Food production and consumption have a major impact on climate and the environment. More than one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from food systems, and agriculture consumes vast natural resources. Improving efficiency and reducing food waste are essential to feeding a growing world population.
PVC, or vinyl, plays a vital role throughout the food value chain — from agricultural machinery and greenhouses to food hoses, conveyor belts, and protective films. Its durability, chemical resistance, and hygienic properties make it ideal for applications where safety and cleanliness are essential.
PVC products used in contact with food are strictly regulated at EU level. The flexible PVC compounds used in food hoses and conveyor belts comply with EU standards on food contact materials and use approved plasticisers to ensure safety and performance.
Food-Grade Hoses
PVC hoses are widely used in food and beverage production, ensuring safe, hygienic, and efficient transport of liquids and ingredients. Their flexibility and strength make them easy to handle while withstanding pressure, temperature changes, and cleaning processes.
Food-grade PVC hoses meet all EU and national requirements for materials in contact with food and can be tailored for specific needs — from dairy and wine production to drinking water applications.
By replacing heavier materials such as steel, PVC helps reduce vehicle weight and emissions. It also enables innovative interiors, such as vegan leather seats used in electric cars, combining style with sustainability.
Conveyor Belts
In food processing, hygiene and reliability are paramount. PVC conveyor belts are available in various colours, surface textures, and hardness levels to meet specific production needs. Their smooth, non-porous surfaces are easy to clean and resistant to moisture, UV light, and cleaning agents such as those used in UV disinfection.
These properties make PVC conveyor belts a trusted solution across the food industry — helping ensure consistent product quality, hygiene, and efficiency.
Food Films
Flexible PVC films are used to wrap and preserve food, helping extend shelf life and reduce food waste. The film’s breathability allows controlled passage of oxygen and water vapour, preventing condensation and microbial growth.
Made with safe, approved plasticisers such as DEHA and ATBC, food-grade PVC film remains flexible even at low temperatures. Its cling, transparency, and strength make it a preferred choice for both industrial and household food packaging.
Cooling Profiles & Seals
PVC is widely used in both household and commercial cold-storage equipment. Flexible PVC door gaskets and seals create an airtight closure that minimises cold-air loss and supports energy efficiency. Rigid PVC profiles and liners provide durable, hygienic and easy-to-clean surfaces inside fridges and freezers. PVC-insulated power cords add electrical safety and flexibility.
The material’s resistance to low temperatures and long service life make it a dependable choice for everyday cold-chain performance.
Retail Visual Communication
PVC is widely used for shelf-edge and price-label profiles in supermarkets. Transparent flexible PVC protects labels from moisture and wear, while rigid PVC forms stable, easy-to-install holders for pricing and product information.
The plastic is also used for printed floor stickers and other in-store advertising elements, offering strong adhesion, durability and high-quality graphics. These properties support clear, consistent and long-lasting visual communication in busy retail environments. PVC is also commonly used in payment cards, adding durability and secure printability at the checkout.
Greenhouse Systems
PVC growing gutters and profiles are widely used in greenhouses to optimise irrigation and drainage, leading to higher yields and lower resource use. Hydroponic systems made with PVC can reduce water consumption by up to 95% compared with conventional agriculture.
PVC gutters have no migration of unwanted substances into plants or water and can be recycled after many years of use.
Transparent and durable PVC films are also used for greenhouse roofing and insulation, helping maintain stable growing conditions and energy efficiency.
In addition, PVC flooring and mats provide durable, slip-resistant, and easy-to-clean surfaces that withstand heavy use and moisture.
Windows, Doors and Flooring
PVC-U windows and doors are widely used in food-industry buildings thanks to their smooth, non-porous surfaces that are easy to clean and resist corrosion. They help maintain hygienic conditions and comply with EU food-hygiene requirements for washable building materials.
Flexible PVC swing and roll-up doors provide hands-free access and temperature separation between clean and cold areas. Their impact-resistant panels withstand heavy traffic and frequent washing without loss of performance.
Durable PVC (vinyl) flooring offers a seamless, easy-to-clean surface ideal for production zones and storage areas. It provides slip resistance, long service life, and full recyclability.
Cold Chain Protection
PVC strip curtains help maintain the cold chain during food storage and transport. Installed at the rear of refrigerated trucks or at the entrance to cold rooms, they minimise cold air loss and allow easy passage of goods and people without opening a full door.
Highly durable at low temperatures and easy to clean, PVC curtains help preserve food quality and energy efficiency across Europe’s tightly regulated cold-chain logistics.
Agricultural Machinery
Tractors, harvesters, and other agricultural machinery rely on PVC for hoses, cables, and protective components. PVC hoses transport fuels and hydraulic fluids, while PVC insulation protects electrical wiring and connectors from moisture and vibration.
In cabins and control areas, PVC seat covers, mats, and handles provide comfort, durability, and easy maintenance — all critical in demanding farming environments.
Irrigation Pipes
PVC irrigation pipes play a crucial role in modern agriculture by ensuring the efficient transport of water to fields and crops. Their smooth inner surface reduces friction losses, allowing water to flow with minimal energy consumption.
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and easy to install, PVC pipes enable farmers to design gravity-fed or low-pressure irrigation systems that make optimal use of terrain and natural slopes — often eliminating the need for pumps.
With a long service life and full recyclability, PVC irrigation systems contribute to sustainable water management and resource efficiency across European agriculture.
Protective Clothing
PVC rainwear, gloves, and boots are indispensable in the food sector, especially for workers in fishing, processing, and other wet environments. The material’s exceptional waterproofing and chemical resistance provide reliable protection against water, oils, and cleaning agents.
Modern PVC clothing is flexible, comfortable, and easy to sanitise — combining durability with hygiene and safety in demanding conditions.