Around 70% of all PVC in Europe is used in building and construction, where products often remain in service for decades — sometimes more than a century. Unlike short-lived packaging plastics, PVC in construction delivers long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance. Modern PVC building products meet relevant regulations such as the EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and REACH.
PVC’s long service life, low environmental footprint, and ability to be recycled multiple times make it central to Europe’s circular economy goals. Through VinylPlus®, the European industry has established the longest-running and largest plastic recycling programme. Today, PVC has the highest recycling rates among plastics – with windows in Germany collected and recycled at rates as high as 90%
Windows & Doors
PVC windows and doors combine durability, energy efficiency, and affordability. They withstand harsh weather, including wind, rain, and salty air, while offering excellent insulation and natural flame-retardancy.
Unlike wooden frames, PVC requires no painting or chemical treatment, helping maintain indoor air quality and reducing maintenance costs.
With a lifespan of 50 years or more, PVC windows and doors can be recycled multiple times. In Germany, collection and recycling rates reach as high as 90%, and new frames may contain up to 70% recycled material without loss of performance.
Pipes & Fittings
PVC pipes and fittings are the backbone of Europe’s water and sewer infrastructure. Corrosion-resistant and extremely durable, they can last over 100 years underground. They also have a much lower environmental footprint and lower break rates than traditional materials, ensuring eco-efficient, reliable service over generations.
PVC pipes play a growing role in circular construction. New multilayer sewer pipes are produced with high shares of recycled PVC while still meeting strict quality standards. Studies show PVC can be recycled up to 10 times without losing its essential properties, underlining its circular potential.
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is used extensively in homes, schools, hospitals, factories, warehouses, shops, and public buildings thanks to its resilience, design versatility, and resistance to chemicals. It can last for decades, even in high-traffic or demanding environments.
Vinyl flooring complies with stringent EU regulations such as REACH and the Construction Products Regulation and often achieves high indoor air quality certifications, such as M1.
At the end of life, it can be recycled mechanically, and new advanced recycling technologies are making it possible to recycle older floors containing legacy additives safely and sustainably.
Roofing Membranes
PVC roofing membranes provide watertight protection with a lifespan of up to 50 years. They are lightweight, easy to install without open flames, and have a significantly lower CO₂ footprint per square metre than alternatives such as bitumen.
They are also enabling greener cities. PVC membranes are widely used in green roofs, which reduce stormwater runoff and improve biodiversity.
In use, they are naturally fire-safe and light-coloured, improving solar efficiency while remaining fully compatible with photovoltaic systems.
Unlike some alternatives, they do not release unwanted substances into rainwater.
At end of life, PVC roofing membranes are fully recyclable.
Cables & Conduits
PVC is Europe’s most used material for cables. Its excellent insulation properties, flexibility, and durability ensure safety and long service lives – up to 80 years.
PVC cables and conduits are also part of the circular economy. Since 2000, more than 1.8 million tonnes of PVC cables have been recycled in Europe.
Thanks to innovation, new formulations deliver very low smoke emissions and reduced toxicity in case of fire, meeting Europe’s strict Construction Products Regulation (CPR).
Rain Gutters & Downpipes
PVC gutters and downpipes offer excellent resistance to corrosion, extreme cold, and salty coastal air. They are lightweight, easy to install, and have a much lower climate footprint than many metal alternatives such as zinc or steel.
At the end of their service life, gutters and downpipes can be recycled into new building products. Their durability and recyclability make them a future-proof solution for managing rainwater in Europe’s changing climate.
Ceilings
Vinyl or PVC ceilings provide good acoustics, especially when combined with vinyl flooring and wall covering. They are colourful, easy to install and have the same flame-retardant properties as PVC flooring and wall covering.
Vinyl ceilings conceal unsightly ceilings on which pipes and cabling are installed. If such elements need to be reached for maintenance works the vinyl film is easy to remove and can be refitted afterwards