Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sometimes known as ‘vinyl’, is a plastic material that has widespread use in building, transport, electrical, healthcare and packaging. It has been produced widely and now accounts for approximately 20% of all plastic manufactured around the world, second only to polyethylene (polyethene). PVC has extensive use in a construction products. Its strong, lightweight, durable and versatile characteristics make it ideal for products such as window profiles and its flexibility, flame retardant and electrical insulation properties make it ideal for cabling applications. It is relatively inexpensive, durable and long lasting. It can be either rigid (uPVC, or unplasticised PVC) or flexible and can be manufactured in a variety of colours or can be transparent.
