PVC White Paper

[jahamilt@MIT.EDU (Jim Hamilton)]

I am working on a white paper on the environmental issues surrounding the domestic manufacture of PVC fittings for the international (southeast Asia) market.  For instance:

1.      Is there any sort of lobby (Pro- or Anti-PVC) in southeast Asia?  Has this issue got any public attention in this region (along the lines that we are seeing in Europe)?  

2.      Is the chlorine industry firmly backing ALL forms of PVC or are you selectively abandoning certain markets?  If so, where do PVC fittings fit in?
  
3.      Are PVC manufacturers considering starting-up new plants, or moving existing PVC production into this region? 
 
4.      What about substitutes for PVC fittings?  

5.      Is there any kind of PVC recycling capacity on southeast Asia?

I know that these are profoundly broad questions but given the diverse 
membership of this group, I would like to hear any viewpoints or feedback that you may have on this topic.  In addition, any reference sources toward which you could direct me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help,

jim


Jim Hamilton
Research Assistant
Technology and Policy Program
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
E40-242
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02174

jahamilt@mit.edu