The plastic PVC
Chlorine is used in the manufacture of
PVC (polyvinyl chloride). With an annual global production of 32.4
million tonnes (2009) and European consumption of 5.4 million
tonnes, PVC has the second largest tonnage of all thermoplastics
after polyethylene.
PVC has been produced on an industrial scale since the
1930s. The presence of chlorine contributes to specific
properties:
- Good resistance to fire;
- Impermeability to gases and resistance to
bacteriological contamination;
- Easy processing with an extensive variety of
formulations due to its compatibility with many products, additives
and copolymers.
Because it is easy to process,
there is a vast range of materials made out of PVC that can be
transparent or opaque, flexible or rigid, with a long
durability.
Due to its versatile nature, PVC
is used extensively in many industries and provides several popular
and necessary products in construction, automobiles, electric and
IT cabling, smart & credit cards, packaging, fashion &
design, flooring material, medical devices and many other things.
Not to forget the famous vinyl record, which are getting popular
again.
Made from salt (57%) and oil (43%), PVC is a sustainable
material, less oil-dependent than any other major thermoplastic
material.
Read more about this modern synthetic material on
pvc.org.
