Perforated Window Films – PVC or Non-PVC?
If your customers are asking for PVC-Free perforated window graphics, Contra Vision has the products you need. Wondering which product to choose? We’ve got you covered with expert guidance.
Times are indeed evolving, particularly with growing environmental consciousness. Today, individuals are increasingly mindful of their impact on the environment and strive to make choices that positively influence it. Moreover, there’s a shift in how environmentally focused messages promoting actions and products are perceived. There’s now a heightened level of scrutiny and ill-informed decisions are being punished, as are misleading messages promoting products under the general headline of ‘greenwashing.’
With this in mind, we offer a straightforward explanation about the products offered by Contra Vision when comparing PVC vs Polyester Window Film. Our intention is to provide you with the necessary information to make informed decisions about the products you incorporate into your projects.
The Benefits of PVC & Vinyl Window Film
Many Contra Vision perforated products are made of Vinyl or PVC. Despite the widespread demand for ‘PVC Free’ products, we, and other responsible manufacturing companies continue to use it to make products and not without reason. PVC is among the most improved of all industrial plastics available. Its versatility allows for the production of a wide array of forms including perforated window film.
PVC Window Film Benefits:
- Cost-Effectiveness: PVC films are generally more cost-effective compared to widely promoted PVC free alternatives, for example polyester.
- Flexibility: PVC films offer good flexibility, making them suitable for application on curved or challenging surfaces. They are flexible in the sense of versatility too.
- Printability: PVC films provide excellent printability, yielding vibrant, high-resolution graphics. They are compatible with a wide range of printing technologies, such as Latex, Eco-Solvent, and UV.
- Durability: PVC films offer excellent internal and external durability. With any finished graphic that is exposed to outdoor elements, such as UV radiation and extreme weather conditions, print and media can deteriorate over time. The benefit of PVC is that both short-term (Campaign – monomeric PVC) and long-term (Performance – polymeric PVC) products can be specifically engineered to deliver the required timespan.
- Environmental Concerns: PVC is not seen as an environmentally friendly product. It is not easily biodegradable and is known to emit toxic fumes if incinerated without appropriate measures being taken. There are many versions of PVC on the market, and Contra Vision always source REACH compliant and phthalate free PVC for its products. PVC is being admitted now to specialist recycling streams however, and as these continue to develop, PVC will continue on its improvement trajectory.
PVC Free Products…
In January 2024 Contra Vision introduced its first PVC free perforated window film. Manufactured from Polyester, also known as PET or Polyethylene Terephthalates, this synthetic polymer boasts exceptional strength and durability, making it a popular choice for various applications.
Polyester Window Film (PET) benefits
- Durability: Polyester films demonstrate exceptional durability in specific aspects, offering excellent resistance against tearing, stretching, and abrasion. This quality renders them ideal for manufacturing carbonated drink bottles and various other types of packaging. They excel in long-term outdoor applications, enduring harsh conditions with ease. However, it’s worth noting that they may not provide the same level of UV resistance compared to PVC films.
- Printability: Polyester films, suitably treated, deliver high-quality print results with sharp details and vibrant colours. They are compatible with most modern digital printing technologies, including, Latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV.
- Environmental Impact: Polyester is considered more environmentally friendly than PVC but the recycling process for polyester films poses challenges in available recycling streams due to the presence of adhesives and coatings.
- Strength: Polyester has physical properties that make it good for packaging application requiring very high resistance to stretching. However, this same property presents challenges when applying it to surfaces with even moderately complex curves, such as rear vehicle windows.
- Cost: Polyester films are generally more expensive than PVC films, which may impact budget-sensitive projects.
Contra Vision offers both PVC and PVC-free products, and the choice between them depends on various factors. Environmentally conscious strategies are at the forefront of Contra Vision’s development efforts. We actively engage in local initiatives that support environmental causes, and our products deliver a range of benefits aimed at mitigating their impact. It is important to highlight that both product lines possess properties that make them suitable for creating cost-effective, long-lasting graphics, which in turn offer numerous environmental advantages – energy savings for example.
PVC Free Products…
In January 2024 Contra Vision introduced its first PVC free perforated window film. Manufactured from Polyester, also known as PET or Polyethylene Terephthalates, this synthetic polymer boasts exceptional strength and durability, making it a popular choice for various applications.
Polyester Window Film (PET) benefits
- Durability: Polyester films demonstrate exceptional durability in specific aspects, offering excellent resistance against tearing, stretching, and abrasion. This quality renders them ideal for manufacturing carbonated drink bottles and various other types of packaging. They excel in long-term outdoor applications, enduring harsh conditions with ease. However, it’s worth noting that they may not provide the same level of UV resistance compared to PVC films.
- Printability: Polyester films, suitably treated, deliver high-quality print results with sharp details and vibrant colours. They are compatible with most modern digital printing technologies, including, Latex, solvent, eco-solvent, and UV.
- Environmental Impact: Polyester is considered more environmentally friendly than PVC but the recycling process for polyester films poses challenges in available recycling streams due to the presence of adhesives and coatings.
- Strength: Polyester has physical properties that make it good for packaging application requiring very high resistance to stretching. However, this same property presents challenges when applying it to surfaces with even moderately complex curves, such as rear vehicle windows.
- Cost: Polyester films are generally more expensive than PVC films, which may impact budget-sensitive projects.
Contra Vision offers both PVC and PVC-free products, and the choice between them depends on various factors. Environmentally conscious strategies are at the forefront of Contra Vision’s development efforts. We actively engage in local initiatives that support environmental causes, and our products deliver a range of benefits aimed at mitigating their impact. It is important to highlight that both product lines possess properties that make them suitable for creating cost-effective, long-lasting graphics, which in turn offer numerous environmental advantages – energy savings for example.
