Project will examine hydrolysis-based chemical recycling to recover polyols and amines from used foam and manufacturing scrap for use in new materials.
Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas Corp. And Sanyo Chemical Industries are partnering to create a polyurethane foam recycling model in Japan that could recover polyols and amines for use in new polyurethane products.
The project will evaluate a procedure for gathering post-consumer foam and post-industrial scrap, chemically recycling the material and reusing the recovered raw materials in new products.
Toyotsu Chemiplas will coordinate the project and make a contribute collection and logistics expertise. Sanyo Chemical will offer polyol development and process technology expertise, while Evonik will make contribution its hydrolysis-based chemical recycling technique.
Evonik stated the procedure is designed to manufacture high-purity recycled polyols with constant quality. The company suggested that producers have already manufacture new polyurethane foam using a 100% recycled polyol derived from the procedure. Evonik also stated the technology can reduce the carbon footprint compared with virgin materials, even though the planned Japanese value chain will need further life cycle assessment.
The partners will collectively evaluate the procedure from collection and sorting via recycling and new foam manufacturing, including quality checks. Their goal is to determine the feasibility of commercializing a scalable recycling model in Japan.
The initiative follows current uncertainty over Evonik’s ownership. In September, BASF confirmed exploratory discussions with Evonik and its largest shareholder, the RAG Foundation, about a potential acquisition. Evonik mention that the nonbinding approach concerned a possible voluntary public takeover offer, but no talks were taking place at the time. The outcome of the discussions stays uncertain.
