The chemical method of making PVC involves using the simplest units, called monomers, and linking these monomer molecules together during the polymerization process to form long molecular chains called polymers (also called macromolecules).

This is the case of PVC, which is made from vinyl chloride monomer, usually known by its initial VCM by polymerization. Some monomers exist in the form of reactive gaseous chemicals, and when in direct contact with humans, some of these monomers may cause health hazards. In these cases, they are produced and processed under strict control to protect health, safety and the environment.

On the other hand, polymers such as PVC are made from monomers through polymerization, which are solid and chemically stable substances, so they do not affect human health. VCM is the raw material of PVC, which is a gas at ambient temperature, but is usually stored in liquid form under pressure. Ethylene and chlorine are raw materials for PVC.

Through the thermal cracking of naphtha or natural gas, the basic petrochemical industry produces ethylene and propylene. Naphtha is mainly supplied by the petroleum refining industry, which uses crude oil as a raw material. The chlor-alkali industry uses industrial-grade salt as the main raw material to produce caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen through electrolysis.

In the first stage of the PVC production process, ethylene and chlorine are mixed to produce an intermediate product called dichloroethane; then it is converted into vinyl chloride, which is the basic building block of polyvinyl chloride or PVC. The "polymerization" process links vinyl chloride molecules together to form PVC chains. The PVC produced in this way is in the form of a white powder. This is not used alone, but mixed with other ingredients to provide various product formulations.

Most commercial plastics are mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen. The difference between PVC is that it contains chlorine (approximately 57% by weight) as well as carbon and hydrogen. The presence of chlorine in the molecule makes PVC particularly versatile because it makes it compatible with various other materials. The chlorine content also helps make PVC flame retardant. It can also be used as a "marker" to distinguish PVC in an automatic sorting system for plastic recycling. PVC formulations can be formed by various technologies and use very little energy to make the final product form. PVC polymer is chemically stable, neutral and non-toxic. PVC formulations have a wide range of applications, including the most sensitive applications, such as medical equipment, as well as construction, automobiles, and cables.