Emerging technical and society trends—opportunities for vinyl: A look at the future and how the vinyl industry can respond for growth and profit

Abstract

The vinyl industry has a rich history of providing solutions to societyk needs. These include flame-resistant wire insulation, piping systems for safe drinking water, and weatherable, flame-resistant systems for siding, windows, auto interiors, floors, and pool liners. Also included are shatter-resistant clear containers with handles, safe blood supplies and intravenous solutions, and flame-resistant computer housings and electrical boxes. These are but a few of the things of which the vinyl industry can be proud.The vinyl industry is mature, and as in many other mature industries, much of the technical and business effort goes into running the day-to-day businesses, putting out fires, reducing costs, and driving efficiencies. If poorly managed, this will be an all-consuming effort, leaving no thought and no effort at all on longerterm business opportunities. The future will look much different than today. Identifymg future trends will allow well-managed companies, looking for these future business opportunities, to seek out and set aside some efforts for developing future technologies and businesses. In this paper we discuss some future trends and needs, such as inexpensive and safe drinking water, personalized public transportation, prevention of resource depletion, high-powered energy packages, nonpolluting energy sources, human genetic engineering, e-bombs, and computers. The opportunities for the vinyl industry to participate in these changes also are discussed.