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The future of PVC heat shrink tubing
Technical · Heat Shrink Tube · PVC / Alternative
What's Next for PVC Heat Shrink Tubing?
What's Next for PVC Heat Shrink Tubing?
Discontinuation Background and Alternative Selection Guide
Conclusion: PVC products are being phased out due to stricter environmental regulations and price competition. The transition to alternative materials like polyolefin is becoming mainstream.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) heat shrink tubing was once widely used in electrical and automotive equipment due to its excellent oil resistance, weather resistance, and insulation properties. Known as "Hishi Tube," it held a high market share in Japan, but has recently disappeared from the market and been discontinued. This article explains the background and key points for selecting alternatives.
Background of Discontinuation — Two Main Reasons
① Difficulty in complying with environmental regulations (RoHS, REACH, TSCA)
PVC is a halogen-containing material, which poses a risk of chlorine gas generation during combustion. With the tightening of environmental regulations like RoHS and REACH, it began to undergo strict evaluation. As a result, the replacement with halogen-free materials (such as polyolefins) has progressed, and PVC products gradually lost demand. Furthermore, regulations such as the US TSCA are expected to become even stricter for PVC products in the future.
② Price competition with polyolefin products
The emergence of low-cost, mass-produced polyolefin tubing significantly reduced the price competitiveness of PVC products. The advantages of choosing polyolefin products, which are environmentally compliant and low-cost, became so significant that there was little compelling reason to choose PVC.
How to Choose an Alternative? — Main Materials and Features
Currently, products made from the following materials have become mainstream, replacing PVC tubing. Products that can be used for similar applications as PVC tubing can be selected based on criteria such as shrink temperature, shrink ratio, heat resistance, and insulation performance.
Most Common · Most Common
Polyolefin-based
Excellent flexibility, halogen-free, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. The first choice for PVC replacement. Available in various grades such as general-purpose, flame-retardant, and waterproof.
First choice for PVC replacement
High Performance
Fluororesin-based (FEP・PTFE)
Excellent high heat resistance and chemical resistance, ideal for precision equipment, medical, and scientific fields. Highly transparent and suitable for use in harsh environmental conditions.
Flexible · Focus on Flexibility
Silicone-based
Excellent flexibility and stable performance over a wide temperature range. Can be used in medical applications, food machinery, and high-temperature environments.
Rubber · Rubber-based
EPDM-based
Rubber-based material with excellent flexibility and weather resistance. Suitable for outdoor installation and vibrating environments, with a proven track record in automotive and construction machinery.
| Material | Features・Main Applications |
|---|---|
| Polyolefin | Flexible, halogen-free, environmentally friendly, cost-effective. Strongest candidate for PVC replacement. General-purpose, flame-retardant, and waterproof grades available. |
| Fluororesin (FEP・PTFE) |
High heat resistance, high chemical resistance. Ideal for precision equipment, medical, and scientific fields. |
| Silicone | Excellent flexibility and heat resistance. Can be used for medical and food machinery applications. |
| EPDM | Rubber-based with excellent flexibility and weather resistance. For outdoor, automotive, and construction machinery. |
For those troubled by discontinued products — Denka Electron's Proposal
We propose alternatives to discontinued PVC heat shrink tubing.
We propose alternatives to discontinued PVC heat shrink tubing. We will guide you to the optimal product based on your requirements for size, color, and material. We also respond to consultations such as "I want to switch to a halogen-free product of the same size" or "I am looking for an alternative with the same shrink ratio."
Summary · Summary
Reasons for PVC discontinuation
Strengthening environmental regulations (RoHS, REACH, TSCA) and price competition with polyolefin products
Future regulatory trends
Market for PVC products expected to shrink further due to anticipated stricter regulations like US TSCA
Alternative options
Polyolefin (strongest candidate), fluororesin, silicone, EPDM - 4 types
Selection criteria
Identify equivalent products based on shrink temperature, shrink ratio, heat resistance, insulation performance, and environmental compliance
The discontinuation of PVC heat shrink tubing is due to a complex interplay of factors, including the difficulty of complying with environmental regulations and intensifying price competition. However, a variety of alternative materials are now available on the market to cover these needs. Please feel free to contact us if you need help selecting a product.
For inquiries about selecting PVC alternatives and samples
Please let us know the part number, size, and application of the discontinued product, and we will propose the most suitable alternative.
