Japanese PVC industry establish new Environmental interface
Jan. 7, 1998 The PVC industry has established a new entity specifically to deal with environmental measures. Funding
is equally shared by 17 PVC resin and vinyl chloride monomer manufacturers. It will promulgate the utility of PVC
resin and actively promote recycling. The industry has hitherto been tackling environmental problems via the Japan
PVC Association, but the new organisation will undertake aggressive promotional activities.
The myth that PVC is the main source of dioxin emissions has been spreading and a "flight from PVC" has begun to
appear in some quarters. To counter this misunderstanding an appeal to the public for a correct appreciation will be
launched, making copious use of scientific data. The budget for the first year is about JPY 1 bn ($ 7.8 mm).
The name of the new entity is the "Vinyl Environmental Council (VEC) " and it is launched on January 1. Chihiro
Kanagawa, president of Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., has assumed the chairmanship. A staff of about 10 is presently working
out a practical programme of activities, which is scheduled for completion by the middle of this month.