Courtesy of Chemical Fabrics and Film Association
Outdoor upholstered sofa with pillows in front of swimming pool in a tropical environment.

Discover the Versatility and Value of Chemical Fabrics and Film

Dec. 3, 2024
From healthcare to hospitality: how vinyl products deliver customization, durability, and aesthetic excellence across industries.

Versatility is highly valued in virtually every product application, and chemical fabrics and film are among the most versatile of all. In difficult, demanding environments, their many forms stand up to all manners of harsh, repeated use and still look good. Chemical fabrics and film are the clear choice in many industries because of their outstanding resilience and appearance. 

The Chemical Fabrics and Film Association – Performance Products Division (CFFA – PPD) represents manufacturers of PVC/vinyl polymer-based fabric and film products used in healthcare, foodservice, hotels, backyard pools, and many other industries. These vinyl products offer exceptional performance characteristics in finished products, from durable coated fabrics used for commercial upholstery to vinyl film used for in-ground swimming pool liners.

The top five benefits of chemical fabrics and film include ease of customization, aesthetics, performance, durability, and lasting value. 

1. Customization

Durable coated fabrics can be manufactured in virtually any thickness, any texture, any pattern, and in almost any color of the rainbow. The versatility of the manufacturing processes creates innovative textures and patterns. For pools, the unmatched customization potential of vinyl, including size, shape, depth, and design, provides a level of freedom at an economical price not found in fiberglass pools.

2. Aesthetics

Vinyl offers great versatility and the chameleon-like ability to imitate almost any look. Simple compound modifications create simulations of leather or textiles and afford beautiful patterns, prints, and textures. Vinyl pools’ aesthetic versatility surpasses that of fiberglass and gunite pools, offering a diverse range of colors and designs that match homeowner preferences.

3. Performance

Vinyl offers a durable surface impervious to moisture, making it ideal for marine environments, high-traffic commercial seating, and swimming pool liners. As a fabric, its knit back makes it easy to tailor and form rounded corners. Vinyl can also be thermoformed with four-way stretch fabrics to eliminate stitched seams that tend to harbor mold, mildew, and bacteria. 

4. Durability

Stands up to abrasion, tough stains, exposure to sunlight, and daily wear and tear, while still performing consistently. This quality makes vinyl particularly well suited to healthcare environments, where ease of cleaning and sterilization are critical. Plus, vinyl’s long service life conserves raw materials and prevents pollution associated with the manufacturing and disposal of shorter life alternatives. 

5. Lasting value

When compared to other materials, vinyl products are not only typically lower in initial cost, they’re also lower in lifecycle cost due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. The end result is a product that provides lasting value.

Chemical fabrics and film are indispensable solutions in a wide array of applications, offering unmatched versatility, resilience, and aesthetic appeal. As the industry continues to innovate, these PVC-based materials will remain a cornerstone of durable, customizable, and cost-effective products.

Learn more about the benefits and uses of vinyl fabrics and film at the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association – Performance Products Division website.

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