Latest VNS News

Art and Design

Vinyl Records – 60 Years Strong and Still in the Groove
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 23, 2008 – To paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of the death of vinyl records have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, their popularity has received a louder buzz lately.

Giant Red PVC Ball Invades The Windy City
SOMEWHERE IN CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 2008 – All month pedestrians here have reported seeing a 15-foot red ball bulging from alleyways, shoved beneath overpasses, and wedged into bridge walkways.

New Vinyl Products Win Medals at NeoCon Trade Fair
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2008 (VNS) – A vinyl "surfacing material" for walls by Lonseal and a new line of vinyl flooring by Mannington won silver-level awards at the NeoCon World's Trade Fair.

Vinyl Records Enjoy Revival with the Help of New Technology
ARLINGTON, Va., April 17, 2008 (VNS) – The superior sound of vinyl records are back thanks to new turntables that plug into a computer’s USB port and convert them into MP3s or other audio files.

The Gates© New York City Project to be Featured in HBO Documentary
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 25, 2008 (VNS) – The Gates©, which for 16 days in February 2005, brightened a wintry New York City with 23 miles of orange banners that were supported by 7,500 frames made of recyclable vinyl, is the focus of a new HBO® documentary to debut on the network Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m., Eastern and Pacific times.

Vinyl Vehicle Wraps Rev Up Advertising on the Speedway and the Highway
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 15, 2008 (VNS) – The brilliant graphics that cover the cars competing here in the run-up to the Daytona 500 are not painted on—they are vinyl. And half the cars have whole-vehicle vinyl wraps.

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Energy Efficiency

2007 Saw Increased Demand for Energy-Saving Vinyl Roofing
CLEVELAND, Dec. 28, 2007 (VNS) – 2007 was a good year for vinyl roofing, thanks to a robust nonresidential construction market and to increased emphasis on sustainable building, according to Jay Thomas, marketing chair of the Vinyl Roofing Division of the Chemical Fabric and Film Association.

PVC’s Many Energy, Environment Benefits Highlighted
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 5, 2007 (VNS) – The numerous energy-saving, environmental and practical benefits of PVC (vinyl) are well established and scientifically proven, but industry needs to do more to educate its customers, the public and the media, according to experts speaking at the third World Vinyl Forum in Boston.

Schools Save Energy – and Money – With New Vinyl Roofs
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 24, 2007 (VNS) – Schools across the country are keeping cooler and saving tens of thousands of dollars a year in electricity costs by installing reflective vinyl membrane roofs, according to the Vinyl Institute.

Japanese Credit Energy-Saving PVC with Helping to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
TOKYO, Aug. 29, 2007 (VNS) – PVC is being “rediscovered” in Japan as an important material in this country’s efforts to curb global warming, according to the major Japanese daily Nikkan Gendai.

Earth Day 2007: How Vinyl Saves Energy, Water, and Reduces Greenhouse Emissions
ARLINGTON, Va., April 20, 2007 (VNS) – Since the first Earth Day in 1970, vinyl has played an ever-increasing role in helping Americans save energy, save water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Vinyl Institute said today.

Energy-Saving, Environmental Benefits of PVC Lauded
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 23, 2007 (VNS) – The energy-saving and environmental benefits of PVC (vinyl) plastic – from conserving drinking water to reducing CO2 greenhouse emissions – are detailed in a new report from the Vinyl Institute.

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Environment

Vinyl Windows Used in 1st Iowa Habitat for Humanity 'Green' Home
DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 22, 2008 – The first environmentally friendly Habitat for Humanity home in Iowa will feature vinyl windows supplied by Pella.

Vinyl Industry Offers 'Second Opinion' on Green Guide for Health Care
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 5, 2008 – The vinyl, chlorine, cement and other industries raised objections to material bias and discrimination in round-two comments on the Green Guide for Health Care.

PVC Floats Nurture Oysters, Clean Chesapeake Bay
HELLEN CREEK, Md., Aug. 22, 2008 (VNS) – Oyster ranchers have launched several floats made of PVC pipe in a passionate effort to replenish the oyster supply, and improve water quality.

Mannington Wins First Environmentally Preferred Product Designation for Vinyl Sheet Flooring
SALEM, N.J., July 16, 2008 (VNS) – Mannington Commercial gained an Environmentally Preferred Product (EPP) certification for all of its commercial inlaid resilient flooring.

Greenpeace Co-Founder Speaks Out Against Activist Attempts to Politicize Green Building Agenda
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22, 2008 (VNS) – Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore spoke out against activist environmental groups politicizinc the green building agenda.

Greenpeace co-Founder Says Anti-Phthalates Activists Running 'Campaign of Fear'
ARLINGTON, Va., April 25, 2008 (VNS) – Dr. Patrick Moore, chairman and chief scientist of Greenspirit Strategies, said April 22 in a Wall Street Journal Earth Day editorial that political agendas lacking scientific reason have led to campaigns against chlorine, PVC and phthalates.

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Health & Safety

Vinyl Industry Offers 'Second Opinion' on Green Guide for Health Care
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 5, 2008 – The vinyl, chlorine, cement and other industries raised objections to material bias and discrimination in round-two comments on the Green Guide for Health Care.

PVC Pipe Provides Lab Rat Habitat
ITAJAI, Brazil, July 25, 2008 (VNS) – Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and connectors are serving as unique respite for laboratory rats and mice, providing them with a more natural habitat.

PVC Pipe Saves Shark from Jaws of Life
CAPE BYRON MARINE PARK, New South Wales, Australia, July 17, 2008 (VNS) – An endangered grey nurse shark was freed from a giant gaff hook with the help of a PVC pipe.

Dr. Joseph Schwarcz Dismisses PVC Shower Curtain Scare
ARLINGTON, Va., JULY 14, 2008 – Dr. Joseph Schwarcz criticized the research methodology and claims made by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice alleging vinyl shower curtains are toxic.

‘New York Times’ Continues to Scrub PVC Shower Curtain Scare
ARLINGTON, Va., July 9, 2008 (VNS) – Weeks after an environmental group issued a report alleging PVC shower curtains are toxic and harmful, media organizations continue to discredit the report.

Shower Curtain Scare Story Called Exaggerated, 'Wild'
ARLINGTON, Va. June 26, 2008 (VNS) – An activist report claiming vinyl shower curtains are dangerous, was criticized by news organizations for its sloppy research and scare-mongering.

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Home

Uplifting Vinyl Cladding Program Renews Michigan Homes
MUSKEGON, Mich., Oct. 24, 2008 – An urban renewal program run by Muskegon, Michigan, offers free vinyl cladding to qualified homeowners.

Vinyl Windows Used in 1st Iowa Habitat for Humanity 'Green' Home
DES MOINES, Iowa, Oct. 22, 2008 – The first environmentally friendly Habitat for Humanity home in Iowa will feature vinyl windows supplied by Pella.

Shower Curtains Declared Harmless
ARLINGTON, Va., June 12, 2008 (VNS) – Decades of research and use prove that shower curtains made of vinyl are safe, effective and deserve their popularity, the Vinyl Institute said this morning.

'Curb Appeal' Upgrades, Energy Efficiency Promise Best Return for Home Sellers
ARLINGTON, Va., May 27, 2008 (VNS) – Curb appeal projects, including vinyl siding and new windows, help homes stand out from the competition, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Stronger PVC Windows Qualify for Use in Florida High-Rise
PORT RITCHIE, Fla., May 19, 2008 (VNS) – New storm-resistant vinyl windows are strong enough for high-rise buildings in Florida, where before only aluminum windows met the wind and water loads.

New American Home Showcases Vinyl, CPVC Products
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 27, 2008 (VNS) – From windows to pipes and sprinkler systems, vinyl and chlorinated PVC (CPVC) products are showcased in the 2008 New American Home, built especially for the International Builders’ Show held here earlier this month. The house is filled with ideas and innovations to inspire the thousands of builders and designers attending the show.

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Industry

Armstrong World Industries Opening Vinyl Flooring Plant in Pennsylvania
LANCASTER, Pa., Nov. 14, 2008 – Armstrong World Industries announced October 30th it will begin manufacturing fiberglass-backed vinyl residential flooring in the United States.

Playground Manufacturers Give PVC Products a Big Push
BALTIMORE, Md., Oct. 28, 2008 – Exhibitors at the National Recreation & Parks Association Trade Show showed united support for the benefits of their playground products made of or coated with PVC.

Brazil Boosts Imports of Vinyl Resin to Meet Demand
SAO PAULO, Brazil, Aug. 13, 2008 (VNS) – Vinyl resin consumption in Brazil will increase 10% in 2008, surpassing domestic capacities, and necessitating the import of 100,000 tons of resin in 2008.

Vinyl Flooring Industry Gains Ground Despite Current Housing Market
UNIONDALE, N.Y., July 24, 2008 (VNS) – The vinyl flooring industry grew 10.6 percent to $1.88 billion in the United States in 2007, while every other flooring market sector faced decreases.

Vinyl Institute Announces Staff Promotions & Additions, New Programs
ARLINGTON, Va., July 16, 2008 (VNS) – The Vinyl Institute (VI) began the month of July with staff promotions, new staff members, and a pledge from VI President Greg Bocchi to accelerate its marketing and promotional efforts to benefit vinyl resin manufacturers and the makers of vinyl products.

Sustainable Infrastructure Awards Showcase Performance of PVC Pipe
EDMONTON, Alberta, April 10, 2008 (VNS) – Three utilities — two in Canada and one in the United States — received the first International Awards for Sustainable Infrastructure.

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Recycling

Recycling Programs Collect Vinyl Flooring from Construction Sites, Old Buildings
HOUSTON, March 20, 2008 (VNS) – Vinyl flooring manufacturers are collecting installation waste from construction sites and even experimenting with reclaiming used vinyl flooring.

The Gates© New York City Project to be Featured in HBO Documentary
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 25, 2008 (VNS) – The Gates©, which for 16 days in February 2005, brightened a wintry New York City with 23 miles of orange banners that were supported by 7,500 frames made of recyclable vinyl, is the focus of a new HBO® documentary to debut on the network Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 10 p.m., Eastern and Pacific times.

Increasing Demand for Recyclable Vinyl Wallcoverings
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 11, 2008 (VNS) – Last year, LSI Wallcovering, a privately owned company here, closed the recycling loop for vinyl wallcovering by becoming the first operation in North America to collect old product and recycle it into a new line of vinyl wallcoverings.

Drywall Waste Diverted From Landfill to Vinyl Carpet Backing and Tile
SALEM, N.J., Feb. 1, 2008 (VNS) – Tapping one of the largest construction waste streams, flooring company Mannington Industries is recycling drywall gypsum, adding it to vinyl carpet backing and vinyl tile. In the past year, Mannington has recycled over 115 tons of drywall waste.

Recycling to be Priority of Vinyl Roofing Industry
CLEVELAND, Jan. 10, 2008 – With its European counterparts blazing the trail, the North American vinyl (PVC) roofing industry announced a new phase in its commitment to environmental sustainability through recycling. The Vinyl Roofing Division of the Chemical Fabrics & Film Association has initiated a feasibility study to evaluate strategies for making post-consumer recycling in North America viable on a broad scale.

Focus On Recycled Vinyl at Greenbuild Expo
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 2, 2007 (VNS) – Millions of pounds of reclaimed and recycled vinyl are used annually by manufacturers of building products, many of which will be on display at this year’s bigger-than-ever Greenbuild conference and expo at McCormick Place in Chicago, November 7-9.

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