In Brussels, Belgium, the PVCMed Alliance was launched to promote the use and value of PVC in healthcare applications. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is the third-most widely produced plastic. The PVCMed Alliance is a coalition of PVC resin and plasticizer producers and PVC converters.
The Alliance’s aim is to provide a focal point for communication with healthcare professionals and regulators about PVC-based healthcare applications, and their fundamental role in quality of healthcare, safety, and cost-efficiency, as well as being environmentally responsible.
Since the 1960s, PVC is commonly used in medical devices for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and care, as well as in building safe healthcare environments. Nearly 30% of all plastic-based medical devices are made of PVC. The two main application areas for medically approved PVC compounds are flexible containers and tubing. By adding plasticizers, PVC can be made soft and flexible, providing high levels of safety and comfort. Its use in both single and multiple-use devices has proved instrumental in reducing the risk of life-threatening and healthcare acquired infections.
