International
© Ceresana
11.04.2024

Market Study: Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride – World Report (8th edition)

PVC is used to make pipes, hoses, roofing membranes and pond liners, waterstops, window profiles, and door frames, as well as truck tarpaulins and shoe soles, for example. Although PVC is no longer the most produced plastic in the world, it is still one of the best-selling thermoplastics alongside polyethylene and polypropylene.

PVC is mainly used by construction industry

Almost two thirds of the entire production is purchased by the construction industry and used for a wide variety of applications: from floor coverings to façade cladding and roof panels, as well as seals, cables, dowels and fastening elements. Pipes and pipelines alone, the most important PVC application, account for more than 36 % of PVC consumption. This is followed by profiles with 20 % and films and sheets with 18.5 %. Sewage pipes in particular are made of rigid PVC; the market for PVC pipes for potable water and industrial applications is somewhat smaller. Compared to pipes made of concrete or metal, products made of PVC are lighter, more flexible, more resistant to chemicals, and generally more durable.

Packaging made from rigid PVC & flexible PVC

After the construction sector, the second largest PVC consumer is the packaging industry, which processes around 16.7 % of the PVC produced worldwide. PVC is used to produce rigid packaging, i.e. containers such as butter or yogurt pots, bottles, boxes, and lids, but also flexible packaging such as packaging films, bags and sacks, shrink and stretch films. Other everyday products made of PVC include credit cards, artificial leather, toilet seats, and brushes. PVC is used as a good electrical insulator for insulating tapes and protective coatings for pliers or other tools. Medical technology requires PVC, which is resistant to chemicals and disinfectants, e.g. for infusion bags, tubes, catheters, and gloves. Rigid PVC foams are used as a core material for fiber composites and lightweight sandwich constructions.

8th edition of the market study PVC

Chapter 1 provides a description and analysis of the global market – including forecasts up to 2032: For each region of the world, demand in tonnes and revenues in US dollars and Euros are indicated. Furthermore, regional demand per product and application area is analyzed. The following various PVC products are discussed in detail:

  • Sewage pipes
  • Potable water pipes
  • Other pipes
  • Profiles
  • Films & sheets
  • Cables & cable sheathing
  • Flooring
  • Containers
  • Other PVC products

The study also examines application areas and sectors of use for PVC:

  • Flexible packaging
  • Rigid packaging
  • Construction industry
  • Transportation
  • Electrical engineering & electronics
  • Industry
  • Other applications

Chapter 2 looks at 46 countries individually, which constitute the largest national markets for PVC. The following are shown in each case:

  • country-specific demand, revenues, production, and trade
  • demand per PVC product
  • demand per application
  • revenues per application
  • demand per PVC type (rigid & flexible)

Chapter 3 provides useful profiles of the largest manufacturers, clearly arranged according to contact details, revenues, net income, product range, production sites, capacities, and profile summary. In-depth profiles of 70 manufacturers are given, such as ChemChina, Formosa Plastics, Ineos, Occidental, Orbia, Shin-Etsu, Westlake, and Xinjiang Tianye.

More information

(Source: Ceresana Press Release)

Schlagworte

PlasticsPVCStudyThermoplastic

Verwandte Artikel

13.10.2026

Plast Eurasia 35th Edition Approaches

Tüyap will host the 35th edition of Plast Eurasia in Istanbul from December 2 through 5 in Istanbul, Türkiye. It will bring plastics machinery, raw materials and producti...

Exhibition International Joining Plastics JP Plast Eurasia Plastic Plastics Plastics Processing Polymer PU Raw Materials Trade Fair
Read more
The SKZ Plastics Center supports companies in the plastics industry with targeted, practical training, implementation, and certification programs to help them comply with EU regulations on the use of microplastics and the release of plastic pellets.
08.10.2026

Small Particles - Big Challenges

With the REACH microplastics restriction and the new Pellet Loss Regulation, the European Union is establishing a comprehensive legal framework that affects the entire pl...

Certification EU European Regulations European Union Joining Platics JP Microplastics Operation Clean Sweep Pellet Loss Regulation Plastics Polymers REACH
Read more
05.10.2026

Chinaplas 2027: Advancing a Smarter and Circular Future

Chinaplas 2027 will be held under the theme “Advancing a Smarter, Circular Future - As One,” focusing on the core propositions of intelligent innovation, green upgrading...

AI Chinaplas Circularity Joining Plastics JP Plastics Robotics Robots Rubber Sustainability Trade Fair
Read more
23.09.2026

EU and US PFAS Regulations

IDTechEx's report "PFAS Regulations, Alternatives, Removal, and Destruction 2027-2037: Technologies, Players, Market Outlook" provides analysis of the PFAS regulatory lan...

EU EU Regulation European Chemicals Agency European Union Forever Chemicals Joning Plastics JP PFAS PFHxS PFOA PFOS Plastics
Read more
Plasma Treatment
22.09.2026

Ferrarini & Benelli Showcases New Atmospheric Plasma Solutions at Fakuma

Ferrarini & Benelli will present atmospheric plasma treatment solutions at Fakuma 2026, a technology designed to improve surface properties and enhance adhesion in indus...

Adhesion Atmospheric Plasma Technology Automation Bonding Coating Cobot FAKUMA Joining Plastics JP Plastics Polymers Raw Materials
Read more