|
PVC building profiles have reached more than 2
million tonnes market globally. The European region almost consumed
almost 1 million tonnes of PVC building profiles. There is however
an increasing development of anti-PVC sentiments an account of environmental
issues.
Several types of alternatives either from PP or
styrenics have been gaining some inroads. The leading PP producer
Borealis feels very strongly that PP profile is a viable alternate
to PVC. Infact, technically, PP profiles meet all the relevant standards.
PP profiles are already commercialized by Internorm Fenser and Titta
in Austria and HT Troplas in Germany. PP profiles have been found
to be more expensive (15-20% more) on account of higher processing
cost. The extrusion speed of PP is much lower compared to PVC and
is so far developed on single screw extrusion. The welding of PP
profiles also is more sensitive and therefore increases cost. The
government subsidies provided by Austria & Germany would help
increasing market of RP.
Dark coloured PVC profiles do not provide good performance in tropical
countries. PVC profiles have to be used as acrylic top coating/extrusion.
ABS/ASA profiles have been developed by BASF as well as GE. These
styrenic profiles can be painted easily compared to PP & therefore
offer advantages for renovation.
PVC, however, is likely to remain firmly in this
application. PP or styrenics could only complement PVC in some markets
and therefore could attain a small market share.
|
