Enabling a faster transition to more sustainable PVC solutions

At POLYBLEND UK LIMITED, we’re committed to sustainable production of polymer solutions. The Plastic and the additives market is vital to modern economies and over the coming decades, global demand is expected to grow to meet rising social and economic welfare needs.

As one of the world’s most recycled material, PVC plastic plays a vital role in transitioning to a low-carbon, circular economy. Reviewing our processes and investing in innovative technology will boost our contribution to significant decarbonisation.

Product Sustainability

Our dedicated New Product Development and Research team tailor the properties of polymers and additives to offer sustainable plastisol solutions.
One area of focus is to collaborate with our customers to deliver a more sustainable product. The answer to this is to start making this already valued and efficient product from more renewable ingredients. A major ingredient in PVC plastisol is the plasticizer, which softens the naturally rigid PVC. Selecting more sustainable plasticizers will therefore have a profound impact on the final product.

A second area is reviewing product specifics like lower weight, higher strength and durability of products within our customers output processes. This collaboration can also lead to promoting greater product efficiency and a reduction in material scrap.
Our portfolio of products can ensure the appropriate grade of plasticiser and additives are utilised in the correct application to optimise both product and environmental performance, hence supporting a lower carbon impact and extended product lifecycle.
Developing More Sustainable Alternative Solutions
By transitioning to renewable, low carbon footprint raw materials and high performing non-phthalate plasticizers, we can express the environmental opportunities in four clear areas:

1. Greater durability thereby extending the product life
2. Reducing the use of fossil-based materials
3. Using less material without any trade-offs in performance
4. Future-proofing plasticized PVC by enabling recycling

The future role of plastics and PVC

We believe that PVC is an excellent material, provided that it is made in the right way. PVC inherently has a very low carbon footprint as it is far less dependent on fossil raw materials than most other thermoplastics. One of its ingredients for example is common rock salt. PVC is a lightweight, flexible and durable material with a long product life. It is also recyclable when made in the right way. For these reasons, PVC is a valued resource and offers tremendous potential in the immediate future as a sustainable material.
Walking the sustainable walk

It is important that chemical companies do not just talk the green talk but walk the sustainable walk. This is why we believe that any development of new pro-environment or renewable products need to be credible and drive a real transition to a greener future.
PVC’s contribution is by no means limited to its products. The PVC industry is also setting a unique example in the process of working together as a supply chain in driving forward sustainable development, as published in a recent article by British Plastics Federation – The Contribution of PVC to Sustainability
With PVC already being recyclable, enabling the use of non-phthalate plasticizers and phasing out unsafe additives we can truly become a part of a circular flow in our society where PVC can be both a valuable material and a resource.

Conclusion

Plastics are typically downcycled rather than fully recycled. If manufacturers work to produce more sustainable products, then they themselves become more recyclable and promote a sustainable and circular economy. As consumers, we need to understand plastics benefits and reduce the product discard and promote product sustainability and their recycling. As an industry, we need we work together as producers globally on how we solve it for the future generations and the protection of the environment.

Published by

Neil Platt

Quality & Systems Manager at POLYBLEND UK LIMITED