Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is the world's third most widely used plastic and is an attractive alternative to traditional materials such as glass, metal, wood, and other plastic materials because of its versatility, durability and cost competitiveness. PVC is produced in powder form and then combined with other ingredients to create a compound with specific processing and end-use properties. It is widely used in flooring, wall covering and window profiles, pipes, film, automotive sealants and interior trim, cable sheathing, medical applications and technical coatings.