Solvay unveils landmark technology to rejuvenate PVC building components

Solvay unveils landmark technology to rejuvenate PVC building components

Extending lifetime of PVC products contributes to their sustainability
SOLVAY unveiled in Dьsseldorf at K'2001, the world's largest plastics trade fair, a groundbreaking technology for the restoration of time-affected PVC building components. The new process, dubbed Renovic™, eradicates the coloring phenomenon that can arise from the exposition of white PVC elements - such as window frames, doors or shutters - to certain adverse weather conditions.

The Renovic™ process wipes out the layer of affected material and restores the original aspect and color of the object, while extending its life by a number of years. Solvay has filed a patent application concerning this novel technology and is currently seeking partners for the distribution of the Renovic™ process. Its commercial launch is expected in the spring of 2002.

"Renovic™ is yet another proof of Solvay's commitment to the sustainable development of the PVC industry", explains Richard Thommeret, market development manager for Solvay's Benvic PVC compound unit. "We are implementing environmentally safe production techniques, we developed innovative recycling processes and we have now discovered a unique way of extending the product's life expectancy in one of its major applications." Thommeret said.