Currently, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is in the top three of most widely produced plastics, with its production demonstrating regular growth. The PVC production reached 38.5 million tonnes in 2013, and it totaled 34.7 million tonnes a year earlier. APAC is an unrivalled leader in terms of the PVC production. In 2013, for instance, the region produced over 21.6 million tonnes, while other prominent players – North America and Europe – produced 6.9 million tonnes and 6.7 million tonnes, respectively. Country-wise, China, the USA, Germany, South Korea and Japan are the largest PVC producers.
Polyvinyl chloride production by country, 2013
APAC has the largest slice of the PVC capacity pie, estimated at more than 61 percent. Europe and North America also have large PVC capacities. China, the USA and Germany have the largest PVC production capacities if compared to other countries.
Though the demand for PVC dropped in 2008-2009, it started to grow from 2010 onwards. In 2013, the global consumption amounted to over 38.4 million tonnes, up by 1.1 million tonnes from 2012. In developing countries, the demand is mainly driven by local infrastructure projects, while PVC window frames form the most prominent PVC end-use sector in developed countries.
APAC, Europe and North America are the main PVC consumers. In 2013, the PVC consumption volume almost reached 21.6 million tonnes in APAC. It stood at slightly over 6.9 million tonnes in Europe and 4.5 million tonnes in North America in the same year.
Global polyvinyl chloride consumption by region, 2013
In the years to come, the PVC production is expected to continue growing on an annual basis. In 2017, it is forecast to surpass the 45 million tonnes mark. China is likely to remain the world’s leader in terms of capacity and production.
More information on the PVC market can be found in the topical research study “Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): 2014 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2018”.