PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a type of plastic that has become somewhat ubiquitous in recent years. While the Origins of PVC is widely used and easily accessible today, PVC has a rich and interesting history that may certainly surprise you!
As professional PVC material suppliers in South Africa, IPC takes you on a trip back in time to discover the origins of PVC and its rise to international popularity.
The Beginnings
The first interesting fact about PVC’s history is the fact that PVC was actually ‘discovered’ twice. First by French physicist, Henri Victor Regnault, in 1838, and second by German chemist Eugen Baumann in 1872. Neither Regnault nor Baumann did much with their discoveries, but both noted that the polymer turned into a white solid when combined with vinyl chloride.
First Commercial Applications
PVC would have to wait until 1913 before it began its first commercial applications. German inventor, Friedrich Heinrich August Klatte, took out the patent on PVC and he created an effective polymerization method.
Over the next few decades, many different operations and establishments began noticing the potential of PVC. Tyre company, B.F. Goodrich hired a team of industrial scientists to find an alternative to natural rubber- a material that was becoming extremely expensive. The lead scientist, Waldo Semon, came up with the idea to use PVC as a water-resistant coating. This is when PVC sales and production really took off.
The Rise of PVC
Soon, many other applications for PVC were discovered, such as wiring insulation for military ships, and many more.
PVC’s many advantageous properties, such as light resistance and affordability, which became better known over time and thus the material’s popularity continued to soar.
Over the years, improvements were made and PVC became a staple in the plumbing, construction, and electrical industries.
Today, we see PVC being used in textiles, clothing, healthcare, IT, and many more industries. It has become woven into the fabric of our daily lives.
Are you looking for reliable PVC material suppliers in South Africa?
Innovative PVC Compounds, based in KZN, has decades of valuable experience in the industry, and we have a wide range of PVC compounds for you to choose from. We invite you to browse our site to learn more or get in touch with us today.
