Wavin PVC+ Innovation: the new generation of eco-designed pipes and fittings that is shaking up the market.

A new range developed with and for installers and supported by a €20 million investment in the French production site

Wavin, a global player in water management and drainage networks (213 employees and €100 million in revenue in 2024), has chosen to shake things up. After three years of research, testing, and discussions with more than 1,500 installers, and an industrial investment of nearly €20 million, Wavin is launching PVC+, a new generation of drainage pipes and fittings designed to simplify the daily work of professionals.

By listening to their experience on construction sites, Wavin has integrated all the constraints encountered in order to develop a complete range, designed to improve the efficiency and comfort of installation.

Made at the Varennes-sur-Allier (03) site, the new PVC+ Wavin range is guaranteed 100% recyclable and incorporates a constant rate of recycled material: 20% in each fitting (the maximum allowed by the standard) and 10% in each tube.
Compatible with all existing systems, the new PVC+ Wavin products are NF-E and NF-Me certified, two labels that guarantee compliance with the strictest performance and safety requirements.

The installer is placed at the heart of the innovation process.

From the outset of the project, Wavin chose to listen to and directly involve users in the design of the PVC+ range. Plumbers and installers with diverse profiles (independent tradespeople, small businesses or large companies) were directly involved in the brainstorming, prototyping, technical adjustments and real-world testing, in order to clearly identify their constraints and expectations in the field.

These qualitative studies were complemented by two large quantitative surveys conducted with 1,500 installers, in order to validate the technical choices, the interest of the proposed features and even the acceptable price level.

These discussions and this listening to the field have made it possible to identify areas for improvement in ease of installation and to optimize product development. Three major areas have been identified:

• simplify assembly and dry fitting,
• reduce handling to save time on construction sites,
• limit installation errors.

According to Jean-Baptiste Guillot, Building Product Manager at Wavin France: “We really wanted to put installers back at the heart of our innovation process. They are the ones who handle our products every day, who know the constraints they face on construction sites, so it was essential to draw on their experience to design a solution truly adapted to their needs. We organized several focus groups to gain an in-depth understanding of their challenges, from site preparation to installation, and then we supplemented this approach with quantitative studies conducted with more than 1,500 plumbers. Their feedback directly informed the development of PVC+, drawing inspiration from concrete innovations such as retention lugs and gripping surfaces, which facilitate dry fitting. It is this continuous feedback from the field that allowed us to design a product that is more ergonomic, more practical, and truly designed for installers.”

Wavin PVC +: Useful innovation for professionals

Unique on the market, the Wavin innovations integrated into the Wavin PVC+ range bring real advancements. Every detail of the pipes and fittings has been designed to reduce difficulty, save time, and ensure reliable installation:

• 1 Retention lugs (exclusive to Wavin)

These lugs securely hold pipes and fittings during dry fitting, even in a vertical position. This exclusive Wavin feature simplifies the installers' daily work: it allows them to work alone or at height, without the risk of parts falling during adjustment.

• 2. Grippy surface (exclusive to Wavin)

The optimized texture of Wavin PVC+ fittings provides a better grip. Even with gloves, wet hands, or in harsh environments, the pipes and fittings won't slip, allowing for safer and faster handling.

• 3. Graduated line on the tubes (exclusive to Wavin)

The integrated graduated line directly on the Wavin PVC+ pipe simplifies cutting and alignment, eliminating the need for prior measuring. This exclusive Wavin feature saves time during installation, avoids calculations, and guarantees precise assembly.

• 4. Angular markings

The angular markings on Wavin PVC+ fittings ensure consistent and precise alignment. They help prevent orientation errors and guarantee a professional, perfectly straight and uniform finished result.

• 5 Wide and beveled lip

The widened and perfectly beveled lip facilitates effortless assembly of the parts. It also improves disassembly in case of adjustment, reducing cumbersome handling and fatigue during intervention.

• 6 Insertion stops

The integrated stops prevent assembly errors by clearly indicating the correct insertion depth and the surface area to be glued. This ensures a secure installation by eliminating the risk of leaks due to improper assembly, resulting in more reliable systems.

In addition to these technical innovations, the Wavin PVC+ range retains the features that have already proven successful with installers. Wavin adds concrete and original improvements designed to simplify everyday installation.

Compatible with all solutions on the market, the new Wavin PVC+ range covers all wastewater and rainwater drainage needs, from DN 32 to DN 160.

A range already validated by professionals

Previewed at the CAPEB's annual trade show in Clermont-Ferrand, the Wavin PVC+ range immediately sparked interest among the professionals in attendance. This event, renowned for its close connection with tradespeople, served as a true real-world test. The feedback gathered on site confirmed the strong expectation for development in this established market.

"I can't wait to have it on my construction sites. It's really going to simplify my life."
Julien M., plumber and heating engineer – Lyon

"Everything is well thought out; you can tell they listened to the professionals."
Karim L., plumber and installer – Aubagne

"I'm loyal to my brand... but I admit I'm curious now."
Stéphane D., plumber – Lille

"It was designed to save us time. That's clear."
Manuel C., manager of a plumbing company – Libourne

These testimonials clearly demonstrate that Wavin PVC+ provides concrete and genuinely useful solutions for professionals. Wavin's exclusive innovations, such as retention lugs, gripping surfaces, and graduated lines on the pipes, directly address the challenges encountered on construction sites.

The success of this new range was further confirmed on November 4th in Vichy. Wavin received the "Women innovate" award at the Allier Business Awards for its new Wavin PVC+ range, as presented by the local press.

An industrial and technical challenge that required an investment of 20 million euros.

The Wavin PVC+ project leverages the industrial expertise of the site, established in the Auvergne region for nearly 50 years, which encompasses production, logistics, R&D, and technical services for Wavin France. This strategic site, designated by the Orbia Group as a European center of excellence for PVC, has undergone extensive modernization to accommodate this new generation of products. This modernization involved an investment of nearly €20 million across all production workshops. The investment covered the preparation of recycled raw materials, the automation of the industrial process, the modernization of the tube extrusion and fitting injection lines, and the integration of new equipment.

New tube extrusion lines have been installed. They are equipped with a dual marking system: a technical marking ensuring traceability, compliance with standards and quality, and a graduated marking directly on the tube. "This is a real advantage for installers; they no longer need to use a tape measure, the graduations are directly on the product," explains Élodie Doret, Operations Director of Wavin France.

On the injection side, the innovations of the new Wavin PVC+ fittings (retaining lugs, gripping surface, angular marking, etc.) required the production of around one hundred new molds and the installation of several new injection molding machines. More efficient and energy-saving, these machines offer improved process stability and reduced energy consumption.

The Varennes-sur-Allier plant has also installed new semi-automatic packaging lines, designed to replace repetitive manual operations. These lines will be fully automated in the coming months. Robots will eventually handle, mark, and package the parts, improving both safety and ergonomics for the operators.

Wavin aimed to make PVC+ a true model of eco-design, incorporating recycled and 100% recyclable materials while adhering to the strictest standards. Each fitting contains 20% recycled material and each pipe 10%, levels that reach the maximum permitted by the comprehensive specifications of the NF-E and NF-Me certifications. This integration has been validated by the certifying bodies and guarantees the maintenance of the mechanical and technical performance required by these labels.

The environmental effort extends to packaging. This is now made from recycled cardboard, adhesives and labels from recyclable paper, and pallets are integrated into a circular reuse circuit.

According to Élodie Doret, Director of Operations at Wavin France: “The investments made around the PVC+ project have allowed us to develop our industrial tools. We have redesigned our production processes to improve efficiency and quality, modernized our lines, integrated new processes and automated certain steps. Today, the Varennes-sur-Allier site manufactures 80% of the diameters of the PVC+ range for Europe (France, Benelux and the Netherlands), representing several tens of millions of fittings produced each year. It has now established itself as the group's European center of excellence for PVC.”

A national launch in early January 2026

The Wavin PVC+ range will be launched across the country in early January 2026.
This nationwide deployment will allow all professionals to access a sustainable, efficient evacuation solution that is fully adapted to the requirements of the field.

Designed by and for professionals, Wavin PVC+ is redefining drainage standards and aims to become the new benchmark in the market. A new chapter is beginning for Wavin, and this is just the start!

The ECH'O Wavin program

Wavin France has been pursuing an ambitious CSR policy for several years through its ECH'O program, which brings together all local actions in favor of the environment and a responsible social policy, proudly initiated by the company's employees and involving them collectively.

Every day, everyone's actions are designed to respect resources, promote the flourishing of flora and fauna, and foster a better quality of life for all. As a result of Wavin France's efforts and commitments, the ECH'O program for a more sustainable life actively involves everyone who, directly or indirectly, is affected by the company's activities (customers, partners, employees, suppliers, etc.).

These steps have been recognized by the Committed to CSR label (Afnor), confirmed level, and by the Ecovadis silver medal, placing Wavin France among the best performing companies in its sector.

Act together and now!

A strong driver and contributor, Wavin France integrates collective and adapted initiatives through ECH'O to improve the living environment and a sustainable environment.

Wavin France works to promote biodiversity by protecting, restoring and promoting living things.

The manufacturer has also proudly partnered with the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) to measure the benefits of the meadow on biodiversity and develop new actions that support the ecosystem. The area now hosts more than 90 species of birds and insects.

Wavin France optimizes the use of natural resources (energy, water, raw materials, etc.) and is very attentive to its greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2019 and 2024, these emissions were reduced fivefold, thanks in particular to the use of renewable energy and the integration of recycled PVC. The Wavin France site operates on 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity, 20% of which is produced directly on-site by a one-hectare solar panel array. These efforts represent more than 436 tons of CO₂ saved annually.

And because everyone's commitment is ECH'O's strength, the company also conducts awareness campaigns with all stakeholders. For example, it visits schools to inform younger generations about the importance of every action for the planet, because it is essential to act together!

Wavin France values ​​people and encourages diversity, inclusion, equity and the well-being of its communities. This wealth is a real engine of performance for the company which is proud of its employees. Wavin France participates each year in World #withpride Day which celebrates differences and is a partner of the Fondation Agir Contre l'Exclusion (FACE) which brings together private, public and associative actors in the fight against exclusion, discrimination and poverty. The company's commitments are also reflected in the choice of jointly active partners: the Viltaïs association for its corporate catering, ESAT (Establishments and Services for Assistance through Work) for product packaging, etc.