London, 17 October 2019 - INOVYN has today launched its latest generation of PVC under the brand name BIOVYNTM, becoming the world’s first commercial producer of bio-attributed PVC using a supply chain fully certified by The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB).
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Manufactured at Rheinberg, Germany, BIOVYNTM is made using bio-attributed ethylene, a renewable feedstock derived from biomass that does not compete with the food chain.
BIOVYNTM is certified by RSB as delivering a 100% substitution of fossil feedstock in its production system, enabling a greenhouse gas saving of over 90% compared to conventionally produced PVC.
INOVYN’s choice of an RSB-certified feedstock also demonstrates its commitment to working within the emerging bio economy, adding to the extremely strong sustainability credentials of BIOVYNTM.
Comments Filipe Constant, Business Director INOVYN: “Through our sustainability programme we are developing a new generation of PVC grades that meet both the rigorous product quality and performance needs of our customers, whilst moving us closer towards a circular, carbon-neutral economy for PVC.
“Driven by the increasing global focus on the circular economy, there is growing demand for a specialist, renewable PVC that decouples its production from the conventional use of virgin fossil feedstocks. BIOVYN™ meets that demand.
“BIOVYN™ demonstrates that we can substitute the use of virgin fossil feedstocks without compromising the unique product qualities such as durability, flexibility and recyclability that make PVC one of the most widely used, sustainable plastics in the world.”
BIOVYN™ is expected to have numerous value-added applications across a range of industry sectors, including highly specialised end-uses such as automotive and medical.
INOVYN has been working closely with Tarkett since the early stages of product development. The first application of BIOVYN™ will be by Tarkett, who will source it for a new flooring collection.
Comments Myriam Tryjefaczka, Director Sustainability & Public Affairs for Tarkett EMEA: “Our partnership with INOVYN illustrates Tarkett’s commitment to push the boundaries of sustainable innovation. Sourcing BIOVYN™ for our upcoming new flooring collection is a key step in our journey to shift toward a circular economy model and respond to climate challenges.”
Rolf Hogan, Executive Director of RSB, comments: “We are extremely pleased to see BIOVYNTM enter the market carrying an RSB certification, demonstrating its excellent sustainability credentials. Offering a positive climate impact - in the form of a 90% greenhouse gas reduction - as well as proven social and environmental risk mitigation, this new product is a true leader in the emerging circular bio economy.”
Concludes Filipe: “BIOVYNTM is an excellent example of INOVYN’s ongoing commitment to accelerate progress towards a circular economy for PVC. It is also a major step forward in INOVYN’s journey to sustainability and demonstrates our commitment to developing innovative solutions that address society’s needs.
“In addition to developing new bio-attributed PVC grades, we continue to play a pivotal role in the wider VinylPlus® programme, through which the industry is collectively improving the sustainability performance of PVC.”
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About INOVYN
Formed on 1 July 2015, INOVYN is a vinyls producer that ranks among the top three worldwide. With a turnover above €3.5 billion, INOVYN has more than 4,300 employees and manufacturing, sales and marketing operations in ten countries across Europe.
INOVYN’s portfolio consists of an extensive range of class-leading products arranged across Organic Chlorine Derivatives; Chlor Alkali; General Purpose Vinyls; Specialty Vinyls; Sulphur Chemicals; Salt; and Electrochemical and Vinyls Technologies. Annual production volumes are more than 40 million tones. www.inovyn.com
About Tarkett
With a history stretching back 135 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative flooring and sports surface solutions, with net sales of more than €2.8 billion in 2018. Offering a wide range of products including vinyl, linoleum, rubber, carpet, wood, laminate, artificial turf and athletics tracks, the Group serves customers in over 100 countries across the globe. Tarkett has 13,000 employees and 36 industrial sites and sells 1.3 million square meters of flooring every day, for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields. Committed to change the game with circular economy, the Group has implemented an eco-innovation strategy based on Cradle to Cradle® principles, with the ultimate goal of contributing to people’s health and wellbeing, and preserving natural capital. Tarkett is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A, ISIN: FR0004188670, ticker: TKTT) and is included in the following indices: SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60. www.tarkett.com
About RSB
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is the world’s most trusted, valued and peer-reviewed standard for the sustainable bio-based and circular economy. It is one of the European Commission’s approved voluntary schemes used to show compliance with the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria. RSB’s is the first standard to develop a credible approach for the use of production waste and residues - including from non-biogenic sources - for fuels and products. The RSB Standard has been developed and approved by its many stakeholders, including social and environmental NGOs, UN agencies, academia and industry, ensuring it is a uniquely practical and credible approach for building a sustainable economy. www.rsb.org
