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**Discovery and Production of PVC:**
– PVC synthesized in 1872 by Eugen Baumann.
– Initial difficulties in commercial use overcome by B.F. Goodrich Company in 1926.
– PVC produced by polymerization of vinyl chloride monomer.
– Methods developed to plasticize PVC using additives.
– China holds around half of global PVC production capacity.
– Shin-Etsu Chemical of Japan is the largest PVC producer with 30% global share.

**Microstructure and Producers of PVC:**
– PVC is a linear polymer with strong properties.
– PVC has atactic stereochemistry with syndiotacticity influencing material properties.
– 57% of PVC mass is chlorine.
– Suspension polymerization accounts for 80% of PVC production.
– Emulsion polymerization and bulk polymerization account for 12% and 8%, respectively.
– Chinese PVC plants facing closure due to environmental issues.

**Additives and Stabilizers in PVC:**
– Unmodified PVC requires additives like stabilizers, UV stabilizers, and plasticizers.
– Phthalates commonly used as PVC plasticizers.
– BaZn stabilizers replaced cadmium-based stabilizers in Europe.
– Metallic soaps like calcium stearate are common in flexible PVC.
– Heat stabilizers crucial for PVC products’ heat stability.
– Growth in calcium-based stabilizers as an alternative to heavy metals.

**Properties and Applications of PVC:**
– PVC is a thermoplastic polymer with properties categorized into rigid and flexible PVC.
– Rigid PVC has higher density and yield strength than flexible PVC.
– PVC widely used in construction, signage, graphics, clothing, and healthcare industries.
– PVC extensively used in sewage pipes for cost-effectiveness.
– PVC combustion produces HCl and carbon dioxide.
– PVC provides insulation and aids in resisting internal temperature changes.

**Environmental Impact and Recycling of PVC:**
– VinylPlus and Vinyl 2010 initiatives aim to recycle post-consumer PVC waste in Europe.
– PVC disposal poses risks to the environment.
– PVC combustion emits chlorinated organic compounds.
– PVC production raises environmental concerns.
– PVC recycling efforts in Europe led to the recycling of 731,461 tonnes of PVC in 2020.
– Recycled PVC has a lower ecological footprint and global warming potential.