PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride, also commonly known as ‘vinyl’) is a rigid polymer, possibly
most often seen in its ‘natural’ state used as w indow frames. In order to make PVC
malleable, a variety of plasticisers are added and other processes are used during
manufacture. In particular, this includes the addition of phthalates which provide
flexibility, in order to mould and manufacture a wide variety of products, including
window graphics, decorative wall vinyls, and signage.
PVC (‘vinyl’) based produ cts, such as graphics do suffer from the migration of their
toxic plasticiser content into the atmosphere. When this happens the graphic becomes
harder, and more brittle, and will often shrink, issues commonly found with vinyl based
surface coatings and graphics. (This is why window vinyls are overlapped, to allow for
the shrinkage due to plasticiser migration to the environment). At the end of life, such as
in landfill, many of the toxins including dioxin, in the PVC are able to leach out into the
In response to the lifecycle management issues surrounding PVC and the widely
recognised potential health threats from the toxic chemicals involved, a growing
number of companies have committed to phasing out PVC and switching to safer and
environmentally gentler products and packaging.
There are a number of web sites that provide debate and information about PVC, and
as with any scientific discourse, there is uncertainty associated with the exact degree
of harm, and the exact environmental impact, however, we prefer to acknowledge the
widely reported risk and hazard, and have developed our own long term policy to avoid
unnecessary environmental challenges.
Novograf specialises in the design, customization, manufacture and installation of a
range of high performance, PVC-free, surface products which provide an economical and
environmentally gentle alternative to replacement and shop fit programmes.
Novograf has been manufacturing PVC-free products for many years. Virtually all of our
product range is completely PVC and phthalates free, however, where using PVC based
components has proved unavoidable, we have reduced the PVC content of such materials
to only a tiny percentage of our delivered solutions.
Our PVC-free products have been engineered to much harder wearing and longer life
specifications than PVC alternatives, maintaining their appearance for many years, and
If you have any questions regarding the Novograf PVC-free product range, please email
us at hello@novograf.co.uk or phone 01355 900100.
http://www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Plasticizers/Out-Of-Diet-PG5nov03.htm
http://www.lenntech.com/polyvinyl-chloride-pvc.htm
http://blog.edu-cyberpg.com/2008/04/26/Toxic+Plastic+Numbers+34567.aspx
http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/04/17/10-ways-to-avoid-toxic-plastic-bpa-synthetic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride#Health_and_safety
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/50901.aspx
http://www.highcountryconservation.org/pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20PVC.pdf
http://www.pvcinformation.org/assets/pdf/PVCFactPack.pdf
http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/PVC
http://www.myhouseisyourhouse.org/new_green_pdf/firefighter_wycd.pdf
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