Document YjYj3BXnJb2NB13DD6qwx43Bn

(j - I/ ' IThe 'Vinyl Institute A Division of The Society of The Plastics Industry, Inc. Roy T. Gottesman Executive Director November 11, 1991 TO: Pipe Resource Organization RE: PVC Pipe -- Netherlands On a visit to European Vinyls Corporation in Brussels on November 6 and confirmed in a meeting at the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers on November 7, I have learned that an Ecobalance comparing polypropylene pipe versus PVC pipe was leaked in October. This ecobalance was carried out by Ir. J. Goedkoop and Drs. M. J. Volman. This report is, in the words of Dr. Werner Freiesleben,"a "sinister attack on PVC pipe" and recommends that polypropylene be used instead of PVC as it is better for the environment. EVCM has engaged Dr. Ian Boustead, a leading practitioner of lifecycle analyses in England, and Dr. Thalmann to critically review the Dutch document and to issue a critique that then will be used with the ministry to avoid formal publication of the document which, obviously, would be prejudicial to PVC. This situation is not unlike the voluntary agreement entered into with the Dutch government which effectively has resulted in a ban on PVC in packaging applications. This situation is complicated by the fact that there is no PVC producing operation in the Netherlands and actions taken in the Netherlands can lead to problems in other European countries. We will continue to monitor this situation and will advise you as we learn of later information. RTG/bg CTL026898 Wayne Interchange Plaza II 155 Route 46 West Wayne, NJ 07470 (201) 890-9299