Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic polymer of plastic that is widely used in the production of various domestic and industrial products, such as pipes, medical devices, wire and cable insulation, and more. It is the world’s third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic, with an annual production of about 40 million tons. PVC comes in rigid and flexible forms. Rigid PVC is used in construction for pipe, doors, and windows. It is also used in making plastic bottles, packaging, and bank or membership cards. Adding plasticizers makes PVC softer and more flexible. It is used in plumbing, electrical cable insulation, flooring, signage, phonograph records, inflatable products, and in rubber substitutes.
