AgPU reports 7% growth in the first five months of 2004

PVC consumption has surged in the first five months of the year, according to Dr Josef Ertl managing director of PVC producer Vinnolit. Speaking yesterday at a meeting of the AgPU, the German association concerned with PVC and the environment, Dr Ertl said consumption in the European PVC market has been growing at an average annual rate of 1.9% in the 1998-2003 period, to reach approximately 7 million tonnes last year.

“The growth and the 2.2% average growth in Germany is astonishing,” Ertl said. “Even more astonishing has been the growth in the first five months of 2004.” Ertl gave worldwide growth from January to May 2004 as 7%, with Europe achieving 5%. Eastern Europe led the growth league with 20%, followed by Germany with 10%.

PVC’s image in Germany has improved and political discussions in Germany and at the European level are now based on facts, Ertl said. He saw the increasing engagement of financial investors in PVC producers and processors as an expression of positive expectations for the development of the PVC industry.