Polyvinylchloride

This paper combines data on production, on processing and formulating, on application, on the waste stream and on the possibilities for recycling polyvinyl chloride insofar as such data has relevance for an assessment of environmental impact. It is intended to help place the PVC debate on a factually well-founded basis. The paper describes many, but not all facets of the environmental effects of a common plastic. This book is based on work carried out at the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems Technology and Innovations Research and particularly on a report drawn up on the order of the Research Centre Julich (Gaensslen, H. , Sordo, M. , TOtsch, W. : Production, Processing and Recycling of PVC. Order Number 011/41072711/930, April 1989). We would like to express our thanks to Dr. Kollmann of KFA Julich for placement of this order. This book would not have come into being but for the assistance given by many colleagues. Magdalena Sordo carried out valuable preliminary work which forms the basis of many parts of the book. We would like to thank the following as representatives of our other colleagues: Eberhard BOhm for proof reading, Gunther Heger for the data base researches and Joachim Waibel for producing the illustrations. The book has been translated by H. P. Kaufmann, Technical Translations, Marketing & Advisory Services, London. We are especially grateful to Harold M. Clayton and his colleagues at Hydro Polymers Ltd for proof-reading the English manuscript. vii Contents Preface 1.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 1.1 Production and retention within the country.- 1.2 Product range.- References.- 2. Manufacture of polyvinyl chloride.- 2.1 Manufacture of chlorine.- 2.2 Manufacture of ethylene.- 2.3 Manufacture of acetylene.- 2.4 Manufacture of vinyl chloride (VCM).- 2.5 Polymerization of vinyl chloride.- 3. Emissions caused by the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride.- 3.1 Mercury.- 3.2 Chlorine.- 3.3 Vinyl chloride.- 3.4 Emissions into effluent.- 3.5 By-products in the manufacture of vinyl chloride.- 3.6 PVC dust emissions.- 3.7 Ecobalance data (life cycle analysis).- References.- 4. Processing of polyvinyl chloride.- 4.1 Processing methods.- 4.2 Composition of PVC compounds.- 4.3 Emissions in processing.- 4.4 Examples of PVC products.- 5. Polyvinyl chloride in waste.- 5.1 Occurrence of PVC residues.- 5.2 Waste occurring in manufacturing industry.- 5.3 Scrap occurring in domestic refuse.- 5.4 Contribution of PVC to the harmful substances content of municipal waste.- References.- 6. Recycling of PVC waste.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Single material PVC residues.- 6.3 Solvent extraction.- 6.4 Separation of mixed plastics scrap.- 6.5 Recycling of mixed plastics scrap without separation.- 6.6 Pyrolysis of PVC containing plastics scrap.- 6.7 Hydrocracking of PVC containing plastics scrap.- 6.8 Waste incineration.- References.- 7. Current recycling activities.- 7.1 List of firms carrying out recycling.- 7.2 Postconsumer Recycling.- References.- 8. Summary.