WP Report
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
This World Petrochemical (WP) report on PVC contains complete global and country supply/demand balances for the base year, the past five years and five and ten year projections. The complete report including the analyses and supply/demand tables contains approximately 155 pages. There is also a table showing all global producers, their locations, and capacities (current, historical and future) to produce PVC.
Published January 2011
Abstract
Global production and consumption of PVC in 2010 were approximately 34 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 72% in 2010, remaining flat from 2009. Global PVC consumption is estimated to have increased by 4.6% in 2010. Demand is expected to average growth of around 4.7% per year from 2010 to 2015, and 4.2% from 2015 to 2020. Average global utilization rates are expected to increase gradually, reaching the mid-80s range towards the end of the forecast period.
PVC is produced by the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). It is the most versatile of all thermoplastics, and can be converted into rigid products or flexible articles. Rigid applications accounted for around 65% of total consumption in 2010 and have the most growth opportunities. The major end use of rigid PVC is for pipe and fittings; other uses include film and sheet, windows, and siding. Flexible PVC, including paste and emulsions, is used for film and sheet, wire and cable insulation, floor coverings, synthetic leather, and other consumer applications.
The following pie charts show world consumption of flexible PVC and rigid PVC by end use:
