25 June, 2009
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An Australian PVC industry voluntary initiative to phase out use of lead stabilisers in pipe has been achieved by all members of the Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA).
Although there is no evidence of any significant issues associated with the use of lead stabilisers in pipe or in pipe installation, PVC pipe signatories to the Australian PVC industry’s Product Stewardship Program agreed in 2002 to phase out the use of lead stabilisers in pipes and fittings by the end of 2008 due to community concerns of upstream environmental and health issues associated with lead.
Data collected by the Vinyl Council of Australia for the 2008 annual progress report of the Program due for release shortly, shows that PIPA members manufacturing PVC pipe have phased out lead by the Program’ deadline.
Lead stabilisers have not been used in potable water pipes by major manufacturers since the late 1980s. With increasing supply of alternative stabilisers – calcium zinc and organic based products – substitution across all pipe products has become feasible. Working with both stabiliser suppliers and the pipe manufacturers, the Product Stewardship Program facilitated the agreement to phase out lead stabilisers.
“Our phase out of lead based stabilisers was formalised in the Vinyl Council’s Product Stewardship Program with a commitment to phase out lead in all PVC products by 2010,” George Macovaz, Technical Services Director at Vinidex, a leading manufacturer and supplier of pipe systems and Chairman of the Program’s Technical Steering Group, said. “In addition, PIPA Signatories to the Program set a deadline of the end of 2008 to complete the phase out in all pipe, fittings and conduit products.”
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Modified PVC pipe standard implemented
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The PVC pipe sector is working to amend relevant Australian Standards for pipes and by the end of 2007, a revised Modified PVC pressure pipe standard (AS/NZS 4765) was published with lead, cadmium and mercury explicitly not permitted. This was a result of pipe Signatories working with Australian Standards in an environmental initiative that will extend to non-Signatory companies.
Lead stabilisers are compounds containing a small proportion of lead metal and are used as heat stabilisers in small quantities (lead content is typically less than 0.6 weight %) in PVC pipe products. As a major consumer of rigid PVC, the pipe sector accounted for the vast proportion of use of lead stabilisers (86% in 2007) in the industry. The amount of lead being used by remaining Signatories across the PVC supply chain is a small proportion and is being monitored by the Vinyl Council. One new Signatory, who is not a member of PIPA, produces a range of custom profiles and pipe products which are still lead stabilised. This Signatory intends to complete the phase out of lead by 2010; all other Signatories are on track to phase out across all applications by 2010 and meet this target.
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Driving progress
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A Vinyl Council initiative now in its seventh year, the voluntary Product Stewardship Program addresses key aspects of the PVC life cycle to advance sustainability of PVC products. It sets realistic timeframes for the delivery of key undertakings in manufacturing standards, emissions, the safe use of additives, waste management, research and public reporting.
Progress of the Program’s twenty-six signatories is independently audited every year and the Program is overseen by a Technical Steering Group with representation from both industry and non-industry organisations.
Other significant industry achievements include a new Program commitment to tighten the Australian PVC resin manufacturing emissions standard. Under the new standard introduced this year, vinyl chloride emissions resulting from manufacturing shall not exceed 30 grams per tonne of PVC produced, a world leading benchmark. The European standard is 100 grams per tonne. Australian Vinyls Corporation, the only PVC resin manufacturer in the country has consistently performed under the Australian Program’s original standard of 50 grams per tonne for the last few years.
The Vinyl Council in conjunction with Melbourne’s Western Hospital has embarked on a project surrounding waste management and the recycling of PVC products used in operating theatres. It is believed that PVC accounts for about twenty five per cent of all operating suite and intensive care plastic, and the pilot project aims to recover and recycle non-contaminated waste products such as intravenous fluid bags, oxygen tubing and masks into new PVC products such as hose and tubing. The trial is so far performing well and work is being carried out to expand the medical PVC waste recycling beyond the pilot stage and to other hospitals.
The Vinyl Council has recently completed a series of seminars on the Program in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne benchmarking the progress of the industry and its voluntary commitments. The seminars provided an opportunity for government and non-government stakeholders to discuss the industry’s recycling initiatives and challenges, manufacturing improvements locally and abroad, and the development of environmentally preferable PVC products in Australia.
The Vinyl Council shares information about the health, safety and environmental performance of PVC at every stage of its life cycle. Chief Executive Officer, Sophi MacMillan, says “This dialogue is an important way for us – the industry – to identify and appreciate stakeholder concerns and help achieve our goal of a more sustainable industry.”
PVC products are specified for use in a wide range of sectors which include health, education, building and infrastructure, packaging and food safety.
The Program plays a valuable role in stimulating the PVC industry to rise to new challenges in sustainable development and is an ongoing, long-term undertaking by the Australian PVC industry to recognise, and address progressively all relevant environmental issues within responsible and deliverable timeframes.
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The Vinyl Council of Australia (VCA) is working to advance the sustainability of the vinyl, or PVC, industry in Australia. Its members are drawn across the supply chain of the vinyl industry.
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For further information: contact Neva Law, Vinyl Council of Australia, directly on 03 9368 4857 and 0405 772 700.
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| Visit info@vinyl.org.au |
