Plasticity and sustainability

Plastic materials are sustainable!

PVC as a material has long been the subject of debate. However, scientific studies have shown that plastic, with its modern production processes and processing standards, has long since become a material that represents sustainability and long-term business – this is especially true of PVC windows.

The most important information about PVC material in the manufacture of carpentry (windows):

  • Only 4% of global gas and oil reserves are for plastic production, of which only:
  • 1% is used for PVC, while 40% of the world’s gas and oil reserves are used for heating and energy supply in buildings.
  • The main ingredient of PVC is chlorine, which is obtained from rock salt, while the share of crude oil is only 43%.
  • PVC windows are leaders in eco-balance and environmental performance analysis.
  • The new PVC windows have a service life of more than 50 years.
  • Plastics and the environment: Plastics manufacturers are actively involved in environmental, ecological production and sustainable process issues.
  • Recycling: The material found in PVC windows is processed into granulate and can be reused at least seven times.

PVC Windows are energy efficient and save resources

Example of calculation: During the heating season, the average family needs about 100 liters of oil per week. The same amount of crude oil can be used to make windows for the same house that can be used for decades, while at the same time offering the best value for energy savings.

Ecological balance confirms the sustainability of PVC windows!

Thanks to their longevity (50 years and more), their high level of energy efficiency and 100% recycling, PVC windows are at the forefront of eco-balance and environmental efficiency analyzes. PVC windows show a high degree of environmental awareness and long-term sustainability of product development.

Compared to other windows, PVC windows achieve the best values in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Data from the 2005 Polytechnic Study in Barcelona showed that plastic windows with double glazing and a recycling content of 30% have the lowest energy consumption (1740 kWh) and cause the lowest CO2 emissions (740 kg). This is followed by PVC windows without recycling and wooden windows – both types in double glazing.

The worst results were shown by aluminum windows without thermal separation (thermal bridge). The study took into account the production process, shelf life, recycling as well as waste disposal (For example Recio, JMB, Narváez, RP & Guerrero PJ (2005): Estimation of energy consumption and CO2 emissions associated with the production, use and final disposal of PVC , aluminum and wooden windows. Polytechnic study in Catalonia).

Deceuninck is committed to sustainability

Deceuninck places special emphasis on environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Plastics and the environment are topics to which we pay special attention – we actively advocate for plastic recycling, responsible and sustainable use of PVC. Only unleaded stabilizers are used for the production of our profiles and our solutions are an example of how, based on intensive research and many years of experience, sustainable PVC systems for windows and doors, wall and roof coverings, as well as terrace design and landscaping are developed. Our systems are easy to manufacture, easy to process and extremely easy to maintain!

Find a range of our highly sustainable and energy-efficient PVC window systems in our product overview.