Global PVC market analysis and forecast to 2020
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the third-most widely produced polymer, after polyethylene and polypropylene. It is one the most widely-used plastics and is produced by polymerisation of the monomer vinyl chloride. PVC has an amorphous structure with polar chlorine atoms and has fire retardant properties and oil/chemical resistance. It is widely used in construction, packaging, automotive and electrical industries due to properties such as; light weight, good mechanical strength, abrasion resistance and toughness. PVC can be bifurcated into two basic forms: rigid and flexible. The rigid form of PVC can be used in manufacturing of pipes, doors, windows, plastic bottles and so on. The flexible form of PVC can be used in plumbing, electrical cable insulation, imitation leather and so on.
On the basis of product type, the PVC market is classified as wire and cable, pipes and fittings, bottles and others. Based on the application, it is divided into two segments: rigid polyvinyl chloride and flexible polyvinyl chloride. The PVC market is also segmented on the basis of end-users: automotive, electrical, construction, packaging and others.
Asia Pacific is the largest market for PVC, accounting for more than 50%. The Asia Pacific region is expected to show a good growth rate over the forecast period due to the high growth potential of the building and construction industry. China represents the largest market for PVC in the Asia Pacific region.
Europe is the second largest market for PVC, followed by North America.
The market is expected to witness a double-digit growth rate in the coming years. Some of the major drivers include; high growth in the building and construction sector, high growth in the automobile industry and growing medical devices. Some of the major restraints for PVC market include; increasing competition from steel and concrete pipes and the prohibited use of PVC in the construction of green buildings.
Some of the major companies operating in the PVC market include; Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Solvay S.A., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Formosa Plastics Group, Ineos Chlorvinyls Ltd, Xinjiang Zhongtai Chemical Co. Ltd., Mexichem S.A.B., KEM one and Axiall Corporation.
Featured articles and news
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.