Chemical recycling for recovering raw materials from polyurethane waste
Polyurethane foams (PUFs) are used in comfort applications and as insulation materials. They are bulky materials with a cross-linked structure. Therefore, conventional waste management methods like incineration, landfill disposal, and mechanical recycling are not ideal for handling this type of polymer waste. Chemical recycling of PUFs offers a sustainable approach to recovering raw materials with high added value.
Our chemical recycling process uses a cheap, dual-acting reagent that allows efficient degradation of the urethane groups in the PUF structure, while producing a small amount of aromatic diamine as toxic by-product. The process is carried out in bulk without catalyst, solvent or other media. The isolation of the recycled polyols is simple and efficient and is carried out in a closed loop system, minimizing both the economic and environmental impact. Crude polyols obtained in this way can be used directly or purified further, depending on the end product requirements. Recycled polyols can be used as feedstock for the production of new flexible PUFs or other polymer products.
Developed by: Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology.
Technology readiness level: TRL3.
Status of intellectual property: Patent pending.
Cooperation opportunities: Joint development and scale-up.