FAQ
QUESTION: What is AUTOVINYLE' s long-term objective?
ANSWER: The waste field of plasticized PVC can be assessed at 10 000 tonnes by year and so could be recycled.
QUESTION: What are the main applications of recycled PVC products?
ANSWER: AUTOVINYLE and recyclers have investigated different applications. For more information see Recycled PVC Applications.
QUESTION: How to become a member of AUTOVINYLE association?
ANSWER: Get in touch with René Maillot.
QUESTION: What kinds of PVC does AUTOVINYLE deal with ?
ANSWER: Plasticized PVC used by automotive industry, and specially dashboard, seat, door panel, carpet, cable and electrical harness coatings, sun visors, boots...
QUESTION: Who has to be contacted for recycling of automotive PVC waste ?
ANSWER: Get in touch with: Alain Rémy.
QUESTION: Can recycled PVC be recycled ?
ANSWER: As other thermoplastics, PVC can be recycled several times without any loss in performance.
QUESTION: Is it possible to recycle automotive PVC?
ANSWER: As other thermoplastics, PVC can be recycled if and when used parts are easily dismantled and different materials are split off at acceptable cost.
QUESTION: Are there drawbacks to use recycled PVC ?
ANSWER: No, manufacturing processes are as accurate as for new material. However, specification range is larger than for new material. It is a rule for all recycled materials. In any case specifications of user have to be fulfilled (see technical data sheets of PVC recyclers)
QUESTION: Why all PVC products cannot be recycled ?
ANSWER: PVC recycling (as other plastics recycling) is possible, if:
- There are large and homogeneous enough PVC waste fields enabling an economic development
- A collection network of waste is well established and efficient, as ECO-EMBALLAGE for plastic bottles (PET, PEHD, PVC...) or car dismantlers for ELV.
- Sorting technologies are available.
Moreover, in the case of automotive industry, some parts have a poor dismantling ability due to an inadequate design and/or a low weight. These parts cannot be dismantled and sorted by using the current technologies and they end up in Automotive Shredder Residues.
QUESTION: Is PVC a hazardous product ?
ANSWER: No, it is not. PVC is worldwide approved for food contact packaging and by European pharmacopoeia for medical use.
QUESTION: Is PVC still used in the new cars ?
ANSWER: Yes, it is. All the new vehicles have PVC parts both in inner compartment and as exterior parts. PVC is very attractive for automotive industry, because it fits in with car manufacturers specifications thanks to its versatility, its technical properties, its cost and its recycling ability when the parts are properly designed for recycling.
QUESTION: Are new PVC applications for automotive industry considered ?
ANSWER: Yes, for instance, plasticized PVC has helped to new technical developments at a suited cost (for example, hidden airbag).
QUESTION: How many tonnes of plasticized PVC are used in Europe (all applications included)?
ANSWER: 2 400 000 tonnes are used per year including 120 000 tonnes in automotive applications.
