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PVC: the Material of Choice PVC: the Material of Choice

VINYLTECVINYLTECOctober 2012October 2012

Chicago MarriottChicago MarriottKevin OttKevin Ott

Flexible Vinyl AllianceFlexible Vinyl AllianceWashington, DCWashington, DC

www.flexvinylalliance.comwww.flexvinylalliance.com

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De-Selection:De-Selection:

the the arbitrary arbitrary elimination of elimination of consumer consumer choicechoice to buy or use to buy or use the the best product best product at the at the best best

priceprice. .

Understanding the PVC Understanding the PVC De-SelectionDe-Selection Drumbeat: Drumbeat:

Scientific Rigor and Facts Have Taken a Scientific Rigor and Facts Have Taken a Holiday Holiday

Media: Lazy & Confused

Hysteria Sells

Public Opinion Sways Public Policy

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Perception vs. RealityPerception vs. Reality

Promoted Perception: PVC is “Toxic” PVC Produces Dioxins/Chlorine PVC Cannot be Recycled PVC Products Can be Endocrine Disruptors: Obesity, Diabetes,

Feminization PVC Comes from Hydrocarbons, not “Natural” or “Renewable”

The Reality: PVC is the “greenest” plastic (1/2 salt) PVC is affordable PVC is safe, durable and aesthetic PVC: the Perfect Plastic?

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Anti-Plastics Campaigns:Anti-Plastics Campaigns:All FlavorsAll Flavors

“ “Living a Plastics-Free Life”Living a Plastics-Free Life”

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A New “Study”A New “Study”

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University of Sweden

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Perception (Driven by Junk Perception (Driven by Junk Science) Leads to PolicyScience) Leads to Policy

EPA’s CHEMICAL ACTION PLAN: OFFICE OF

TOXICS◦ 5(b)(4): on hold (800 Days)◦ USGBC: V4 Issued October 2: Comment Period◦ EPA Design for Environment (DfE): Ongoing◦ FDA◦ CPSC◦ IRIS Assessments◦ Retail Deselection: Staples, Walmart, “Red Lists”

◦“CHEMOPHOBIA” PREVALENT

Putting a Face on the PVC Putting a Face on the PVC Industry: Your Industry: Your Products/JOBS!Products/JOBS!

FVA Communications:FVA Communications: Putting a Business-Face on the Putting a Business-Face on the

IndustryIndustryFlexible Vinyl Matters

4th Edition

FVA By the Numbers

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Did You Did You

Know?Know? USA – 21% of Global Manufactured Products.

U.S. mfg. produces $1.6 trillion -- 11.2 percent of U.S. GDP

Manufacturing supports an estimated 18.6 million jobs in the U.S.—about one in six private sector jobs

Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing

In 2009, the average U.S. manufacturing worker earned $74,447 annually, including pay and benefits.

Plastics Workers: 900,00012

•PVC is a $20B BusinessPVC is a $20B Business In 38 States In 38 States

Nearly 1 Million Jobs in PlasticsNearly 1 Million Jobs in Plastics The “Loss” of the Middle Class is

Tied to the Loss of Manufacturing Jobs

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7 Pillars of fPVC7 Pillars of fPVC

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Putting a Face on fPVC - Putting a Face on fPVC - MilitaryMilitary

FVA

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Or………….Or………….

Putting a Face on fPVC - Putting a Face on fPVC - MedicalMedical

FVA

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Or………Or………

FVA

Putting a Face on fPVC - Putting a Face on fPVC - AutoAuto

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Or……….Or……….

Putting a Face on fPVC - Putting a Face on fPVC - RoofingRoofing

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Or……….Or……….

Putting a Face on fPVC – Putting a Face on fPVC – Wire/CableWire/Cable

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Putting a Face on fPVC – Putting a Face on fPVC – Wire/Cable – “the Cloud” in Wire/Cable – “the Cloud” in

IowaIowa

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Or……..Or……..

Putting a Face on fPVCPutting a Face on fPVC: : Floors/Wall coveringsFloors/Wall coverings

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Empire State BuildingEmpire State Building

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Or………Or………

Just for Fun: Just for Fun: Empire State Building Makeover Empire State Building Makeover

Loading Dock: Before

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After

Putting a Face on the Industry – Putting a Face on the Industry – PackagingPackaging

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Or…………Or…………

FVA Communications:FVA Communications: Putting a Face on the Industry - Putting a Face on the Industry -

EverydayEveryday

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2013 FVA Priorities2013 FVA Priorities

Continue advocacy efforts on issues with national, state and local impact

◦ Engage policymakers with business implications and applications focus which supplements activity of other industry associations

◦ Tell the True Value-Laden Story of PVC

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Where to Go, What to DoWhere to Go, What to Do

American Chemistry Council (PEs)American High Performance Building Coalition (LEED)SPI Vinyl Products Division (Processors, Compounders)Vinyl Institute (Rigids, Resins) -- Fly-InSociety of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates --Fly-InResilient Floor Covering Institute (Mfgs, Suppliers)Flexible Vinyl Alliance (Messaging on Jobs, Economics)National Association of Manufacturers (Broad-Based)

◦www.flexvinylalliance.com◦kott@flexvinylalliance.com

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Questions or Additional Information

Kevin OttExecutive DirectorFlexible Vinyl AllianceWashington, DC

www.flexvinylalliance.com Phone  (202) 721-4125Email  kott@flexvinylalliance.com

www.flexvinylalliance.com

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Thank you to my reference resources

• Sense About Science: Royal Society of Chemistry

• Flexible Vinyl: By the Numbers (FVA 2011): on the FVA website

• National Association of Manufacturers: www.nam.org

• Wrong: David Freeman

• Why Business People Speak Like Idiots: Brain Fugere, et. al.

• Flexible Vinyl Alliance Steering Committee

www.flexiblevinylalliance.com

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