568,696 tons of PVC waste recycled in 2016. Strong cooperation with competent EU authorities and bodies to addressing the issues of legacy additives. Achievement of lead-based stabilizers replacement in the EU-28 verified by an external audit company. PVC resin producers in line with the target of reducing their energy consumption by 20% by 2020. New Cooperation Agreement signed with the social partners of the European Chemical Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee. VinylPlus selected as a Highly Commended entry by The Circulars 2017, the circular economy award program of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

The VinylPlus program is privately funded by the European PVC industry and requires significant financial commitment. The European PVC industry invested over 5.5 million Euro in 2016, of which 3.6 million Euro in waste management and technical projects. Since 2000, more than 100 million Euro have been invested by the European PVC industry in its sustainability programs. Uncertainties in the implementation of relevant EU regulations such as REACH, CLP and Waste had negative consequences for investment in the research and development of new products and markets for recycled PVC.

Continue to implement the program and progress towards the achievement of the targets set for 2020, with the objective of minimizing the impact of PVC products throughout their entire life cycle and improve their contributions towards sustainable development.

Civil society; EU PVC value chain; Employees; The VinylPlus program is helping the PVC value chain to develop more sustainable products and improve production processes (more sustainable use of additives, improved energy and resources efficiency, emission reduction). Using recycled PVC helps meet resource-efficiency targets and allows the preservation of natural resources. It has been calculated that CO2 savings of up to 92% are achieved when PVC is recycled: recycled PVCs primary energy demand is typically between 45% to 90% lower than virgin PVC production (depending on type of PVC and the recycling process). Furthermore, according to a conservative estimation, for each kg of PVC recycled, 2 kg of CO2 are saved. On this basis, CO2 savings from PVC recycling in Europe is now at around 1.1 million tons of CO2 saved per year. According to a study by TAUW, an independent European consulting and engineering company, on average one employee is needed to recycle 500 tons/year of PVC. Hence the 568,696 tons of PVC recycled in 2016 contributed to the creation of more than 1,100 direct jobs in recycling plants. Further information on the projects and activities implemented in 2016 can be found in the VinylPlus Progress Report 2017, independently audited and verified by third parties.