The world production of PVC (and therefore VC) in 1998 was about 27 million tonnes. PVC accounts for 20% of plastics material usage and is used in most industrial sectors. About 95% of the world production of VC is used for the production of PVC. The remainder goes into the production of chlorinated solvents, primarily 1,1,1-trichloroethane (10 000 tonnes/year).