3 Key Takeaways from 2017

Each year for the vinyl industry is vastly different, but each year the vinyl industry is better and better. This year, the vinyl industry focused on continuously improving the industry and its perception. Here’s what we both learned and reaffirmed.

These are our top three takeaways from 2017.

Sustainability is a continuous improvement process.

In 2016, the vinyl industry took a leadership role by bringing together all facets of the vinyl value chain into a collaborative, self-funded business council called the Vinyl Business and Sustainability Council (VBSC). As 2017 comes to a close, this is just one step in a continuous improvement plan.

At the 2017 Vinyl360, vinyl industry insiders received an exclusive first look at the results of the industry-wide materiality analysis, discussed the research and its implications, and began to formulate next steps for addressing key hotspots.

As we walk into 2018, we invite you to engage with the VBSC to stay up-to-date on the next steps of our continuous improvement process.

Water infrastructure is an ongoing issue.

The nation’s water infrastructure is still an issue. Not a day goes by without a water main break, resulting in millions being spent to repair water mains and mend corrosion.

Historical local and state procurement specifications do not always allow utility contractors to consider installing PVC pipe (or other alternative materials) in water and sewer infrastructure projects. Research shows, however, that ductile iron pipe costs ratepayers about 30 percent more in closed-bid cities than it does for the same ductile iron pipe in open-bid cities where PVC and other alternative materials are allowed to compete for projects.

PVC pipe, which is 46 percent of the domestically consumed PVC resin market, offers unsurpassed reliability and durability. And there are a number of reasons that municipalities replace their aging iron pipes with PVC pipes.

Save the date for the 2018 Vinyl Industry Congressional Fly-in in Washington, DC, on June 19-20, to be part of the industry’s continuing fight for open competition.

Safety is the cornerstone of the vinyl industry.

The Vinyl Institute (VI) announced the recipients of its health, safety, and environmental awards, which are given to U.S. and Canadian companies in the vinyl industry for improving worker safety and protecting the environment. This year, VI recognized 43 facilities for outstanding performance.

Safety is the cornerstone of the North American vinyl industry. For nearly four decades the vinyl resin industry has designed and implemented worker safety best practices and new technologies that continuously improve our facilities’ health, safety, and environmental performance. VI recently talked with employees at one member company about their commitment to safety and what it means to them, their families and their community.

In 2018, we plan to continue to celebrate the vinyl industry supply chain as companies prioritize the safety of their workers and the environment.