PVC Prices and News
Unlike other polymers that are derived from crude oil and natural gas, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is part of the chlor-alkali industry. The main raw material used to produce PVC is sodium chloride. Caustic soda and chlorine are made via the electrolysis of sodium chloride. While caustic soda has its own uses, ethylene dichloride (EDC) is made by the chlorination of ethylene and chlorine, and is used primarily in the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). In the final stage, PVC is produced by polymerization of VCM.
PVC is divided into two categories: emulsion PVC and suspension PVC. While emulsion PVC (E-PVC) has a limited area of use, suspension PVC (S-PVC) enjoys a greater area of use. S-PVC grades are characterized by K values. K67-68 is the most commonly used PVC type. PVC K67-68 is used in profile and pipe applications and has a direct relation to the construction industry. Due to its dependence on the construction sector, PVC is also directly affected by the economic performance of countries, either positively or negatively.
PVC K64-65 is also used in the manufacture of pipes and profiles. K58 is used in rigid applications, such as injection molding, and the manufacture of credit cards and food packaging. K70 is used in the manufacture of shoes, cables, hoses, shower curtains, tablecloths and stationery.
Looking at the top buyers and sellers on a country-based breakdown, the USA is at the top of the list of largest exporters with a market share of more than 20%. Taiwan is the second largest PVC supplier, followed by Germany. India is the top PVC buyer in global markets by a long way. Although China has reduced its dependence on imports with new PVC capacities it has commissioned over the last 20 years, it still ranks as the second largest PVC importer in the world. In addition, China has the world's largest acetylene-based PVC capacities. China is followed by Türkiye and Italy, having almost the same level of market share in PVC imports.
ChemOrbis Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) prices and Plastics News section contain information on the market trends, as well as supply-demand factors and production costs that determine the pricing, statistics on imports and exports, along with maintenance shutdowns, restarts, and new capacities related to PVC facilities.
Products:
E-PVC, S-PVC K67-68, S-PVC K70, S-PVC K64-65, S-PVC K58, S-PVC K67-68 (Acetylene), S-PVC K64-65 (Acetylene), S- PVC K70 (Acetylene)