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1 Forward2 ContentsThe signature of our VoluntaryCommitment in March last year brokenew ground for the industry by settingout a partnership approach involving eachpart of the PVC supply chain to delivercommitments that cover the whole PVClifecycle.The Voluntary Commitment is the PVCindustry’s response to the challenge ofsustainable development in the firstdecade of the new millennium and it willdrive us towards achieving four keyobjectives:• Continuous environmentalimprovement and resource efficiencyduring manufacture• Sustainable use of additives within PVCapplications• Responsible management of PVCproducts at the end of their useful life• Managing delivery of these projectsand provision of appropriate financialresourcesOver the last year we have been buildingon the words with actions securing thefinancial resources required andimplementing practical projects focusedon enabling us to reach agreed targetsagainst clear deadlines.This first annual progress reportdemonstrates our commitment to openand transparent reporting and sets thescene for our work over the next10 years. It provides information on howwe have been working to further reducethe environmental impact of PVCmanufacture and expand options forsustainable PVC waste managementaround Europe. It also describes theresearch and feasibility studies we areundertaking to help us achieve ourlonger-term goals.As the essential elements of ourcommitment are verifiable andquantifiable targets, we are committed toindependent verification and evaluation ofour progress. We are therefore lookingforward to the completion of theEuropean Commission’s work to establishguidelines for voluntary initiatives byindustry. We will use these guidelines asthe basis for independent verification offuture progress reports.We are a united industry. By workingtogether across the product lifecycle, I amconfident that we will fulfil ourcommitment to continuous improvement.Once you have read this report, I hopethat you will provide us with yourfeedback, via our web sitewww.pvcinitiative.com so that we canwork with you to build a sustainablefuture for PVC.1 Forward2 Contents3 Mapping out a sustainable future4 The Horizontal Initiative5 Progress on CommitmentsA Engaging stakeholdersB Towards a better understandingC PVC ManufactureD AdditivesE Waste ManagementF Management and Financial Scheme6 Key Milestones for 20017 Glossary of Terms andAbbreviations8 The European PVC IndustryAssociationsThe Voluntary Commitment is the PVCindustry’s response to the challenge ofsustainable development in the firstdecade of the new millenniumJean-Pierre PleskaChairman of the Voluntary CommitmentManagement Committee

3 Mapping out a sustainable futureRAW MATERIALS(oil, salt, energy)Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is one of themajor thermoplastic materials. Itsuniquely versatile performance deliverssubstantial benefits, making it the materialof choice in many applications and sectorsin our modern society: construction,transportation, electronics and health.The material has been subject to muchdebate and scrutiny over recent decadescovering many aspects of its lifecycle.Numerous independent studies havebroadly concluded that PVC is aneco-efficient material which, whenresponsibly managed from cradle tograve, provides sustainable benefits tosociety. This report describes the actionsthat have been undertaken during thepast year by PVC producers and theirindustry partners to enhance responsibleproduct management.The PVC industry adds value to society.Industries directly linked to PVCproduction – such as resin producers,converters and manufacturers of finishedproducts involve over 530,000 peoplethroughout Europe.PRODUCTION• mechanical recycling• feedstock recyclingCONVERSIONThe PVC lifecycleRECOVERYUSE•incinerationof PVC withenergyrecoveryEnd use applications for PVC in Western Europe, 1999DISPOSAL• LandfillRigid film 7.0%Plastisols 4.9%Coatings 5.2%Hoses and profiles 4.1%Flexible film/sheet 7.0%Other flexible4.1%Source: EuPCOther Rigid 4.2%Cables/Wires10.7%Flooring10.1%Profiles 18.5%Pipes 21.9%Today, worldwide demand for PVC resinexceeds 25 million tonnes annually. TheEuropean market reached approximately5.5 million tonnes of PVC resin in 2000,corresponding to 8.3 million tonnes offinished product. The value of finished PVCproducts is estimated at 75 billion euro.The industry as a whole comprises ofPVC resin manufacturers, additiveEND-OF-LIFEproducers and converters. Representedby their European Associations, ECVM,EuPC, ESPA and ECPI (see Section 7),the industry united voluntarily in March2000 with the signature of its VoluntaryCommitment. This sets out anintegrated approach to deliverresponsible cradle to grave management.Voluntary commitment progress report 1

4 The Horizontal InitiativePVC is the first material to have beensubject to a ‘horizontal initiative’ withinEurope. This initiative was prompted byquestions raised about the role of PVCwithin the management of variousproducts at the end of their useful life.“Rather than examine this role withineach separate waste stream, theEuropean Commission decided toundertake the horizontal initiative todevelop a PVC policy that could beapplied across all PVC waste streams,”explains Jean-Pierre De Grève,Executive Director of ECVM andgeneral co-ordinator of the industry’svoluntary approach.“This is seen as a pioneering approachthat will set a standard for the future.The process has been tackled in aninnovative way, with co-responsibilitybetween DG Enterprise and DGEnvironment leading to joint decisionson EC policy development.“During the initial stage, fiveindependent studies on differentaspects of PVC waste managementwere commissioned. Based on theresults of these studies and otherexisting information, the Commissionadopted a Green Paper on PVC in July2000. This raised a number ofquestions and outlined possible optionsfor implementing a European strategyon PVC.“Publication of the Green Paper wasfollowed by a period of publicconsultation, culminating in a publichearing in October 2000 that providedan opportunity for stakeholders to talktogether in a transparent and opendiscussion, keeping the debate on trackto deliver sustainable solutions.“Since the public hearing, theCommission has been considering viewsthat have been presented and is awaitingrecommendations on the Green Paperfrom the member states and EuropeanParliament. It is understood theCommission is then planning to issue aCommunication defining the EU policyon PVC by mid-2001.”The role of the PVC industry“The PVC industry provided commentson all of the horizontal initiative studiesto the Commission and presented clear,practical answers to the variousquestions raised in the Green Paper,”says Jean-Pierre.Jean-Pierre De GrèveExecutive DirectorECVM“We feel there are limitations inexamining one material in isolation.The ultimate goal should be to achievesustainability, not only for wastemanagement, but across the wholePVC product lifecycle and againstcomparative analysis with alternativematerials.“The PVC industry believes voluntaryaction is the only workable approachwhen a single material is concerned.”2 Voluntary commitment progress report

5 Progress on commitmentsA. Engaging stakeholdersThrough the Voluntary Commitment, theEuropean PVC industry has beendiscussing with all parties the best ways toachieve improved stewardship for theirproducts. At the European Commissionpublic hearing in October, they offered anopen invitation for all stakeholders to jointhem in working towards a successfuloutcome.Martyn Griffiths, ECVM CommunicationsManager, explains how the industry hasbeen working. “PVC producers and theirindustry partners have been contactingstakeholders across Europe over recentyears to understand their views andestablish a dialogue,” he says. “AtEuropean level the work has beenundertaken by the four PVC industryassociations and within each country acollection of national organisations, knownas the PVC Network, hasbeen involved in various formsof stakeholder contact.”Martyn GriffithsCommunications ManagerECVMDuring the past year, communicationactivities have included:• Participation The PVC industry’sresponse to the Green Paper andparticipation in the public hearing was coordinatedby the four industry associationsECVM, EuPC, ESPA and ECPI. A new website, www.pvcinitiative.com, was set-up togive public access to all of the informationsubmitted to the European Commissionand provide a means for stakeholderfeedback.• Discussion forums The Italian Centrodi Informazione sul PVC organised adiscussion forum entitled ‘Cling Films: thepositive choice for the consumer’,attended by more than 100 delegates,including 40 journalists.• Seminars The Iberian Forumhosted a seminar with the SpanishSocialist Trade Union UGT on ‘TheGreen Paper, Analysis, Debate and VoluntaryCommitment of the PVC Industry.’PROJECT UPDATEEuropean unions and employers launch dialogueEuropean PVC industry unions and employers have set up a forum for dialogue on “vitalissues” surrounding the sector’s future and their potential social effects on employees.The dialogue agreement between the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’Federation (EMCEF) and three employer associations (ECVM, ECPI and ESPA) wasannounced in Brussels at the end of October 2000.The dialogue will cover:•••Industry development of European health, safety and environmental standardsTraining and further training • Standards transfer to “accession countries”European works councilsThe full text of the agreement is available from www.pvcinitiative.com.• Conferences The Danish PVC InformationCouncil undertook a joint conference,together with the Confederation of DanishIndustries and Danish Plastic Federation, forimportant stakeholders in the PVC debate.• Face-to-face meetings The PVC SteeringCommittee in the Netherlands undertook aseries of meetings with the DutchConsumer’s League to understand theirviews and discuss issues that wereimportant to them.• Information campaignsArbeitsgemeinschaft PVC und Umwelt eV(AgPU) continued their PVCplus campaignin Germany demonstrating the benefits ofPVC to decision-makers in industry andthe construction sector, as well as thegeneral public.SOCIAL DIALOGUE• Voluntary agreements Followingextensive dialogue with major retailers, theUK PVC industry has agreed a VoluntaryCharter that focuses on the productionof PVC for packaging applications. It hasalso undergone an analysis against theNatural Step Sustainability System Criteria,the results of which have been madepublicly available.Building social dialogueThe PVC industry recognises that animportant element in building a long termstrategy towards sustainability isunderstanding and enhancing its rolewithin society. With this in mind, it hasbegun to seek out opportunities for socialdialogue with trade unions and otherimportant organisations.Voluntary commitment progress report 3

PROJECT UPDATESOCIAL DIALOGUEB. Towards a better understandingHarmonising standards across Europe“ECVM and EMCEF will be hosting a seminar in Warsaw on 19th and 20th ofSeptember, 2001 for industry managers and HS&E experts in all countries that haveapplied to join the European Union,” explains Arjen Sevenster, Technical andEnvironmental Affairs Manager with ECVM.“The seminar will focus on environment, safety and health issues related to themanufacture of PVC,” says Arjen. “The objective is to share experience about HS&Eregulations and industry’s efforts to comply throughout Europe.”More specifically, the topics to be covered are:• European Union health, safety and environment regulations, expecteddevelopments and requirements for countries applying to join• Voluntary commitments by the Western European industry (e.g. charters) andactivities needed to achieve their environmental objectives• Best practice in environmental management•••Regulations relating to production and transportationSafety management systems and essential elements of technical safetyHow the Western European industry has responded to health issues relatingto VCM• Results of recent studies on exposure to VCM and PVC dust•How to enhance co-operation between Eastern and Western Europeancompanies“Contributions to the discussion at thePVC public hearing in October 2000provided evidence that there is stillconfusion over the role that PVC plays ina number of environmental and healthissues,” believes Jean-Pierre Pleska,Chairman of the Voluntary CommitmentManagement Committee. “We willcontinue to provide objective data as ameans to helping stakeholders make aninformed choice on the issues thatmatter to them.“One of the ways we are seeking to fulfilthis commitment is by commissioningand publishing new research undertakenby independent organisations,” saysJean-Pierre. “Research has been recentlyundertaken on a number of subjects.”• Long-term behaviour of PVC productsunder soil-buried and landfill conditions(Mersiowsky et al., July 1999)• Behaviour of PVC products in landfilledmunicipal solid waste (MSW) at differenttemperatures (Ejiertsson et al., September 2000)• Incineration of PVC and other products inMSW. Assessment of additional costs forvarious wastes with comparison to PVC indomestic waste incineration (BertinTechnologies, November 2000)• Feasibility study of the salt mines storageroute. Step 1 Report – Appraisal of thesalt mines storage route for residues fromincineration (Bertin Technologies, February 2000)• Feasibility study of the salt mines storageroute. Step 2 Report – Comparison of thesalt mines storage with competing routesfor incineration residue management (BertinTechnologies, March 2000)• MSW incinerations salt residues: Survey oftechnologies for treatment (TNOEnvironment, August 2000)• PVC and MSW incineration: Burden orbenefit (TNO Environment, December 1999)Full references for these studies and detailsof how to obtain copies can be found atthe www.pvcinitiative.com web site.4 Voluntary commitment progress report

C. PVC ManufactureCOMMITMENT PVC manufacturers commit to ensuring that each VCM andSuspension PVC plant in Europe fully complies with the 1995 ECVM Charter.Reports assuring full compliance will be available in June 2000 and the potentialfor further plant optimisations will be investigated in 2001.In June 1999, the results of anindependent audit of ECVM membercompany sites against the IndustryCharter for the production of VCM andPVC were published. These revealed thatthe member companies had achieved88% compliance against the standards setin 1995.Companies whose plants did not fullycomply with the Charter standards at thetime have been working on internal plansto fit with their individual businessdevelopment programmes. Progress upuntil the end of 2000 has raised the levelof compliance to 96%. All membercompany sites do fully comply withnational legislation. The standardsincluded in the Charter are often higherthan those required by national legislation,requiring significant upgrades to plants.There are still a small number that fallshort of the high standards required to bemet. It is expected that the few remainingshortcomings will be fully resolved beforethe end of 2001. Follow-up independentverification of compliance across allmember company sites will then beundertaken and the results made publiclyavailable.The technology for making PVC via theemulsion process is different to thesuspension process. Member companiesare currently undertaking the necessaryupgrades to meet the standards set in theECVM charter in line with their 2003deadline.COMMITMENT PVC manufacturers commit to comply with the EmulsionPVC Charter signed in February 1999. The Charter’s deadline for compliance isthe end of 2003 and compliance will be externally audited and published bymid 2004.Voluntary commitment progress report 5

COMMITMENT PVC resin,plasticiser and stabilisermanufacturers commit as individualcompanies to:• Continue to improve theirresource consumption (materialand energy use) duringmanufacture;• Set ongoing targets to reduceresource consumption whereeconomically and ecologicallythis is warranted;• Review their progress towardssuch targets on an annual basis.Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) are powerfultools to assess raw materials consumptionand environmental impact ofmanufacturing activities over thecomplete production chain, starting withprimary energy and raw material sources.The Association of Plastics Manufacturersin Europe (APME) has been using this toolto collect relevant and comparable datafor all major plastics. PVC is an integralpart of this effort. Data have beencollected in 2000 in order to update thePVC LCA, due for publication in 2001.Assessment of resource consumptionduring manufacture is the first andnecessary step on the way toimprovement. Thereafter, the industrywill move to setting targets and reportingsystems. The targets require not only fullsupport of the industry, but alsoconsistency with initiatives for reductionof CO 2 emissions throughout the EU.PROJECT UPDATESteering sustainable strategyECO-EFFICIENCY“A ‘PVC and Sustainable Development’ Task Force was created by the industry inSeptember 2000. Its purpose is to define what sustainable development means for thePVC industry, assembling relevant information from internal as well as external sourcesand proposing steps for progress,” says Arjen Sevenster, ECVM Technical andEnvironmental Affairs Manager.Key areas that have been identified for attention are:• Production of PVC from alternative resources (more abundant or renewable)•Further decreasing the amount of manufacturing energy that is drawn from nonrenewableresources• Deepening knowledge about the eco-efficiency of PVC and ways to enhance itfurther.“The Voluntary Commitment is a significant step along the path towards sustainabledevelopment,” believes Arjen. “Creation of the Task Force demonstrates that theindustry is not prepared to rest here and is looking far into the future with its plans forcontinuous improvement.”Arjen SevensterTechnical and Environmental Affairs ManagerECVM6 Voluntary commitment progress report

PROJECT UPDATESUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTD. AdditivesTaking the Natural StepDuring 2000, the UK PVC industry published the results of an ambitious researchproject that identified challenges faced by the whole industry in its efforts to make thematerial truly sustainable.The UK PVC Co-ordination Group was set up in 1997 comprising representatives froma number of major retailers, PVC manufacturers (Norsk Hydro & EVC International)and the UK Environment Agency.One of the group’s most important initiatives has been a research project with TheNatural Step (TNS) to evaluate the PVC lifecycle. A report containing details of theresearch and consensus-building work that went on around it was published at thebeginning of August 2000.“Representatives of the UK PVC industry recognise the magnitude of these challenges,but accept that they provide a helpful agenda for action,” says Jonathon Porritt, leadingUK environmentalist and chairman of the UK PVC Co-ordination Group.Porritt believes it serves little purpose arguing for the elimination of PVC without firstassessing the degree to which any substitute would have a lower ‘sustainabilityfootprint’. “PVC may or may not have a place in a genuinely sustainable society, butexactly the same questions must be asked of all materials, be they man-made or natural,before leaping to what are often ill-judged and unscientific conclusions,” he says.“The objectives of the European PVC Industry and its Voluntary Commitment are inline with the TNS investigations,” says Jean-Pierre De Grève, ECVM Executive Director.“Implementation of our Voluntary Commitment has set us on our way to meeting thechallenges outlined by this report.”PlasticisersCOMMITMENT The plasticisersindustry will continue to conductresearch in order to providescientific studies and expertise tohelp policy-makers develop wellinformed decisions at the earliestpossible time.Over the past year, the plasticiserindustry has spent 1.4 million euro onresearch and will spend another 1 millioneuro in 2001.During 2000, a number of studies havebeen finalised, including one conductedto facilitate the EU risk assessment ofdi-butyl phthalate (DBP) whichdemonstrated that inhalation by rats ofextremely high levels of DBP had noadverse effects. A more fundamentalstudy clarifying the mechanisms by whichphthalates and similar substancesproduce different effects in differentspecies was completed and published inthe peer-reviewed literature.Voluntary commitment progress report 7

The effect of phthalates in sediments onthe hatching of frog eggs and subsequenttadpole development was investigatedusing a methodology agreed by the EUcompetent authorities. The studyconcluded that there were no adverseeffects even at phthalate levels manytimes higher than those found in theenvironment.COMMITMENT The industrysector will continue to improve thealready sizeable scientific databaseof its products consistent withResponsible Care ® principles anduse it to propose improvementsbased on the results of EU riskassessments.EU risk assessments are currently beingundertaken on Dibutyl phthalate (DBP),Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP),Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), Diisodecylphthalate (DIDP), and Butylbenzylphthalate (BBP). These are due to becompleted during 2001. Proposals forimprovements will be made once theresults are known. In the meantime, theindustry is already embarking on a majorresearch study on fish to specificallyaddress an outstanding data gap that isknown to exist.COMMITMENT Industry supportsthe concept of Lifecycle Analysis(LCA) evaluation of materials inorder to highlight possibleimprovements. It will work towardscompletion of a database on variousplasticisers for PVC to achieve thisgoal. It is anticipated that this will becompleted by the end of 2000.ECPI completed a major project tocalculate the eco-profile of high-volumephthalate esters at the end of last year.The calculations, which will allow users tocarry out life-cycle assessments of theirown products, will be published duringthe first half of 2001. The eco-profile willalso allow the industry to identify possibleways of improving manufacturing of highvolume phthalates.StabilisersCOMMITMENT The use ofcadmium in all stabiliser systemsplaced on the European marketwill be phased out within oneyear, taking into account thetechnical feasibility in line withCouncil Resolution of 25 January1988 (88/C30/01).No members of ESPA will sellsuch products in the EuropeanUnion, Norway and Switzerland,and that EuPC will communicateto its members not to usecadmium based stabilisers.The stabiliser industry devotes a lot ofresources to developing newer stabilisersystems. Liquid stabiliser systems used tobe based entirely on barium/cadmium(Ba/Cd) systems. They are now basedon barium/zinc (Ba/Zn) or calcium/zinc(Ca/Zn) systems. Cadmium basedsystems have been reduced to 230tonnes in 1998, from a total thatexceeded 16,000 tonnes 15 years ago.COMMITMENT Currently there isno unacceptable risk identified in theuse of cadmium stearate and lauratewhich would preclude thecontinued recycling of theseproducts. ESPA members willcontinue to work with theCommission on targeted riskassessment for such products.In December 2000 ESPA sent a letter tothe customers of its members confirmingthat no ESPA members will sell suchproducts after March 2001.In the spirit of the VoluntaryCommitment, the four PVC industryassociations will work together towardsthe use of alternatives to cadmium basedstabilisers.The EU targeted risk assessment oncadmium based stabilisers is ongoing anda report will be issued by the CSTEE inMarch 2001. ESPA is awaiting thepublication of this report in the nearfuture.The ESPA members producing leadstabilisers are now registered as aconsortium under the CEFIC and ICCA8 Voluntary commitment progress report

COMMITMENT ESPA memberswill continue to research anddevelop alternative stabilisers to thewidely used and highly effectivelead-based systems.COMMITMENT ESPA willproduce yearly statistics showingwhich stabilisers are purchased bythe converters. It will also producestatistics showing which stabilisersare being used in window andprofile production, pipe and cableapplications.programmes. Targeted risk assessmentson the 9 lead compounds used in thelead stabilisers are underway. Themethodology used will be the same asthat for the EU cadmium compoundstargeted risk assessments and approvedby the CSTEE.In 1999, ESPA members spentapproximately 5 million euro on researchinto lead stabilisers. In December 2000,ESPA sent a letter to the customers ofits members in order to encourage leadsubstitution.Tonnes of stabiliser systems 1997 1998 1999Formulated Lead Stabiliser 1 111,920 112,383 117,995Formulated Solid Stabilisers – 1,401 940 259containing cadmium 2 71 tonnes Cd 33 tonnes Cd 21 tonnes CdFormulated Mixed Metal Solid Stabilisers eg. Statistics not 14,494 16,701Ca/Zn systems 3collectedTin Stabilisers 4 14,886 15,241 16,342Liquid Stabilisers – Ba/Zn or Ca/Zn 5 16,168 16,404 16,527Liquid Stabilisers – containing Cadmium 6 368 230 14833 tonnes Cd 17 tonnes Cd 10 tonnes CdNote: Formulated means that these systems are complete stabiliser/lubricant packages and also may includepigments, fillers as a service to the customer.1 Used in pipe and profiles for construction and in electrical cables.2 Used only in construction profiles3 Includes food-contact and medical applications plus all the lead replacement systems4 Used primarily in rigid applications including food-contact use5 Used in the wide range flexible PVC application, calendered sheet, flooring etc.6 Used in flexible and rigid applications. This used to be the primary stabiliser system for flexible applicationsbut has decreased to very low use levels.Tonnes of stabiliser systems Pipes Cables Profiles1998Formulated Solid Cadmium Stabilisers 0 0 940Formulated Lead Stabilisers 35,902 20,418 54,427Formulated Mixed Metal Solid Stabilisers 903 6,820 5,630Tin Stabilisers 160 0 1091999Formulated Solid Cadmium Stabilisers 0 0 202Formulated Lead Stabilisers 37,630 20,235 58,721Formulated Mixed Metal Solid Stabilisers 1,426 6,276 8,470Tin Stabilisers 302 0 247ESPA has published statistics for thethree main uses of lead in 1997, 1998 &1999 (see table left). Figures for 2000 willbe published shortly. This informationgives a clear picture by application.It is important to understand that thesetonnage figures shown in these tablesrepresent sales to EU Countries, plusNorway and Switzerland. Some of thePVC products made with these stabilisersare exported, but stabilisers included inimported PVC products (very limitedvolumes) are not included.There is currently pressure on leadstabiliser systems, which are used inparticular for drinking water pipes,where such uses of lead have wideregulatory approval, based on a properrisk assessment.Brigitte DeroSecretary GeneralESPAVoluntary commitment progress report 9

Geoffroy TillieuxIssues ManagerEuPCE. Waste ManagementThe Voluntary Commitment ManagementCommittee has committed to funding allthe projects detailed within the projectupdate sections of this report.COMMITMENT The PVCindustry will examine how recyclingschemes already operating in someEuropean countries (e.g. Germanscheme for PVC window frames aswell as several schemes for pipes)could be expanded for use in otherEU countries.An inventory of existing PVC recyclingschemes has been compiled for variousapplication sectors, including pipes,window frames, flooring, roofing, cables,insulation membranes and coated fabrics.COMMITMENT By the end of2002 the industry will haveidentified the generation andsources of processing andinstallation waste to set meaningfulimprovement targets.EuPC is currently investigating thegeneration and sources of processingwaste through its sectoral associations,with the aim of identifying ways forfurther increasing the already highrecycling rate for this kind of waste.COMMITMENT The plasticspipe and fitting producersrepresented by TEPPFA, committo mechanically recycle increasingquantities of PVC pipes and fittingsat their end-of-life. Thecommitment is to recycle at least50% of the collected availablequantity of pipe and fittings wasteby 2005.Progress against this target will bereported annually to theEuropean Commission, andpublished from 2002 onwards.PROJECT UPDATEMechanical recycling of waste from plastic pipesFunding in 2001: 8 million euroTimescale: 2000 - 2005MECHANICAL RECYCLINGDuring 2000, The European Plastics Pipe and Fitting Association (TEPPFA) undertookthe following actions:• Established a plan for mobilising its members and National Associations.•Produced an inventory of the existing collection/recycling schemes in Sweden,Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Austria to help improve existing systems orset up new ones in all EU member states.• Set-up collection and recycling task-forces in all countries of the TEPPFA NationalAssociation countries.“Pipe waste made from other plastics is to be collected alongside that made from PVCand recycled to provide customers with a beneficial service that sets plastic pipesystems apart from those made from other materials,”says Roel van’t Veer of TEPPFA.For 2001 TEPPFA will concentrate on 3 priority countries:Germany, France and Spain. “For each of these countries,pipe collection and recycling scheme development plans willbe compiled,” explains Roel. “These will consist oforganisational requirements, an investment review and abusiness plan covering the period up to and including 2005.Outside of the priority countries, work will continue toestablish actual waste volumes and developcollection/recovery schemes in co-operation with thirdparties.”Roel van’t VeerProjects Co-ordinatorTEPPFA10 Voluntary commitment progress report

COMMITMENT The windowframe sector, represented byEuPC, commits to mechanicallyrecycle increasing quantities of PVCwindow frames at the end of life ofthis application. The commitment isto recycle at least 50% of thecollectable available quantity ofwindow profile waste by 2005.Progress against this target will bereported annually to the EuropeanCommission, and published from2002 onwards.COMMITMENT For otherpotential applications such as PVCcables, flooring and roofingmembranes, more work is neededin developing suitable logistics,technologies and reuse applications.The PVC industry is committed tosupporting these developments inorder to achieve higher mechanicalrecycling targets as soon aspossible.Whilst the existing capacity for recyclingpipes, roofing and window framesrequires further expansion, there ispotential of significantly increasing thecapacity for other application recyclingschemes.PROJECT UPDATEMechanical recycling of post consumer PVC windowsFunding in 2001: 1.04 million euroTimescale: 2000 - 2004MECHANICAL RECYCLING“The European PVC Window Profiles and related buildingProducts Association (EPPA) was founded as a sector groupof EuPC in March 2000” explains Ludo Debever, ExecutiveSecretary, EPPA. “It has been responsible for creating aworking group examining the recycling of PVC windowframes, involving experts from the European PVC windowindustry.”Ludo DebeverExecutive SecretaryEPPATo meet the PVC industry’s commitment in respect of window frame recycling, EPPAhas embarked on a project with three key phases:• Phase 1: Research realistic figures on end-of-life PVC window frame volumes.This phase has been completed.• Phase 2 (January – June 2001): Research the most effective methods to increasepost-consumer window frame collection, carried out by independent consultantsTNO. Also examine existing national initiatives, cost calculation, Europeanmanagement structure for co-ordination of recycling schemes and best practice.• Phase 2b (July – December 2001): Develop a business and communication plan.Begin implementation of collection and recycling scheme.• Phase 3 (2002-2004): Further expansion of schemes in function of researchrecommendation & commitment targets.”Voluntary commitment progress report 11

PROJECT UPDATEMECHANICAL RECYCLINGThe Vinyloop ® ProcessSolvay Ferrara Project – development of Vinyloop ® TechnologyInvestment: 10 million euroTimescale: 2001 - 2002Capacity: 10,000 tonnes per annumThe Ferrara project is a joint venture between Solvin, Solvay and partners in the cableprocessing and recycling businesses. It will be the first opportunity to test the Vinyloop ®composite recycling technology on an industrial scale.Vinyloop ® is a solvent based technology, where PVC is first dissolved and then selectivelyfiltered and precipitated. It is best suited for composite material (containing PVC andother substances). The compound obtained is of very high quality and closed-looprecycling back into the same application is possible for most of the material treated.Patrick Crucifix, President of Vinyloop Ferrara SpA and Vinyloop ® Project Leader,explains: “The scale-up from the 70 kg of PVC compounds, in the pilot plant, to 25,000kg per day at the Ferrara plant is a real challenge. Our goal is to guarantee the quality ofthe re-generated PVC compound, and we intend to get the ISO certification in a veryshort period of time after the start-up.“Construction at Ferrara in Italy started in March 2001 and we should be able to recycleour first batch in November 2001,” believes Patrick. “10,000 tonnes of PVC postconsumerwaste per year will be re-generated.“This first industrial application will help us consolidate the Vinyloop ® process andimprove its efficiency, we can increase capacity throughout Europe for other compositePVC applications. In the difficult area of PVC composite wastes, the Vinyloop ® processwill help the PVC industry to meet the targets of the Voluntary Commitment”12 Voluntary commitment progress report

PROJECT UPDATE MECHANICAL RECYCLING PROJECT UPDATE MECHANICAL RECYCLINGFerrari Project – development of Vinyloop TechnologyScheduled investment: 18 million euroTimescale: 2002 – 2006Capacity: 10,000 tonnes per annumFerrari, a medium-sized French company which specialises inmanufacturing products from PVC coated fabric (e.g. tarpaulins,tents, tensile roofing, advertising panels), initiated a researchproject with its PVC resin supplier (Solvin) to find the bestsolution for recycling coated fabrics.“Finding a solution to the end-of-life management of ourproducts will help us grow the market for our products,” saysRomain Ferrari.“Whilst using the same core technology as the Solvay Ferrara,our project has its own special requirements. In particular, therecycling of a product with such a high fibre content, as used byFerrari to manufacture their products, necessitates additionalresearch into the Vinyloop ® technology and marketing of thisrecovered product.”“The project will involve the construction of a recycling plantwith a capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes per annum, scheduled tobegin operating by the end of 2003. Complimentary studies onthe treatment fibres will be undertaken in 2001. The results willbe relevant for the whole coated fabrics sector.”EPFloor ProjectFunding in 2001: 0.45 million euroTimescale: 2001The European PVC Flooring group(EPFloor) is an EuPC sector group.“Recycling of PVC flooring is not new,”explains Simon Kroon of EPFloor.“Most flooring scrap is currentlyrecovered internally by the industry.However, mechanical recycling of postconsumer flooring in Europe is currently limited (ca. 1,500tonnes in 1999) due to quality issues with the waste generated.”“To tackle this problem, the PVC flooring industry has unitedwithin EPFloor to investigate new methods of collection andrecycling. We are currently assessing Vinyloop ® and feedstockrecycling as technology options, as well as investigatingcollection methods and the market potential for recyclate.”Key EPFloor milestones for 2001 will be:• Testing of recyclate within flooring producing companies tobe concluded by the end of April;• Preliminary business plan for setting-up recycling capacityand final decision on technology in June;• Presentation of ‘business concept’ and request for fundingfrom the Voluntary Commitment Management Committee inOctober.COMMITMENT The PVC industrycommits to develop the use ofhigh-quality mechanically recycledPVC in new products. It isimportant to bear in mind that thePVC industry has already developeda systematic take back scheme forproduction waste and will developsimilar schemes for installation andtransformation waste.Whenever mechanical recycling is themost sustainable waste managementoption, PVC converters are working todevelop the appropriate collection andrecovery systems, as described for pipesand window frames above.The use of recycled PVC in newproducts will be promoted through thedevelopment of product standards.A complete plastics recyclingstandardisation programme has beenpresented to CEN and EU Commissionby EuPC and APME.Voluntary commitment progress report 13

Construction of the Tavaux pilotplant was completed on timeand the rigorous process of a fullplant commissioning has begun.Rolf BuhlChairman, ECVM feedstock recycling steering groupPVC WasteOxygen,Steam, SandRealisation of the slagbath gasificationfeedstock recyclingprocess at TavauxOther ChlorinatedProduct StreamsAll existing, butoutside battery limitsof the pilot plantFeedstock RecyclingPilot PlantSlag BathGasificationHCl, CO,H 2 , ImpuritiesGas CoolingDedustingRecovery UnitHCl forOn-Site UsageDetailed SamplingDetailed SamplingDetailed SamplingCOMMITMENT PVC producerscommit to invest 3 million euro by2001 in a pilot plant, with theobjective to recover the chlorineand hydrocarbons. Depending onthe outcome (expected for middleof 2002) a decision on the buildingof a commercial scale plant willbe made.SlagDetailed SamplingDetailed SamplingFilter DustSteam(Process Heating)DisposalRecycling(Construction Material)DisposalPROJECT UPDATETavaux Pilot Plant – development of feedstock recyclingInvestment committed: 3.3 million euroTimescale: 1999 – 2002Capacity: 2,000 tonnes per annumFEEDSTOCK RECYCLINGConstruction of the Tavaux pilot plant was completed on time and the rigorousprocess of a full plant commissioning has begun. ECVM and its project partners areinvesting 3.3 million euro in the project to establish a proven feedstock recyclingprocess for exploitation on a commercial scale.European PVC producers took the initiative back in 1995 to investigate potentialfeedstock recycling technologies and made the commitment in 1999 to build a pilotplant with a capacity of 2,000 tons per annum at Tavaux in France. The plant employsa slag bath gasification process to recover hydrochloric acid and syngas for use by PVCproducers.“The purpose of the trial is to demonstrate that complex materials, including laminatesand co-extrusions, can be handled effectively,” explains Rolf Bühl, chairman of thefeedstock recycling pilot plant steering group. “The first waste stream to beintroduced will be PVC cables. We will then move on to coated fabrics, flooring andother wastes to determine the effects of varying chlorine contents and different fillers.“Throughout the trials we will vary parameters to determine the most efficientmethod for cracking waste products into their different components, achieving thehighest rates of hydrochloric acid and syngas recovery for use in PVC production,”says Rolf. “Initial assessments against the success criteria for this technology areexpected later this year and a decision will be taken in 2002 for expanding the plant toa commercial scale.”14 Voluntary commitment progress report

COMMITMENT Other potentialfeedstock recycling processes willbe investigated in parallel by thePVC industry. It is assumed, thatby the year 2005, feedstockrecycling will make a substantialcontribution to the treatment ofPVC rich plastic waste.PROJECT UPDATE FEEDSTOCK RECYCLING PROJECT UPDATE FEEDSTOCK RECYCLINGDOW/BSL Project – development of feedstock recyclingFunding: 0.25 million euroTimescale: 2001Capacity: Potentially15,000 tonnes per annum when fullydevelopedIn addition to constructing their own feedstock recycling pilotplant at Tavaux, under the Voluntary Commitment financialsupport is also being provided for the development offeedstock recycling trials of mixed rigid and flexible PVC wasteat an existing plant in Schkopau, Germany, operated byDOW/BSL.“This plant operates a rotary kiln incineration process,designed to recover hydrochloric acid and energy,” explainsRolf Bühl, chairman of the feedstock recycling steering group.“During 2001 a 1,000 tonne trial will be conducted usingvarious PVC waste products from a number of sources. If thistrial is successful, there is the potential for expanding atSchkopau by contracting to recycle up to 15,000 tonnes perannum. The output will be purified hydrochloric acid for use inchlorine and PVC production.”Stigsnaes Project – development of feedstock recyclingFunding: 0.26 million euroTimescale: 2001 - 2002Capacity: Potentially 50,000 tonnes per annum when fullydevelopedA further feedstock recycling development project isreceiving financial support under the Voluntary Commitmentat an existing 50,000 tonne hydrolysis plant at Stigsnaes inDenmark. This project also has the support of the DanishEnvironmental Protection Agency.Here, mixed rigid and flexible PVC waste is recycled in a twostep process. The first step is thermal hydrolysis, yielding anaqueous sodium chloride (salt) solution, which when purifiedis discharged into the nearby Baltic Sea. In the second stepthe remaining fraction is treated in a gradual pyrolysis processto recover the hydrocarbons, fillers and heavy metals forreuse in the industry.Testing of the existing hydrolysis plant with PVC wasteproducts will commence in the second quarter of 2001. If theresults are positive, pyrolysis equipment will be built andtested before the end of 2002. At the end of the trial, adecision will be taken, towards the end of 2002, whether ornot to modify the existing plant to make use of its fullcapacity.Tavaux feedstock recycling pilot plantVoluntary commitment progress report 15

PROJECT UPDATEFEEDSTOCK RECYCLINGF. Management and Financial SchemeREDOP Project – dehydrochlorination of mixed plastic from MSWFunding: 0.03 million euroTimescale: 2001 - 2002Capacity: To be confirmedThis is a project, based in the Netherlands, designed to develop a process for usingmixed plastics with limited (specified) chlorine content as a reducing agent in blastfurnaces. A consortium of organisations, including the steel producer Corus, theAssociation of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe, European PVC Producers and theirpartners is supporting this project.The process begins with dehydrochlorination and granulation of the waste. Thegranules are then injected into a steel-making blast furnace, as a substitute for coke. Apilot plant will be built and trialed during 2001. Following a positive outcome to thetrial in 2002 the process will open the potential for treating large quantities of mixedplastics, including PVC.COMMITMENT The PVC industrycommits to support technologydevelopments in order to minimisethe quantities of salt residuesproduced and develop purificationtechnologies, with the objective torecover the salt to be reused inchemical processes, and minimisethe final residues to be disposed.The PVC industry has created an experttask force to study issues around saltresidues and find the most promisingmethods and technology for furtherdevelopment. The PVC industry has setup a pilot plant at Rosignano in Italy torecycle, as a raw material, the residualsalts of gas treatment coming fromincineration. After a positive trial period,there is now an industrial scale plantunder construction in France.Eight new projects contributing to theVoluntary Commitment objectives havebeen selected and launched in 2000 inaddition to the Tavaux pilot plant.• TEPPFA Project (pan European)• EPPA Project (Pan European)• Solvay Ferrara Project (Italy)• Ferrari Project (France)• EPFloor Project (Pan European)• BSL Project (Germany)• Stigsnaes Project (Denmark)• REDOP Project (Netherlands)Actual funding of some of these projectsstarted in 2000. For 2000 the Presidentsof ECVM, ESPA, ECPI and EuPC haveapproved financial contributions addingup to 12 million euro in 2001.The Voluntary CommitmentManagement Committee (VCMC) wascreated in May 2000 and met six timesduring 2000. It has been instrumental inselecting the projects and providing earlyfunding and guidance. It has alsoCOMMITMENT Sufficientinvestment is important to underpinthe PVC industry’s commitments.For this reason, the PVC industrywill provide a meaningful level ofresources to support the VoluntaryCommitment.COMMITMENT A ManagementCommittee will be created tomanage the process described inthe Voluntary Commitment.developed a common view regarding themost suitable structural and legalframework to ensure efficientmanagement of all activities related tothe Voluntary Commitment.The Voluntary CommitmentManagement Committee16 Voluntary commitment progress report

6 Key Milestones for 2001This is expected to lead to statutoryagreements being signed in 2001and thefoundation of a legal entity that willmanage the Voluntary Commitmentfunds to make sure the PVC industryreaches the targets that have been set.COMMITMENT A rolling threeyearframework programme willbe proposed by the ManagementCommittee, and approved by theindividual associations, describingthe projects selected in order tomeet the industry commitments asset out in section 2 of theVoluntary Commitment (with theexclusion of the existing feedstockrecycling pilot plant).The VCMC has mapped out theexpected progress and funding needs ofthe projects over the period 2001 –2003. All parties acknowledge the needfor continuity in project support andfunding over periods extending beyondone year. Provisions to ensure suchcontinuity will be included in thestatutory agreements currently underdevelopment.Quarter 2• ESPA members stop selling cadmium based stabilisersystems.• EU targeted risk assessment on cadmium based stabilisersystems due to be issued.• ESPA publishes 2000 statistics for the three main usesof lead.• First batches of PVC waste introduced at Tavaux feedstockrecycling plant in France.•• Trial starting at DOW/BSL recycling in Schkopau.Quarter 3• European Commission issues communication on EU policyfor PVC across Europe.• ECVM and EMCEF seminar in Warsaw for industrymanagers and HS&E experts in all countries that haveapplied to join the European Union.• EU risk Assessments on DBP, DEHP, DINP, DIDP and BBPdue for completion.• EPPA begin implementation of plans for window framewaste collection and recycling across Europe.• Trial start at hydrolysis plant at Stigsnaes in Denmark.Quarter 4Updated PVC LCA published by the Association of PlasticsManufacturers in Europe.• First batches of PVC cable waste recycled via Vinyloop®process at Ferrara in Italy.• ECVM confirms compliance with S-PVC Charter for PVCproduction at all member company plants.• Plastic pipe collection and recycling scheme developmentplans compiled by TEPPFA for Germany, France and Spain.• Completion of PVC waste feedstock recycling trial at BSLplant in Schkopau, Germany.• Construction of pilot plant and initial trials completed forREDOP Project in the Netherlands.The second Voluntary Commitment annual progress report willbe published at the end of March, 2002. This report will beexternally verified by an independent third party.Voluntary commitment progress report 17

7 Glossary of TermsDefinitions for some of the terms usedwithin this report are provided below:AdditivesMaterials that are blended with polymersto make them easy to process and givethe physical properties required in theend-application. Before PVC can bemade into products, it has to becombined with a range of specialadditives. The essential additives for allPVC materials are heat stabilisers andlubricants; in the case of flexible PVC,plasticisers are also incorporated. Otheradditives that may be used include fillers,processing aids, impact modifiers andpigments.Best available techniques (BAT)BAT is the latest stage in development ofactivities or methods which indicate thesuitability of techniques for preventing orminimising emissions to theenvironment, without predeterminingany specific technology or othertechniques.CSTEEScientific Committee for Toxicity,Ecotoxicity and the Environment.The CSTEE is a high level independentadvisory committee of the EuropeanCommission on scientific and technicalquestions relating to the toxicity andecotoxicity of chemical, biochemical andbiological compounds whose use mayhave harmful consequences for humanhealth and the environment. Its advice isrequested by the Commission on newdevelopments that may cause concernfor consumer health.Emulsion PVCEmulsion PVC (E-PVC) is producedusing water, vinyl chloride monomer andan initiator soluble in water. EmulsionPVC applications are mostly plastisolsand calendering, profiles, flooring,wallcoverings, coated fabrics andsealants.End-of-lifeThe final stage in a material or productlifecycle. Materials or products at theend of their life can no longer be re-usedand must be sent for recycling, energyrecovery or disposal.Feedstock recyclingFeedstock recycling is a form of materialrecycling, particularly well suited tomixed plastics waste. The technologybreaks plastics down into their chemicalconstituents. These can be used asbuilding blocks for a wide range of newindustrial intermediate and consumerproducts. In effect, the plastics arereprocessed at the place of origin,the petrochemical complex.Horizontal initiativeIn 1997, as part of the debate onmanaging end-of-life vehicles, theEuropean Commission embarked on theHorizontal Initiative. The purpose of thisreview was to gather information onenvironmental and socio-economicfactors associated with the PVC lifecycle,focusing particularly on wastemanagement.Industry charterECVM has two industry charters, onecovering production of PVC by thesuspension process and the othercovering PVC produced by theemulsion process. These charterscontain tough environmental standardsfor production and give commitmentsof cross-industry co-operation andagreement including research, sharingenvironmental control expertise andworking with stakeholder groups.IncinerationThe burning of material to convert it,at least partly to gases, to reduce itsbulk and sometimes recover the energyit contains.Incineration (with energy recovery) isimportant as a sustainable wastemanagement option for PVC.LandfillLandfills are carefully engineered wastedisposal sites. Their aim is to provide asafe and controlled environment intowhich waste can be deposited andwhere it is subject to biologicalbreakdown. Engineering solutions areemployed to ensure that landfills do notcause pollution in the form of emissionsto water and air, or have a negativevisual impact on the surroundinglandscape.Lifecycle assessmentLifecycle assessment (LCA) is atechnique for assessing the potentialenvironmental impacts throughout aproduct’s life (i.e. cradle-to-grave) fromraw material acquisition throughproduction, use and disposal.18 Voluntary commitment progress report

Mechanical recyclingThe process by which an end-of-lifeproduct is reprocessed into the same oralternative second-life applications. In thecase of thermoplastics that reprocessingwill be melt processing very similar tothat originally used.Mechanical recycling makes ecologicaland economic sense whenever sufficientquantities of homogeneous, separatedand sorted waste streams can be madeavailable. Products collected for recyclingthis way include bottles, flooring, pipes,roof coverings and window profiles.OSPARCOMThe Convention for the Protection ofthe Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic was opened for signature atthe Ministerial Meeting of the Oslo andParis Commissions in Paris during 1992.This is concerned with the pollution ofthe sea by materials originating on land.Most of the countries bordering theNorth East Atlantic area, the North Seaand the Baltic Sea are represented.PlasticiserThese are organic compounds,sometimes mixed with polymers tomake a more flexible plastic.The commonest plasticisers are thephthalates, adipates and citrates. Byproduct type, some 35 per cent of PVCis used for plasticised applications.PolymerAn organic material composed of longchainmolecules made up of manymonomer units. Most polymers have achain backbone of carbon atoms.Polymers are almost always blendedwith additives before use. Plastics =polymers + additives.RecyclingThe conversion of materials from endof-lifeproducts into second lifeapplications. This second life may be arepeat of the first or something entirelydifferent.RecyclableA material or product that is capable ofbeing recovered via mechanical orfeedstock recycling is said to berecyclable.Renewable resourceResources that can be reproduced bynatural processes at a rate that matchesor exceeds human consumption, e.g.salt, solar energy. Non-renewableresources are produced by naturalprocesses, but at a slower rate thanhuman consumption, e.g. oil, coal,natural gas.Responsible Care ®Responsible Care ® is the world-widechemical industry’s commitment tocontinual improvement in all aspects ofhealth, safety and environmentperformance and to openness incommunication about its activities andachievements. National chemicalindustry associations are responsible forthe detailed implementation ofResponsible Care ® in their countries.StabiliserA stabiliser is a complex mixturedesigned to have a preventative andcurative action in PVC, during processingand to protect the product during its life,including photodegredation.PVC degrades by dehydrochlorination,autooxidation and mechanochemicalchain scission and the stabiliser has toprevent these different mechanisms.It also has to remove polyene sequenceswhich give rise to colour development.Suspension PVCSuspension PVC (S-PVC) is producedusing water, vinyl chloride and aninitiator that is soluble in the monomer.The main applications for this type ofPVC are pipes, cables, rigid profiles,building applications and injectionmoulding.Sustainable developmentThe Brundtland Commission describedthe challenge of sustainabledevelopment as “meeting the needs ofthe present without compromising theability of future generations to meettheir own needs”. This encompasses acombination of environmental, socialand economic criteria.VCMVinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) is themonomer building block for theproduction of the PVC polymer.Voluntary commitment progress report 19

AbbreviationsAgPUBBPCEFICCENCSTEEDBPDEHPDINPDIDPDG EnterpriseDG EnvironmentEMCEFEPPAE-PVCECPIECVMArbeitsgemeinschaft PVC undUmwelt eVbutylbenzyl phthalateEuropean Chemical IndustryCouncilEuropean Committee forStandardisationScientific Committee forToxicity, Ecotoxicity and theEnvironmentdi-butyl phthalatedi-2-ethylhexyl phthalatediisononyl phthalatediisodecyl phthalateDirectorate General EnterpriseDirectorate GeneralEnvironmentEuropean Mine, Chemical andEnergy Workers’ FederationThe European PVC WindowProfiles and Related BuildingProducts AssociationEmulsion PVCThe European Council forPlasticisers and IntermediatesThe European Council of VinylManufacturersESPAEuPCEUHS&EICCAISOLCAMSWMSWCMSWIPVCREDOPS-PVCTEPPFATNSUGTVCMVCMCThe European StabilisersProducers AssociationEuropean Plastics ConvertersEuropean UnionHealth, Safety and theEnvironmentInternational Council ofChemical AssociationsInternational StandardsOrganisationLifecycle AssessmentMunicipal Solid WasteMSW CombustionMSW IncinerationPolyvinyl chlorideREDuction of Ore in blastfurnace plants by PlasticSuspension PVCThe European Plastic Pipesand Fittings AssociationThe Natural StepSpanish Socialist Trade UnionVinyl Chloride MonomerVoluntary CommitmentManagement CommitteeThe Voluntary CommitmentManagement CommitteeFrom the left, Michael Rosenthal (President, ESPA), JoachimEckstein (Vice President, EuPC), Jean-Pierre Pleska (Chairman ofthe VCMC & ECVM), Jean-Pierre De Grève (Executive Director,ECVM), Brigitte Dero (General Secretary, ESPA), AlexandreDangis (Managing Director, EuPC), Tim Edgar (Deputy Director,ECPI), Herman Jansseune (Chairman, ECPI).20 Voluntary commitment progress report

8 The European PVC Industry AssociationsIf you would like more information on the Voluntary Commitment or any of the issues raised within this document, please contact anyof the organisations listed below:®The European Council of VinylManufacturers (ECVM)European Plastics Converters(EuPC)The European StabilisersProducers Associations (ESPA)The European Council forPlasticisers and Intermediates(ECPI)Represents the European PVC producingcompanies and is a division of theAssociation of Plastic Manufacturers inEurope (APME). Its membership includesthe 10 leading European PVC producerswhich together account for over 95 percent of Europe’s production of PVC resin.Avenue E van Nieuwenhuyse 4B-1160 BrusselsTel: + 32 2 676 74 43Fax: + 32 2 676 74 47www.ecvm.orgEuPC represents approximately 30,000,predominantly medium-sized, plasticprocessing operations in Europe. Thesecompanies have over one million peopleon their payrolls, 85% of whom workfor companies that employ less than100 people.The individual members combine toproduce a processing capacity ofmore than 30 million tonnes of plasticevery year.Avenue de Cortenbergh 66, Bte 4B-1000 BruxellesTel: + 32 2 732 41 24Fax: + 32 2 732 42 18www.eupc.orgESPA represents the whole of theEuropean stabilisers industry through itsfive branches:• European Lead Stabilisers Association(ELSA)• European Tin Stabilisers Association(ETINSA)• European Mixed Metal SolidStabilisers Association (EMMSSA)• European Liquid StabilisersAssociation (ELISA)• European Cadmium StabilisersAssociation (ECADSA)Avenue E van Nieuwenhuyse 4B-1160 BrusselsTel: + 32 2 676 72 86Fax: + 31 2 676 73 01ECPI represents the interests of 26member companies that are involved inthe production of plasticisers. Plasticisersare esters (mainly phthalates) which areused generally in the production of flexibleplastic products, predominantly PVC.Avenue E van Nieuwenhuyse 4B-1160 BrusselsTel: + 32 2 676 72 60Fax: + 32 2 676 73 01www.ecpi.org

Issue 1 March 2001VC01/2001