Covestro is coordinating the EU-funded lighthouse project, which involves 22 partners from industry, science and society from nine countries. The aim of the project is to jointly establish a value-adding cycle for the raw materials for rigid polyurethane foams within four years. Such rigid foams are used as insulating materials in refrigerators and in the construction industry. There, they contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in line with the goal of achieving climate neutrality. There are deficits in the issue of closed value cycles. With "Circular Foam", a systematic solution for closed-loop recycling is to be developed in several model regions - including NRW, Poland and the Netherlands - which is to be transferable to other regions. To this end, it is planned to develop dismantling and sorting solutions along the value chain, set up and demonstrate appropriate logistics and waste collection systems, develop two novel chemical recycling routes and, last but not least, optimize the design of future products and materials in terms of their recyclability.

 

Mehr Information: dechema.de/en, circular-foam.eu

 

Sources:

• recyclingmagazin.de, recyclingportal.eu (10/11/2021)
• photo: © uegpu.de