The Vinyl Institute

What The Vinyl Institute does

The Vinyl Institute (VI) is a U.S. nonprofit trade association founded in 1982, headquartered in Washington, DC, that represents the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), vinyl additives, and modifiers in the United States. The institute serves a vinyl industry that generates an estimated $54 billion in economic value, employs over 350,000 workers, and operates nearly 3,000 manufacturing facilities. Its core mission centers on industry advocacy before Congress, federal regulatory agencies (notably EPA on TSCA chemical evaluations), and international bodies (the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, where VI holds accredited observer status since 2023), complemented by sustainability programming through its wholly-owned Vinyl Sustainability Council (founded 2016).

The institute's product portfolio comprises six core offerings: the Vinyl Sustainability Council as the governance platform for industry sustainability; the +Vantage Vinyl verification program, which evaluates companies on 29 Guiding Principles across five pillars (with 30 companies verified and 88% average compliance as of August 2024); the VIABILITY Recycling Grant Program, which commits up to $1 million annually over three years from four PVC resin manufacturers (Formosa, Oxy, Shintech, Westlake) to accelerate post-consumer PVC recycling; the PVC/Vinyl Recycling Directory covering 100+ recyclers across North America; the Vinyl360 annual conference; and the Congressional Fly-In advocacy event.

The institute operates on a subscription-recurring revenue model funded by membership dues from PVC resin manufacturers and downstream product associations. Its go-to-market is relationship-driven: direct member engagement with enterprise manufacturers, in-person lobbying through the annual Fly-In (engaging 45+ Congressional offices), and convening events (Vinyl360). The organization maintains a small staff of 1–10 employees and channels roughly $2 million+ in cumulative grant commitments through the VIABILITY program to recyclers, universities, and downstream partners.

Name

The Vinyl Institute

Legal name

The Vinyl Institute

Website

https://vinylinfo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Vinyl Institute is a U.S. trade association founded in 1982 that represents leading vinyl, VCM, and vinyl additive manufacturers, providing federal and international regulatory advocacy, the +Vantage Vinyl sustainability verification program, the VIABILITY recycling grant program, and the Vinyl Sustainability Council.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Trade Association Services

NAICS

Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)

SIC

Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)

akta.pro primary industry

PVC & Chlor-Vinyl Chain (Chlor-Alkali, EDC/VCM, PVC) (IMAEADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

PVC & Chlorinated Polymers (IMAEANAB), Reprocessed Resin & Recycled Polymer Compounding (PCR/PIR Compounds) (IMANAMAG), Recycled & Reprocessed Polymer Resin Manufacturing (rPET, rPP, rPE; PCR/PIR resins) (IMANAAAH), Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK)

Keywords

• Vinyl trade association
• PVC sustainability advocacy
• Industry verification programs
• Recycling grant funding
• Manufacturing policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The Vinyl Institute generates revenue through membership dues from leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives, and modifiers. The association represents member interests through advocacy, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory engagement.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Vinyl Institute is a U.S. trade association representing leading manufacturers of vinyl (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives, and modifiers. It delivers member services including federal and state regulatory advocacy, sustainability verification through the +Vantage Vinyl program, recycling infrastructure funding via the VIABILITY grant program, industry data and research, and a PVC/Vinyl Recycling Directory connecting users with recyclers across North America.

Product overview

The Vinyl Institute is a U.S. trade association representing vinyl manufacturers that offers a portfolio of sustainability, verification, and recycling programs rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include the Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC) as a collaborative platform, the +Vantage Vinyl™ sustainability verification program, the VIABILITY™ Recycling Grant Program for post-consumer PVC recycling, and the PVC/Vinyl Recycling Directory as an online tool. These programs work together to advance the vinyl industry's sustainability goals, with the VSC providing the governance framework, +Vantage Vinyl™ providing third-party verification, VIABILITY providing funding for recycling projects, and the Recycling Directory connecting users with recyclers. The Institute also hosts the annual Vinyl360 Conference and Congressional Fly-In events for industry engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• +Vantage Vinyl: A sustainability verification initiative and framework that evaluates companies on performance to 29 Guiding Principles related to five pillars of sustainability: Environmental Stewardship, Social Diligence, Economic Soundness, Collaboration and Open Communications.
• VIABILITY

Products and services

• Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC) A collaborative platform founded in 2016 in partnership with the Vinyl Institute for companies, organizations, and industry stakeholders to advance the U.S. vinyl industry's contribution to sustainable development; operates the +Vantage Vinyl verification program and sets industry sustainability goals.
• +Vantage Vinyl Sustainability Verification Program A sustainability verification program that evaluates companies against 29 Guiding Principles across five pillars (Environmental Stewardship, Social Diligence, Economic Soundness, Collaboration, and Open Communications) using independent third-party verification; as of August 2024, 30 companies were verified with an 88% average compliance rate.
• VIABILITY Recycling Grant Program A first-of-its-kind industry-wide recycling grant program providing up to $1 million annually over three years (funded by Formosa, Oxy, Shintech, and Westlake) to projects that enhance post-consumer PVC recycling, including equipment purchases, process investments, research and development, and educational programs.
• PVC/Vinyl Recycling Directory An online directory tool that helps users locate vinyl recycling drop-off points by zip code and material type, featuring an interactive map, material-specific filters, and educational resources on proper recycling preparation; covers over 100 PVC recyclers across North America.
• Vinyl360 Annual Conference The annual industry conference bringing together members from across the vinyl value chain for networking, education, industry updates, awards, and strategic planning sessions.
• Congressional Fly-In An annual advocacy event where vinyl industry leaders meet with legislators and their staff on Capitol Hill to discuss important vinyl industry issues, including water infrastructure investment and regulatory reform; the 2026 event takes place April 20-22 in Washington, DC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.1 billion pounds of PVC recycled annually in the U.S. and Canada
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Waterboys / Chris Long FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Waterboys is a project of The Chris Long Foundation that collaborates with Water Well Trust and Ferguson Enterprises on water well projects for families in need. The Vinyl Institute participates as a donor, providing PVC pipe materials for these charitable water infrastructure projects.
• Xylem Inc. (Watermark)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Xylem Inc.'s Watermark initiative partners with Waterboys and Water Well Trust on domestic water scarcity projects. Xylem provides donations and equipment for well drilling projects, with the Vinyl Institute contributing PVC pipe materials.
• Ferguson EnterprisesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Ferguson Enterprises, a supplier of plumbing and building products, partners with Waterboys and Water Well Trust on charitable well drilling projects. The company participates in volunteer activities and equipment donations.
• VMB Micro LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Awarded $100,000 VIABILITY grant to launch the Record Vinyl Recycling Project, the first U.S.-based consumer return infrastructure for vinyl records using VMB Micro's patented MicroShear micronization technology. Phase I launching at Dallas/Fort Worth facility.
• Virterras Materials Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 February 2026Collaboration partner in the Record Vinyl Recycling Project with VMB Micro, contributing to the development of vinyl record recycling infrastructure using micronization technology.
• Vinyl Record Manufacturers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Industry collaboration partner in the Record Vinyl Recycling Project, working to divert vinyl records from landfills and create clean material streams for re-pressing new records.
• Geared for GreenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Environmental consulting partner collaborating on the Record Vinyl Recycling Project, providing expertise on sustainable recycling solutions for vinyl records.
• The Plastics Center at Northeastern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Awarded $100,000 VIABILITY grant for a year-long initiative to assess and demonstrate feasibility of recycling single-use vinyl across Boston's major healthcare systems serving over 6 million patients annually. Proceeding in three phases throughout 2026.
• Chlor-Vinyl Industry AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025Coalition formed by the Vinyl Institute to serve as central resource for advocacy efforts and regulatory engagement including TSCA chemical management. David Fischer (former EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator) serves as first Chair.
• Chemical Fabrics and Film Association (CFFA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023First-round VIABILITY grant recipient ($460,000+ total). CFFA's Vinyl Roofing Division leads recycling for single-ply roofing products, with 19.2 million pounds of pre-consumer and 1 million pounds of post-consumer PVC roof membrane recycled in 2022.
• Every ShelterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023VIABILITY grant recipient that repurposes vinyl billboards into shelter for refugees and disaster relief tarps. Upcycled vinyl tarps have 24-month service life vs. 30 days for FEMA tarps.
• Kelly Green Board, LLCminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023VIABILITY grant recipient developing circular use of PVC roofing membrane in roof board products containing 50% post-consumer roofing membrane and 50% post-consumer carton packaging.
• Norwich Plastics and Rochester Regional Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023VIABILITY grant recipient developing MediVinyl+ Clean PVC Medical Reclaim and Recycling pilot program to prove viability of medical recycling program in the U.S., building on successful programs in Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
• Oregon State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023VIABILITY grant recipient researching production of high-quality waxes from PVC by hydrothermal treatment and hydrogenation, with potential to address single-use PVC waste and open adhesive market for PVC upcycling.
• Vinyl Siding Institute / Vinyl Siding Recycling CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 May 2023VIABILITY grant recipient leading pilot program in Northeast Ohio that has recycled 125,000 pounds of post-consumer residential vinyl siding, with goal to recycle 5 million pounds annually by 2026.
• Water Well TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2021The Vinyl Institute partners with Water Well Trust, a national nonprofit providing clean water to American families. VI contributed funds for PVC pipe in well drilling projects. Joint projects include the Vande Brakes family well in Virginia and the LaBille family well in Maryland, providing 400-foot deep wells using PVC pipe with 100+ year service life.
• Vinyl Sustainability Council (VSC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Founded in 2016 as a collaborative platform for advancing sustainability across the vinyl industry. The VSC develops the +Vantage Vinyl verification program and sets industry sustainability goals including increasing post-consumer recycling to 160 million pounds by 2025.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS): Primary U.S. trade association representing the broader plastics industry. Directly comparable as a peer trade body running advocacy, sustainability, and regulatory programs for plastics manufacturers, with overlapping membership and overlapping federal policy priorities.
• European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers (ECVM): European trade body for PVC resin manufacturers within the broader PVC value chain. Directly comparable as a regional peer trade association focused on PVC manufacturers, with similar advocacy and sustainability missions.
• Chlorine Institute: U.S. trade association for chlor-alkali producers, the upstream feedstock for PVC. Comparable as a peer trade body with overlapping membership (chlor-alkali/PVC manufacturers), shared regulatory concerns, and parallel advocacy on TSCA and EPA rulemaking.
• VinylPlus: European PVC industry sustainability program with Voluntary Commitments framework focused on recycling, sustainable manufacturing, and stakeholder engagement. Direct functional peer running a parallel sustainability/verification program for PVC manufacturers in Europe.

Emerging players

• Alliance to End Plastic Waste: Industry-funded coalition focused on advancing circular economy solutions for plastic waste globally. Comparable as a peer sustainability funding/advocacy body; partial overlap with VI's VIABILITY program and recycling directory efforts.

Broad incumbents

• American Chemistry Council (ACC): Large U.S. trade association representing the broader chemical industry, including chlor-alkali and vinyl producers. Comparable as a peer advocacy and sustainability organization with substantially broader scope and larger member base; ACC's Chlorine Chemistry Division overlaps directly with VI's membership.

Regional players

• Canadian Vinyl Institute (Vinyl Institute of Canada): Canadian trade association representing PVC/vinyl manufacturers with similar sustainability and recycling initiatives. Regional peer running a comparable mandate for the Canadian market, with cross-border membership overlap with U.S. resin producers.
• American Coatings Association (ACA): U.S. trade association for coatings manufacturers, downstream users of vinyl resins. Comparable as a peer chemical/industrial trade association with similar advocacy and sustainability frameworks; some shared regulatory exposure around EPA chemical management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vinyl_institute
• Facebookfacebook.com/vinylinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-vinyl-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Vinyl Institute