This was against a background of "adverse market conditions and the decrease in volumes of PVC waste in construction", European industry leaders said.
As well as the 800,000 tonnes-target by 2020 the new VinylPlus commitment includes a pledge to introduce a new certification and labelling scheme “designed to help users to identify and prioritise sustainably produced PVC, while also creating value for VinylPlus participants”.
The UK PVC industry had played an important part in the success of the recent recycling effort, according to British Plastics Federation public affairs director Philip Law.
“Almost 50,000 tonnes of long-life PVC building products were recycled in 2010. These programmes have certainly solidified PVC's market position in particular with public sector specifiers.
“We have been able to link the Vinyl2010 and VinylPlus achievements with our success in securing high scores for PVC building products in the Building Research Establishment's ‘Green Guide to Specification’ to present a formidable selling proposition for PVC,” he added.
But despite their positive outlook, industry leaders warned that meeting the 800,000 tonnes target would continue to depend on different stakeholders working together to stimulate the market for PVC recycling acorss the region.
Stefan Eingaertner, VinylPlus’ general manager, said the organisation was encouraged by the progress of the first recycling programme in what had been a very difficult climate.
“However, the need for cooperation is more important than ever in these times of austerity.
“Reaching our goals requires active support down the PVC value chain and a policy environment across Europe which continues to incentivise the diversion of waste from landfill and demand for recycled goods,” he added.
