Collaboration towards a circular economy for PVC, the journey towards net zero carbon and safe and sustainable additives will be among key topics discussed by a host of global experts at PVC AUS 2022, Australia’s premier vinyl conference, in Queensland from 7 – 9 June 2022.

Organised by the Vinyl Council of Australia at The Hilton, Surfers Paradise, the two-day conference brings together Australasia’s vinyl value chain to discuss key trends, issues and sustainability challenges influencing the region’s PVC sector.

The comprehensive two-day program themed around ‘Shared Horizons’ will feature policy, technical and case-study presentations along with panel discussions from a range of local and international expert speakers, as well as opportunities to network with key decision makers across the industry.

Supporting the event are headline sponsors Formosa Plastics Corporation, a vertically integrated supplier of plastic resin, fibre and petrochemicals, plastics extrusion technology leaders Battenfeld-Cincinnati and Greiner Extrusion GmbH, and powder handling specialists Idealtec. Gold sponsors are Akdeniz Chemson, Baerlocher, Deceuninck and Sun Ace

Announcing the comprehensive program, Vinyl Council Chief Executive Sophi MacMillan says: “Following its postponement in 2020, our third biennial PVC AUS conference will bring the Australasian PVC industry together for the first time in four years.

“With close to two years of disruption to supply chains, working patterns and in-person events, the PVC industry has never before had more reason to come together to build new connections and discuss the latest in technical innovations, opportunities for sustainable industry development and planning for what is on the horizon.”

Key themes include collaboration with industry, government and stakeholder groups to find solutions to PVC circularity and reinforce the material’s role in a circular economy. This includes the challenge of transitioning to lower carbon PVC products, avoiding substances of high concern and shifting local uPVC window production to the next level.

The business case for addressing sustainability will be covered by Andrew Petersen, CEO of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, Jorge Chapa, Head of Market Transformation, Green Building Council of Australia, Rob Coombs, Managing Director, ANZ, Interface and Gihan Perera, a Futurist and author, sponsored by Australian Vinyls.

Delegates will be updated on policies and government initiatives for Australia’s future use of plastics as well as hear from international guest speakers Jane Gardner of the European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers’ Institute, Inna Jeschke from Inovyn and Jay Thomas, from the US Vinyl Sustainability Council on their latest initiatives driving progress towards a circular economy for vinyl.

Sophi continues: “Inspirational insights and discussion with our range of expert speakers will provide invaluable opportunities for exploring industry examples of strategic initiatives and leadership, increasing understanding of current policy settings and gaining key information on vinyl sustainability to share with customers and end markets.”

Australia’s PVC manufacturing industry consumes more than A$1 billion of raw materials annually and over A$3 billion of products containing PVC are sold in Australia.

Sophi adds: “From technical and case study presentations to informed debate, our PVC AUS 2022 event offers participants an unmatched opportunity to join in-person over 150 industry peers from across the Asia Pacific region and collaborate towards a shared horizon: a sustainable, resilient society and circular economy. We look forward to welcoming you to the first vinyl industry-wide event in four years!”

For more information and to register for the event, please visit https://vinyl.org.au/news/pvc-aus-2022