VinylPlus Pipes at a Glance
VinylPlus Pipes coordinates activities related to PVC pipe systems within the VinylPlus® framework. It succeeds the former PVC4Pipes initiative and continues its work on technical performance, sustainability and circular economy aspects of PVC pipes used in water, energy and building applications.
The work of VinylPlus Pipes focuses on long-life infrastructure systems and supports the use of sound technical evidence and practical experience in policy and decision-making across Europe.
Our Vision
Resilient, safe and resource-efficient pipe systems that support Europe’s water, energy and infrastructure needs over the long term.
Our Mission
VinylPlus Pipes brings together the European PVC pipe value chain to support responsible production, long service life and circular use of PVC pipe systems. Building on the legacy of PVC4Pipes, we contribute technical knowledge and dialogue to support informed decisions on long-life infrastructure in Europe.
Our Activities
VinylPlus Pipes coordinates activities related to PVC pipe systems across key application areas, including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, energy networks and infrastructure renewal.
Our work focuses on the following areas:
Technical evidence and knowledge: Supporting and disseminating technical and scientific knowledge on the performance, safety and long-term behaviour of PVC pipe systems, including design lifetime, leak tightness, material performance and lifecycle aspects.
- Drinking water safety and regulation: Supporting the implementation of European drinking water requirements through a science-based approach, including engagement on positive listing and materials in contact with drinking water.
- Standards, testing and assessment: Engagement in standardisation activities, testing programmes and technical assessments relevant to PVC pipe systems, in cooperation with recognised institutes and stakeholders.
- Regulatory and policy monitoring: Monitoring and analysing regulatory and policy developments affecting PVC pipes, including sustainability, circular economy and infrastructure-related initiatives at European level.
- Stakeholder dialogue and communication: Facilitating dialogue and sharing information with policymakers, public authorities, utilities, researchers and value chain partners to support informed decision-making on long-life infrastructure.
Who Can Join?
VinylPlus Pipes brings together organisations active in the European PVC pipe value chain. Participation is open to companies and organisations that contribute to the development, production, distribution, use, recycling or technical assessment of PVC pipe systems.
Participation in VinylPlus Pipes takes place within the broader VinylPlus framework and follows its principles on responsible production, transparency and continuous improvement.
Partners include, among others:
- PVC resin and additive producers
- Compounders
- Pipe and fitting manufacturers
- Distributors and wholesalers of PVC pipe systems
- Recyclers and recycling technology providers
- Machinery and equipment suppliers
- Testing institutes and technical experts
- Industry associations and other relevant stakeholders
Meet the VinylPlus Pipes Coordinator
Vincent Stone
Vincent joined VinylPlus and the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM) in 2018, where he is Technical and Environmental Affairs Senior Manager.
Previously, Vincent worked at the Ferro’s Polymer Additives business, where he led the customer and manufacturing support activities; prior to that, he developed and managed a portfolio of pipe coating technology development in ArcelorMittal. He joined UCB Group (later Allnex) in 1998, where he led several resin and additive development projects for coatings, inks, and adhesives applications.
Vincent graduated in 1991 in Plastics Engineering at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, where he also earned a PhD. He later earned a part-time MBA degree from the Solvay Brussels School Economics & Management.