May, 2010
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Signatories to the Australian PVC industry's Product Stewardship Program (PSP) are committed to removing toxic heavy metals from PVC product. This commitment will include a new requirement to ensure avoidance of mercury in the PVC supply chain for PVC products in Australia.
The Progam seeks to ensure that the raw material vinyl choride monomer (VCM) and subsequently the product PVC resin are derived from mercury-free production processes.
Chlorine, which is used in the manufacture of VCM, is produced in some plants using the older mercury cell process. This process is being substantially replaced worldwide by safer and more environmentally friendly mercury free processes.
Another older process used to manufacture VCM and hence PVC resin is the "carbide" process. This uses mercury chloride as a catalyst and therefore cannot be deemed a mercury free production process.
By reducing mercury use in products and industrial processes and raising awareness of mercury free alternatives, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has committed to a global focus on the phase out of mercury. This was decided at the UNEP's Governing Council meeting in Nairobi in February 2009.
Signatories to the PSP have agreed to verify, via their suppliers, that imported VCM or PVC resin is sourced from mercury-free processes.
This Commitment will be implemented in 2010.
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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 |
