that the industry is on track to achieve the VinylPlus sustainability goals for 2020 set in 2011 following the successful completion of its predecessor Vinyl2010 – see Plasteurope.com of 15.04.2011.

Under VinylPlus, the industry has set the ambitious target of recycling 800,000 t/y of PVC in Europe by 2020. Thanks to the consolidation of collection and recycling schemes for PVC, 257,084 t was recycled in 2011, despite adverse market conditions and the decrease in volumes of PVC waste in construction.

Progress has also been made towards ensuring the sustainable use of additives. By 2011, the consumption of lead stabilisers had decreased by over 71% in the EU-27 compared to 2007 and remains on track for complete substitution by 2015. This trend has been supported by corresponding growth in the use of calcium as an alternative organic stabiliser.

Stefan Eingaertner, general manager of VinylPlus, said: “The industry remains fully committed to the targets we have set and we are encouraged by progress made in the first year of the new programme in a very difficult economic climate. However, the need for cooperation is more important than ever in these times of austerity. Reaching our goals requires active support down the PVC value chain and a policy environment across Europe which continues to incentivise the diversion of waste from landfill and demand for recycled goods."

During the annual meeting, industry leaders discussed developments in the PVC market including the growth of innovative and practical solutions, which will improve the sustainability of PVC in the coming years. The initiative said that collaboration with end users and designers will be instrumental in this.

“Innovation, creativity and forward thinking are crucial to the implementation of our voluntary commitment” said Brigitte Dero, general manager of the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM, Brussels / Belgium; www.pvc.org) and the deputy general manager of VinylPlus. “VinylPlus aims at adopting a value-chain approach based on life-cycle thinking and resource efficiency. Tools to achieve this aim include the use of renewables but also effective waste management and recycling, in line with the principle of doing more from less, which is also at the basis of the EU roadmap toward a green economy,” she added.

Several trends were identified at the meeting concerning the use of PVC in certain key sectors such as sustainable building, food packaging and innovative recycled applications. The dissemination of knowledge acquired through VinylPlus and its predecessor Vinyl2010 beyond Europe was one of the most encouraging trends, the initiative said.