European PVC recycling reaches record high in 2018

A record amount of over 739 kilotonnes of PVC was recycled in 2018 within the framework of the voluntary European PVC recycling programme VinylPlus, a 15.6% increase compared to the year before, according to the latest figures released this month.
 
In a 2-day conference in Prague, Czech Republic earlier this month, the platform studied this year’s theme of “accelerating innovation”, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by new technologies in the PVC sector.
 
Addressing the event, VinylPlus general manager Brigitte Dero said the all-time high of nearly 740 kliotonnes – 92.4% of the VinylPlus’ 2020 target – was achieved “despite regulatory constraints.”
 
 

Recovinyl, the PVC industry’s recycling scheme, remained the main contributor, registering 735 kilotonnes of recycled PVC.
 
Cumulatively, almost 5 million tonnes of PVC have been recycled since 2000, according to Dero.
“Through our voluntary commitment, we are making continuous progress towards our sustainability goals amid the development of EU policies impacting the plastics sector,” she added.
 
On the regulatory issues, VinylPlus chairman Stefan Sommer called for a “balanced and harmonised legislative framework for the recycling of plastics”, terming it “essential” for securing contributions to the circular economy and achieving the platform’s new recycling target of at least 900,000 tonnes by 2025.
 
Also addressing the conference, member of European Parliament Martina Dlabajová said the evolution towards sustainable development required “a change of mindset.”
 
“Only through cooperation with businesses and industry can politicians make informed decisions,” she added.
 
The conference also saw four profile manufacturers – Deceuninck, Finstral, Salamander Industrie Produkte and Internorm – receiving the VinylPlus Product Label.
 
To date, eight profile manufacturers have been awarded the label, which takes into account sustainability criteria such as responsible sourcing and additives.
 
VinylPlus is the voluntary sustainable development programme of the European PVC industry, which aims at creating a long-term sustainability framework for the entire PVC value chain. 
 
The regional scope of the 10-year programme is the EU-28 plus Norway and Switzerland.
 
Over 170 delegates, including representatives from the European Commission, European Parliament, the Czech Ministry of Environment, and the United Nations attended the event held 9-10 May.