OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF PLASTICS IN WINDOW MANUFACTURING

 

DOWNLOAD DOI: 10.62897/COS2025.3-1.218

Rita Rebeka Ördög*, Virág Luca Bódi, Tamás Horváth
*Széchenyi István University, Egyetem tér 1, 9026 Győr, Hungary
ordogrita2@gmail.com

Abstract: Plastic window production is a key segment of today’s construction industry, with significant economic, environmental and social impacts. PVC, as the most widely used raw material, dominates due to its favorable price-performance ratio and good physical properties, however, its production and waste management pose a serious environmental burden. The aim of our research is to investigate the replacement of PVC parts or their complete replacement with more environmentally friendly polymers, with particular attention to the possibilities of biopolymers and recycled plastics (r-PVC). During the analyses, we assessed the performance, economic viability and life cycle impacts of alternative materials. Based on our results, biopolymers in their current form do not meet the technical requirements for windows and doors, while the use of r-PVC proved to be the most promising solution from both an environmental and economic perspective. The study highlighted that recycled PVC provides broader industrial support for strengthening the circular economy and achieving social sustainability goals.

 

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