What is PVC ?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a major thermoplastic material finding use in a very wide variety of applications and products.

The essential raw materials for PVC are derived from salt and oil. The electrolysis of salt water produces chlorine, which is combined with ethylene, obtained from oil, to form vinyl chloride monomer (VCM).  Molecules of VCM are polymerised to form PVC resin, to which appropriate additives are incorporated to make a customised PVC compound.

For more information on the manufacture of PVC, please click here to download the overview note "PVC Manufacture".  

For further information on PVC please click here.

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