What to do with polyurethane waste? The environmental potential of chemically recycling polyurethane rigid foam

Polyurethane Foam Waste Upcycling into an Efficient and Low Pollutant Gasification Syngas

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Researchers modeled the gasification of polyurethane foam waste under various conditions, finding that optimized thermochemical treatment can convert this common polymer waste into hydrogen-rich syngas with low pollutant output, offering a viable energy recovery pathway for difficult-to-recycle plastic foam materials.

Novel robust upcycling approach for the manufacture of value-added polymers based on mixed (poly)urethane scraps

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This study developed a novel process for recycling mixed polyurethane scraps into new value-added polymers. Upcycling thermoset plastics that are currently unrecyclable could prevent these materials from fragmenting into microplastics in the environment.

Fast pyrolysis of polyurethanes and polyisocyanurate with and without flame retardant: Compounds of interest for chemical recycling

A Theoretical Framework for Sustainable Recycling of Polyurethane Foam Waste in Industrial Applications.

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Researchers propose a theoretical framework for sustainably recycling polyurethane foam waste that integrates chemical, mechanical, and thermochemical approaches with life cycle assessment, finding that combining these methods with industrial symbiosis can significantly enhance recycling efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.

Microwave-Assisted Chemical Recycling of a Polyurethane Foam for Pipe Pre-Insulation and Reusability of Recyclates in the Original Foam Formulation

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Researchers applied microwave-assisted solvolysis to chemically recycle polyurethane foam used in pipe insulation, testing whether the recovered recyclates could be reincorporated into the original foam formulation. They found that replacing up to 5% of the original polyol component with recycled material met shrinkage requirements, with the best performance achieved at 3% substitution, demonstrating a viable pathway for circular reuse of this widely used industrial foam.