PVC

The usual short form for polyvinyl chloride, a versatile synthetic polymer used in food packaging films, cling films, bottles, and blister packs. Its clarity, cling, and barrier properties suit wrapping fresh meats, produce, and bakery products, while plasticized formulations provide flexibility. Food-contact grades must comply with strict migration limits, particularly for vinyl chloride monomer and plasticizers such as phthalates, which regulators have progressively restricted. Although widely used, PVC faces environmental criticism over chlorine chemistry and disposal, driving substitution by polyolefins and other materials in many packaging applications.