Vinyl industry honors 30 companies for sustainable strides
Thirty companies have been +Vantage Vinyl Verified this year for making sustainable practices a business imperative.
Launched in 2019 by the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC), a partner of the Washington-based Vinyl Institute, the vantage program recognizes companies for taking steps to improve environmental stewardship, social diligence, collaboration and openness about communications.
Company verifications for the voluntary initiative are performed by GreenCircle Certified LLC, an independent third-party auditor that assesses and certifies products, processes and operations.
The +Vantage Vinyl program aims to achieve sustainability in operations and practices. For 2024, there are five first-time verifications and 25 re-verifications.
The newcomers to the list include Malvern, Pa.-based building products manufacturer CertainTeed LLC, Midland, Mich.-based Dow, Mountaintop, Pa.-based lm manufacturer i2M, Pinehurst, N.C.-based Performance Additives, and Archbald, Pa.-based sheet and rod producer Simona America Group.
VSC officials say these companies are not only focused on continuous improvement when it comes to resource efficiency, emissions, and health and safety, they are being transparent about it by reporting their progress every year.
The goal is to raise the bar for industry best practices, according to VSC Executive Director Jay Thomas.
“+Vantage Vinyl verified companies are leaders in sustainability in the vinyl industry,” Thomas said in a news release.
Companies that meet program standards can use a trademark and brand to show customers their verification as a sustainable choice. The designation could distinguish a business as a preferred supplier.
“Specifying products from +Vantage Vinyl verified companies provides assurance of working with organizations committed to sustainable business practices,” Thomas said. “We encourage everyone in the industry to join us on this sustainability journey and Earn the Mark.”
Participants have to be re-veried annually. The 25 re-verifications include: 3M, Achilles USA, Aurora, Avery Dennison, Azek Co., Baerlocher Production USA LLC, Cornerstone Building Brands, Deceuninck North America, Eastman, Formosa Plastics, Geon Performance Solutions, HMTX Industries, IB Roof Systems, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Mannington Mills Inc., Norac Additives LLC, Omnova, A Division of Surteco, OxyChem, ProFusion Industries, Shintech Inc., Sika Corp., Tarket, Teknor Apex, Orbia Polymer Solutions (Vestolit) and Westlake Corp.
Thomas said all gains in participation are important. He estimates there are more than 3,000 companies in the vinyl industry.
Currently, about 75 companies are members of the VSC and have representatives on task forces focused on resource efficiency, communities and emissions.
VSC oversees the +Vantage Vinyl program for the Vinyl Institute.
