Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride. Used in window profiles, pressure pipe, and rigid sheet. Suspension grades dominate Europe.
European PVC capacity totals roughly 5.5 million tonnes per year (rigid + flexible combined), led by INOVYN (INEOS), Vestolit, Vynova, Kem One, and SCG/Cires. Rigid PVC (PVC-U) takes around 70% of total volume — pipe (sewer, drainage, conduit), profiles (windows, sidings), rigid sheet, and bottle. Window profile is the single largest application across Europe.
Suspension-grade PVC dominates supply for rigid applications. K-value (a measure of molecular weight) defines processability: K57–K60 for injection molding, K65–K68 for pipe and profile extrusion, K70+ for plasticized formulations. Most rigid converters specify K65 or K67 from a familiar formulation house.
PVC follows the European Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) contract, which itself tracks ethylene plus chlorine economics. Chlorine pricing is set by chlor-alkali balance — caustic soda is the byproduct, and caustic demand swings drive chlorine availability and PVC margins by hundreds of euros per tonne.
Watch ICIS PVC suspension-grade weekly. The PVC-VCM-ethylene cost stack reveals whether margin pressure sits with the chlor-alkali producer or the PVC compounder. European producers run at 75–85% utilization in normal years; sub-70% triggers force majeure declarations and price spikes.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world. Rigid PVC (PVC-U) is the unplasticised form used for window frames, water and sewer pipes, rainwater goods, cladding, and rigid sheet. Flexible PVC (PVC-P) contains plasticisers that make it soft and is used for cables, flooring, hoses and medical tubing. PVC is the third-most-produced plastic in Europe by volume after PE and PP, with roughly 5 million tonnes per year of capacity.
Modern PVC sold in Europe is safe for its intended use. Rigid PVC contains no plasticisers and is approved for potable water (EN 1452) and food contact (EU 10/2011) where appropriate. Flexible PVC has shifted away from problematic phthalate plasticisers (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP — all REACH-restricted as SVHC) toward DOTP, DINP and bio-based DEHA. Lead stabilisers were voluntarily phased out by the European industry in 2015 under VinylPlus.
Yes. The European VinylPlus programme has recycled over 9 million tonnes of post-consumer PVC since 2000, focused on profiles (window frames), pipes, flooring and cables. PVC carries the resin identification code 3 — kerbside recycling acceptance varies by country but window-frame and pipe take-back schemes are widespread. The main barrier is contamination of PE/PP recyclate streams; PVC bottles in clear-plastic bins reduce recycler value, so most consumer PVC packaging has been phased out.
It depends on the application. PVC is stiffer, lighter for the same pressure rating, and cheaper — preferred for residential cold-water plumbing, irrigation laterals and many sewer applications. HDPE (PE100) is more flexible, fusion-weldable for leak-free joints, and tolerates ground movement and freezing without cracking — preferred for water mains, gas distribution, and large-diameter applications. European utilities increasingly standardise on PE for new networks; PVC retains the dominant share in legacy installations and indoor plumbing.