Polyvinyl chloride (PVC ), a durable and versatile plastic that can be rigid or flexible, is used in many products, including pipes, vinyl flooring, electrical wire insulation, synthetic leather and shrink-wrap. Sixty million tons of PVC are produced each year, and because it can take more than 450 years to biodegrade, it contaminates soil and groundwater for centuries.

A recent study published in Nature reports on the development of a mild chemical process to upcycle PVC waste into polyalphaolefin, an ingredient used in various lubricants. This approach offers two potential environmental benefits: reducing plastic waste and sustainably producing high-performance base oils for industrial lubricants and engine oils.