To make PVC truly circular, we are investing in research and development. Our focus is on ways to reuse PVC after use without destroying the molecule itself, known as mechanical and physical recycling.

Techniques for mechanically recycling PVC after use are already being applied on a large scale. To make it suitable for applications requiring higher quality, recycled PVC must be further cleaned. New technologies are being developed for this purpose, e.g., using solvents or extraction agents.

High-value applications, such as food packaging or medical equipment, require even greater purity. For these types of situations, pathways are being devised to convert recycled PVC into basic chemicals used to create new products with exactly the same properties and purity as existing production techniques. This is called chemical recycling. For, contrary to what is frequently claimed, PVC-containing waste streams can also be excellently chemically recycled with the right technology.

Finally, we are working on collaboration within our value chain and on further transparency through, for example, product LCAs. In this way, step by step, we are building a future in which the production and use of PVC is not only indispensable but also fully responsible.