Cleveland — PVC compounders are tackling opportunities and challenges as the midway point of the 2020s approaches.
Executives in that market took part in a panel Nov. 13 at AMI Plastics World Expos in Cleveland. Current PVC compound opportunities include jacketing on data cables used in AI and cloud computing data centers, according to Mike Patel, marketing director with Teknor Apex Co. in Pawtucket, R.I.
Patel also cited infrastructure, housing and health care as good markets for PVC compounds.
PVC compounders are designing for recyclability in rigid and flexible packaging, said Tribu Persaud, director at Norwich Plastics in Cambridge, Ontario. There are also opportunities in many devices where suppliers want to lower their carbon footprint.
PVC compounds remain vital because "people need water and power and somewhere to live," according to Lou Brandeweide, technology director with Aurora Material Solutions in Streetsboro, Ohio. He added there are opportunities for the materials in windows, siding and decking in starter homes and other affordable housing.
Challenges facing PVC compounders include the retirement of market veterans who have large amounts of institutional knowledge, Persaud said.
Brandeweide added PVC compounders "are waiting for the building and construction market to come back" and are dealing with environmental pressures and misinformation about the material.
Energy regulations have become increasingly stringent, according to Patel. "We need to address how to innovate with PVC," he said.
The use of recycled content also is driving demand for PVC compounds, but that also requires suppliers to know about the content of recycled material.
"You have to understand where your [PVC] scrap is coming from and what can be done with it," Persaud said.
"Recyclate is another raw material and needs to be treated as such," Brandeweide added.