Sustainable Specialty Foams Via Recycling and Bio-Based Chemistry

Petroleum based chemicals are currently the primary component in the manufacturing of polyurethane foams. Consequentially, the production of these chemicals has a lasting, negative impact on the environment. In the past few years we have seen a global shift away from the use of fossil fuels and towards more sustainable solutions. The polyurethane industry specifically has begun developing bio-based polyols as well as incorporating various applications of recycling in order to join the commitment to sustainability.

This presentation will evaluate various bio-based materials as well as recycling methods and their success in producing high performance polyurethane foams. A range of bio-material sources are evaluated including plant and animal based, as well as processes related to reincorporating polyurethane back into foams as well as recycled raw materials. The sustainable specialty foams are assessed by their physical properties in relation to the bio-based content percentage of their formulations, which ranges from 5 to 40 percent. These solutions will be a key component in the success of sustainability initiatives in the polyurethane industry.