Nine different PVC samples with defined chlorine content and degree of branching have been investigated. The aim of the work was the influence of these parameters on some caloric properties as well as the degradation behaviour and the degradation products. As expected, the heat of combustion decreases with increasing chlorine content. As determined by simultaneous thermal analysis/mass spectrometry, the volatile degradation products of the pyrolysis in nitrogen atmosphere vary. The higher the chlorine content, the higher the amount of chlorinated degradation products and the lower the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). A higher number of branching promotes the formation of alcylated aromatic hydrocarbons.