POLYVINYL-CHLORIDE (PVC)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Although being relatively stable, the West-E uropean use of PVC no longer attains quite the same high level as in 1 990. Low-cost imports, mainly from the former COMECON countries, aggra vate the unsatisfactory profit situation. Production capacities are ha rdly increased any more. A merging of manufacturing and processing cap acities is expected to reduce costs. The primary objective has been, a nd still is, a consistent and high quality through improvements within the process. The environmental discussion is being de-emotionalized. Instead of on spectacular new developments, the centre of emphasis in development is on the consistent adaptation of PVC to market requireme nts. Special mention should be made of the use in medicine, which is a small but rapidly growing market in which PVC holds by far the top po sition.