Windows and profiles
Window frames and other building profiles.
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polyvinyl chloride is a durable, fire-resistant thermoplastic used in rigid (PVC-U) or plasticised (PVC-P) form – for example in window profiles, pipes, flooring and cable insulation.
PVC at a glance
Guide values from manufacturer data sheets and technical literature. They vary by grade, additives and manufacturer – the data sheet of the individual material is decisive. The identification number under Decision 97/129/EC is a voluntary identification system for packaging materials.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Repeating unit | –[CH₂–CHCl]– |
| Identification number (Decision 97/129/EC) | 3 PVC |
| Density | PVC-U approx. 1.37–1.44 g/cm³ · PVC-P approx. 1.19–1.28 g/cm³ (depending on formulation) |
| Glass transition temperature | PVC-U approx. 80–85 °C |
| Structure | rigid (PVC-U, unplasticised) or flexible (PVC-P, plasticised) |
| Typical processing | supplied as powder (resin) or compound; extrusion (pipes, profiles, sheets), injection moulding (e.g. pipe fittings), calendering (sheets, e.g. for flooring) |
| Properties | durable, light, strong, fire-resistant, excellent insulating properties, low permeability |
Typical applications of PVC
Pipes
Water and sewage pipes.
Flooring and roofing membranes
Flooring and roofing membranes in construction.
Cables
Insulation and sheathing of cables.
Healthcare
Blood bags and tubing.
Packaging
Blister packs and films.
Recycling of PVC
- Processes: PVC can be recycled several times, mainly mechanically; chemical processes are under development.
- Volumes: Within the VinylPlus programme of the European PVC industry, around 766,000 t of PVC waste were recycled in 2025, 58.8 % of it pre-consumer and 41.2 % post-consumer waste; window profiles accounted for around 417,000 t.
- Lead (legacy additives): Since 29 November 2024, PVC may not contain lead at or above 0.1 % by weight under REACH (Regulation (EU) 2023/923). For recovered rigid PVC, a derogation for lead below 1.5 % by weight applies until 28 May 2033 – only for certain profiles and sheets, and for multilayer pipes and fittings not intended for drinking water, partly only in a middle layer and labelled “Contains ≥ 0.1 % lead”. Since 28 May 2026, recovered PVC from profiles and sheets may only be used in new profiles and sheets. The derogation for recovered flexible PVC ended on 28 May 2025.
- Cadmium: The general limit is 0.01 % cadmium by weight; recovered PVC may contain up to 0.1 % by weight in certain rigid applications and is labelled “Contains recovered PVC” (Regulation (EU) No 494/2011).
PVC recyclates with plastship
plastship is a distributor of recycled plastics. The starting point of every sourcing project is not the material – but your application.
Recyclate supply
We clarify processing, product specification, acceptable variations and regulatory requirements, and on that basis define suitable recyclate qualities, feedstocks and supply concepts.
Laboratory services
Physical, mechanical and optical testing, odour and polymer composition – including melt flow rate (MFR), density, moisture and ash content, tensile testing, Charpy impact strength and the identification of foreign polymers.
Material quality
A structured evaluation makes recyclate quality transparent – as a basis for decisions in application, sourcing and compliance.
plastship Monitored Materials
Quality scoring on a scale from 0 to 10 points across mechanics, optics, odour and polymer purity – with material benchmark and certificate of quality.
Digital material search
Search and compare recyclates by application-specific criteria, with access to quality-relevant material data.
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More polymers
Polyethylene (PE)
Semi-crystalline polyolefin for films, bottles, crates and pipes.
Polypropylene (PP)
Chemical-resistant polyolefin for packaging, fibres and moulded parts.
Polystyrene (PS)
Amorphous thermoplastic for packaging, housings and insulation foam.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polyester for beverage bottles, packaging, films and fibres.
Polyamide 6 (PA 6)
Engineering plastic for moulded parts, films, fibres and monofilaments.
All polymers
The six polymer pages at a glance.