European PVC industry builds 2030 sustainability program at online forum

VinylPlus, Brussels, the voluntary commitment to sustainable development of the European polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry, brought together more than 180 participants from 24 countries at its virtual VinylPlus Sustainability Forum (VSF).

Reflecting on a decade of leadership in PVC sustainability, VinylPlus Managing Director Brigitte Dero outlined VinylPlus’ success in tackling sustainability challenges, embracing the circular economy and addressing issues such as safe recycling to further advance the circularity of PVC.

“I am proud of the work done by VinylPlus and its partners to increase the sustainability performance and use of PVC. We are fully committed to being circular, working closely with the European Commission and actively contributing to the Circular Plastics Alliance,” Dero said.

Kirsi Ekroth-Manssila, head of unit at DG GROW, said, “VinylPlus is a perfect example of how to make the circular economy a reality, being the first value chain in 2001 to take on the challenge of transforming a problem into an opportunity. In addressing the environmental concerns of PVC, VinylPlus and the industry came up with an ambitious and forward-looking approach: to organize, cooperate and communicate with the whole value chain, from the producer to the downstream user and the waste manager.”

The event was an opportunity to discuss and give feedback on the new 2030 sustainability program, which is currently in development. The conversation built on an external stakeholder consultation carried out by Accenture on key sustainability drivers, and challenges and opportunities for the PVC industry to respond to over the next decade.

The VSF participants engaged in a debate and provided their views on the direction of the program and on pertinent issues such as enhancing VinylPlus’ engagement with stakeholders and ensuring the long-term sustainability of PVC.    

The event concluded with the VinylPlus Product Label Awards Ceremony, celebrating companies and partners of VinylPlus who offer PVC products with the highest sustainability performance. To date, 10 companies have been awarded the Product Label for 112 PVC products manufactured in 18 European sites. Based on well-defined sustainability criteria, the VinylPlus Product Label is open to all PVC building and construction products.