Chemical Recycling for Recovering Raw Materials From Poliurethane Waste

Background

Polyurethane foams (PUFs) are widely used in various comfort applications, such as mattresses or upholstered furniture, and as thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Their global production is expected to reach 12.7 million tons by 2024. PUFs are bulky materials with a cross-linked structure. Handling this type of polymer waste with conventional waste management methods, like incineration, landfill disposal, and mechanical recycling, is therefore not ideal. Chemical recycling of PUFs offers a sustainable approach to recovering raw materials with high added value.

Description of invention

The invention provides a chemical recycling process for PUFs using a dual-action reagent that enables an efficient degradation of the urethane groups in the PUF structure. The crude polyols obtained using our method can be used directly or purified further, depending on the quality requirements of the end product. If purification is required, it can be performed in a closed loop system, minimizing both the economic and environmental impact. The recycled polyols can be used as feedstock for the production of new flexible PUFs or other polymer products.

Main advantages

• The process is carried out in bulk using a cheap reagent without any catalysts, solvents or other media.
• The degradation of the urethane groups in the PUF structure is efficient.
• The formation of toxic aromatic diamine as a by-product is low.
• Isolation and purification of recycled polyols is simple and efficient.
• The end-group functionality of the recycled polyols is preserved.