Toyotsu Chemiplas, Sanyo Chemical Industries and Evonik Industries have launched a joint initiative to produce and reuse recycled polyols using chemical recycling technology for polyurethane foam. The companies aim to collect waste polyurethane foam and production scrap and produce and reuse high-purity recycled polyols.
Toyotsu Chemiplas, Sanyo Chemical Industries and Evonik Industries announced that they launched a joint initiative on 13 October to produce and use recycled polyols using chemical recycling technology for polyurethane foam.
As coordinator, Toyotsu Chemiplas will use its collection network and logistics capabilities to develop the overall scheme and promote the business. Evonik will provide chemical recycling technology, while Sanyo Chemical will combine its polyol design and process technologies, with the aim of addressing conventional challenges including low purity, high impurity levels, and high-temperature, long-duration processes.
Specifically, the companies will develop a scheme to collect waste polyurethane foam (PCR) and production scrap (PIR) generated during manufacturing and regenerate it into polyols using Evonik's technology. The resulting high-purity polyols will be reused as recycled raw materials, contributing to the development of a circular economy.
The 3 companies will jointly assess the value chain from collection and sorting through the production and remanufacture of high-purity recycled polyols, conduct additional verification of quality assessments and LCA results, and aim to commercialize and implement the technology in Japan. Used polyurethane foam has traditionally been disposed of primarily through landfill and incineration, creating a need to reduce its environmental impact and establish methods for reuse. While prospects and challenges remain, the initiative is expected to provide a path toward resolving these issues and enable efficient recycling with a lower environmental impact.