VinylSUM is a new research initiative led by IPTME at Loughborough and involves a range of industrial and academic partners, including the British Plastics Federation.
The VinylSUM network, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under the ‘Sustainable Use of Materials’ initiative, was set up in April 2004 to help address some of the long term sustainability challenges facing PVC.
The objectives of the network are: -
- To establish a forum for an industry-wide discussion on the research required to improve the sustainable use of PVC;
- To review research to date and identify knowledge gaps;
- To develop an approach for a full evaluation of sustainability on a life cycle basis, and set up a modus operandi in which the whole industry works together to achieve the objectives for sustainable use, which can then be applied to other polymers; and
- To become a source of impartial information to all stakeholders.
VinylSUM, has been awarded research grants totalling £600,000 to improve the sustainability of PVC through novel materials, processes and life cycle methodologies. The research projects, due to commence in October 2005, will be carried out at Loughborough University and the University of Surrey. Project partners are Hydro Polymers Ltd, INEOS Vinyls, BPF (British Plastics Federation) and ECPI (European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates).
Click here for more information about VinylSUM.
