Since 1981, the IOM3 PVC Conference Series has been at the heart of the global vinyl industry. What began over four decades ago has evolved into the world's leading forum for knowledge sharing, innovation and collaboration, bringing together experts from across the PVC value chain. Organised by the industry for the industry, the conference series provides unmatched insight into market trends, technical developments and sustainability progress, supported by a growing network of respected international association partners.

A Rich History of Industry Leadership

Established in 1981 under the auspices of the Plastics and Rubber Institute (PRI), the triennial series hosted its inaugural event at the Metropole Hotel in Brighton. The conference quickly became the definitive gathering for PVC professionals worldwide. In 1993, the PRI merged with the Institute of Metals and the Institute of Ceramics to form the Institute of Materials. The institute's reach expanded further in 2002 through a subsequent merger with the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, forming the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). Under this prominent professional umbrella, the PVC conference series grew its international footprint, bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application.

Royal Patronage and Prestige

The conference series benefits from IOM3's deeply rooted prestige, highlighted by a long-standing association with the British Royal Family that dates back to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII. For the plastics sector, a pivotal milestone occurred in 1973 when the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, became the first Honorary Fellow of the Plastics Institute. Following a review of royal patronages, His Majesty King Charles III graciously accepted the Patronage of IOM3, continuing a century-old tradition of monarchic support that elevates the global standing of the institute and its flagship events.

Resilience and Evolution

Over more than four decades, the PVC industry has navigated substantial macro challenges and regulatory shifts. The conference series has consistently served as the critical testing ground for the sector's resilience:

• The Stabiliser Transition (2000–2015): The industry successfully managed a massive technical overhaul driven by voluntary sector commitments and tightening global safety frameworks, culminating in the complete European phase-out of lead-based stabilisers.
• The Plasticiser Evolution (2000s–Present): Driven by expanding EU REACH directives, the industry has undertaken continuous research and technical innovation to reformulate and shift away from restricted legacy ortho-phthalate plasticisers toward safer alternatives.
• The Circular Economy Challenge (2000–2030): Following the initial Vinyl 2010 initiative, the sector has focused heavily on scaling post-consumer waste management. The conference series has been central to evaluating advancements in automated sorting, additive separation, and chemical recycling to hit ambitious sector goals, such as recycling 900,000 tonnes of PVC annually.
• Pandemic Disruptions: In 2020, the live event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It adapted in 2021 by successfully transitioning to a fully virtual format, ensuring the global vinyl community remained unified and informed.
• A New Era: In 2024, marking a bold new chapter, the event moved to a world-class venue—the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) in Scotland—setting a new benchmark for cross-border industry collaboration.

Looking Forward: PVC 2027 & Our Global Network

The upcoming triennial edition, PVC 2027, will return to the EICC in Edinburgh on 12–15 April 2027 under the banner "A Global Platform for PVC Progress."

The true global influence of this series is anchored by active representation from international PVC and plastics associations. Spearheaded by the IOM3, this wide network of regional bodies ensures that the conference presents a comprehensive global perspective, drawing together insights, speakers, and organising committee representation from every major continent:

• Europe & UK: VinylPlus and the British Plastics Federation (BPF) driving regional policy, industrial footprint, and technical frameworks.
• The Americas: The Vinyl Institute (US), AAPVC (Argentina), and Instituto Brasileiro do PVC representing key market drivers and technical education across North and South America.
• Asia & India: The Asean Vinyl Council and Indian Vinyl Council anchoring rapidly expanding Asian supply chains and infrastructure demands.
• Oceania & Africa: The Vinyl Council Australia and the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) spearheading sustainability initiatives, material stewardship, and regional growth.

With this united global backing, the event regularly draws hundreds of senior executives, technical directors, and polymer scientists from more than 44 countries. As the industry pushes toward a low-carbon, circular future, PVC 2027 stands as the definitive, peer-reviewed stage for global cross-sector collaboration.

Today, the IOM3 PVC Conference Series remains dedicated to driving innovation, addressing regulatory challenges, and shaping a sustainable future for the vinyl sector.

Meet our Organising Committee