Throughout its more than 100 years of existence and safe use, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has proven its endless product possibilities, finding its way to many of the things we use every day and proving itself as a sustainable material. In 2012, the total demand for PVC worldwide was estimated at around 36 million metric tons. As the most important and widely used plastic in the building and construction sector, PVC contributes to the conservation and preservation of natural resources. It is an alternative to wood, concrete, glass, aluminum and clay.

As PVC is durable, it offers long service life. Over 80% of PVC is used in applications having service lives of more than 10 years. PVC is recyclable and can be converted to other products after it has served its original purpose, allowing for maximum resource efficiency. PVC continues to be the product for the future. Recent technological advances have paved the way for innovative applications such as large diameter PVC pipes for water supply and sanitary applications, molecularly oriented (flexible) pipes, fusible PVC pipes, PVC foam boards, stretch ceiling systems, interlocking hollow PVC panels (a revolutionary concrete forming technology), geomembranes (used for storm water basins, pond liners or landfill liners) and various other furniture and architectural profiles.