This year, a notably large number of plastics converters participated in the annual polymer producers’ assessment, sponsored by the Polymers for Europe Alliance. European polymer users had until mid-May to vote and evaluate their polymer suppliers’ performance over the past 12 months. Key criteria for this year’s assessment included delivery reliability, circularity, quality, communication, innovation, and commitment to the European Market. Westlake Vinnolit emerged victorious in the PVC category, securing 92% of the votes.
“We are delighted with this tremendous success and deeply appreciate our customers’ continued trust and inspiration,” said Dr. Karl-Martin Schellerer, Senior Vice President, Westlake Performance and Essential Materials – Europe and Asia, and Managing Director of Westlake Vinnolit. “This achievement motivates us to keep improving.”
Additionally, Westlake Vinnolit received the ‘Overall Award – Decarbonization.’ “Winning the PVC Award is a significant honor, but being recognized as the top plastics supplier in terms of decarbonization is even more gratifying,” Schellerer stated. He received the awards and certificates from Ron Marsh, Chairman of the Alliance, and EuPC President Benoît Hennaut, at the European Plastics Converters’ conference ‘A Circular Future with Plastics’ in Brussels. “De-fossilizing plastics is crucial in combating climate change and represents one of the industry’s greatest challenges. Our CO2-saving GreenVin® product line actively supports our customers in reducing Scope 3.1 emissions and advancing their sustainability goals.”
Vinnolit GreenVin® PVC is produced using electricity from renewable energy sources, backed by European high-quality certificates for renewable energies (Guarantees of Origin / HKNs), saving around 25% CO2 equivalents compared to conventionally produced Vinnolit® PVC. The carbon footprint was calculated by Sustainable AG in accordance with the ISO 14067 standard and certified by TÜV Rheinland. GreenVin® bio-attributed PVC, additionally, uses renewable ethylene based on second-generation biomass, increasing CO2 savings to approximately 90%, accounting for biogenic CO2 fixation. Vinnolit GreenVin® bio-attributed PVC is mass-balanced and certified according to ISCC PLUS and REDcert2, maintaining the favorable product and processing properties desired by customers.
The Polymers for Europe Alliance, initiated by the European Plastics Converters association (EuPC), provides factual public information on the status of the polymer supply situation in Europe and engages in constructive dialogue with the supply base. The Alliance’s initiatives also include the Polymer Producers Awards for Europe. In this Europe-wide customer satisfaction survey, all polymer users in Europe can rate their suppliers of the year.
