Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can be converted into flexible articles
after plasticization, which accounted for around 35% of total
consumption in 2010 (The World Petrochemical report, 2011).
Although starch filled PVC can maintain the strength nearly equivalent
to that obtained with PVC containing conventional inorganic
fillers, and increase water absorption and high biodegradability
(Westhoff et al., 1974), these flexible PVC products are restricted
for use due to high environmental and health risks. Following the
updated emission limits for air toxics from PVC production (The US
Environmental Protection Agency, 2011), researchers have therefore
been working on sustainable alternatives for flexible PVC in
synthetic leather, such as automotive coverstock.