Polyurethane Waste Reduction and Recycling: From Bench to Pilot Scales

In this review, reports, patents and recently published papers and documents on polyurethane recycling, especially chemical recycling methods, are investigated in order to find an adequate method for waste reduction, protecting the environment and preventing waste land filling. The recycling of polyurethane has always posed unique challenges due to its wide variety of applications, from the industry to bio-based materials, namely, artificial organs. Mechanical regrinding is the oldest method in polyurethane waste recycling and the use of the regrind wastes as filler in the new formulations. Chemical recycling of polyurethanes by hydrolysis, aminolysis and glycolysis is for the most part considered economically uncompetitive compared to formulating with virgin raw materials. Also some thermochemical processes are utilized for PU recycling. Recycling has opened an effective and economic route for polyurethane waste treatment. Nonetheless, more research efforts are required in order to scale up the recycling methods. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011