VinylPlus is the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development, working to improve the sustainability performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) in pipe systems and the many other critical applications where the polymer is used.
VinylPlus unites PVC resin and additive producers, converters and recyclers, and covers the EU-27 plus Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
VinylPlus in Overview
A Value Chain Committed to Sustainable Development
Taking a value chain approach, VinylPlus has achieved significant progress during the last 25 years. The achievements cover vinyl through its entire life cycle – from production over use to end-of-life:
Reducing Emissions and Energy Use
The Commitment has led to a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases and other substances within the vinyl industry. This includes a decrease in energy consumption and an increase in the use of renewable energy sources.
In parallel, European PVC resin producers have strengthened workplace safety by minimising worker exposure to emissions to levels below the world’s most stringent regulatory standards.
Substituting Unwanted Substances
The European PVC industry has successfully substituted unwanted substances such as lead-based stabilisers ahead of regulation and developed the Additive Sustainability Footprint® methodology with third parties to assess the sustainability of additives used in PVC products.
Investing in Collection and Recycling
One of VinylPlus’ key achievements has been the significant increase in PVC recycling, including cables.
Since 2000, around 1.8 million tonnes of PVC cables have been recycled in Europe. In total, more than 9.5 million tonnes of PVC have been recycled, saving approximately 19.1 million tonnes of CO₂.
VinylPlus also organises and co-funds research on advanced sorting and recycling technologies.
Transparent Governance Across the Value Chain
VinylPlus has established a robust and transparent monitoring system to track progress on its commitments. Oversight is provided by a Monitoring Committee comprising representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, consumer organisations, trade unions, and academia.
In addition, VinylPlus has supported the development of sustainability certification schemes, such as the VinylPlus® Product Label and VinylPlus® Supplier Certificates, which help consumers and businesses identify environmentally responsible vinyl products.
Advancing Sustainable Vinyl Worldwide
While rooted in Europe, VinylPlus engages with international organisations to promote sustainable vinyl solutions globally.
Through participation in the Global Vinyl Council and the UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, VinylPlus advocates for a practical and effective global framework that builds on Europe’s leadership in circularity and responsible material management.
Driving Technical Excellence in Cable Systems
VinylPlus and its partners support innovation, scientific research, and standardisation work to ensure PVC cable systems meet evolving safety, performance and regulatory requirements.
This includes development of more sustainable formulations, research supporting compliance with the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), and continuous development of fire performance.
The VinylPlus 2030 Commitment
VinylPlus 2030 is the European PVC industry’s 10-year Commitment to sustainable development. Built around three Pathways, it sets measurable targets to accelerate circularity, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen global cooperation across the value chain.
For PVC pipe systems, the Commitment supports circular product design, responsible sourcing, carbon reduction, recycling technologies, and transparent governance.
The Commitment is structured around three Pathways:
Pathway 1: Scaling up PVC Value Chain Circularity
Pathway 2: Advancing Towards Carbon Neutrality and Minimising Our Environmental Footprint
Pathway 3: Building Global Coalitions and Partnering for the SDGs
The three Pathways are further broken down into twelve Action Areas that outline concrete steps to be taken by the European vinyl industry for the sustainable development of vinyl. VinylPlus 2030 aligns with the most relevant EU policies, such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability under the European Green Deal.
