PVC Formulation: Salvatore J. Monte, Kenrich Petrochemicals

Ahead of AMI's PVC Formulation US 2024 event, Salvatore J. Monte shares insights into challenges facing the PVC industry in North America.

What are the key challenges currently facing the PVC industry?

As a specialty chemicals producer with PETROCHEMICALS in our middle name, we understand the image problem of a fossil fuel-based business such as PVC. Kenrich has little control over Fed interest rates, global politics, and energy policies effecting PVC supply and demand. We focus our business on solving PVC formulation technological challenges enabling our customers to compete effectively in their markets.

What are the emerging technologies or innovations in PVC formulation that have the potential to disrupt or improve the market?

As a specialty chemicals producer with PETROCHEMICALS in our middle name, we understand the image problem of a fossil fuel-based business such as PVC. Kenrich has little control over Fed interest rates, global politics, and energy policies effecting PVC supply and demand. We focus our business on solving PVC formulation technological challenges enabling our customers to compete effectively in their markets.

To what extent have sustainability and environmental concerns influenced industry practices in recent years? What changes are being made and what changes need to be made to address these challenges?

Sustainability and environmental concerns past and present constantly influence PVC industry formulation practices such as: elimination of lead stabilizers; removal of asbestos fillers; replacement of phthalate ester plasticizers; recycle content; and EU REACH placing Azodicarbonamide foaming agents, aromatic plasticizers, formalite-based resins, heavy metals, etc. on the SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) List. Sustainable use of additives in PVC has become the mantra of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) activism movement such as Green Peace.

What changes are being made and what changes need to be made to address these challenges?

Kenrich is a member of the Vinyl Sustainabilty Council, which is a voluntary membership organization that is taking a leadership role in uniting the industry to advance sustainable performance throughout the vinyl value chain. The VSC focuses its efforts in three impact categories: Resource Efficiency, People and Community, and Emissions. VSC members have established baselines and determined goals to track and report on the vinyl industry’s progress.

Given the evolving landscape of PVC alternatives, how can the industry adapt to maintain PVC’s relevance and competitiveness?

PVC will maintain it’s relevance and competitiveness by old-school hard work and paying attention to details such as formulating ever better PVC compounds..

PVC Formulation is taking place February 27-28, 2024 in Cleveland, OH, USA. Find out more