PU-Recycling: the environmentally friendly way to high-quality polyols

Products made of PU (polyurethane, also abbreviated PUR) are used in immense variety in a wide range of products. Although they account for only about 6.5% of all plastic products in Germany, they are used in almost all areas of life - from vehicle construction, cleaning sponges, insulating materials and mattresses to shoe soles, varnishes and paints. Polyurethane recycling can be carried out in a variety of ways, with the end product (recyclate) being reintroduced into the production cycle as granules, powder or reusable polyols, for example. In cooperation with our partner RAMPF Eco Solutions, we advise you on all aspects of polyurethane recycling and plan and install your turnkey PU recycling plant.

Polyurethane-Recycling as a contribution to environmental protection

Proper PU recycling prevents the oil-based plastics from the uncontrolled entering the environment, where they can contaminate soils, water and air through abrasion as microplastics. Since the effects of microplastics on organisms and food chains are still insufficiently explored, reducing microplastic emissions through plastic recycling is an important goal for preserving health and environment. At the same time, a high proportion of recyclates in PU production reduces the consumption of petroleum, thus conserving valuable and saving resources. Given those facts, polyurethane recycling can simultaneously contribute to greater sustainability and reduce the raw materials, transport and production costs of PU products.

What processes are used in PU recycling?

Polyurethane recycling involves thermal, chemical and mechanical processes. In thermal recycling, the amount of energy bound in the polyurethane compounds is released back. This does not produce a reusable recyclate for a new product cycle, but heat or electricity. This is particularly suitable for PU foams that cannot be chemically or mechanically recycled. Mechanical shredding of PU products produces a pure granulate or powder that can be melted down to make, for example, composites or insulation materials or to be mixed with system polyols to produce new molded parts. However, since admixture increases the viscosity of the polyol and also affects the properties of the end product, it is only possible to a limited extent.

 The most common processes in chemical recycling are called glycolysis, acidolysis or hydrolysis. Here, the extremely stable PU compounds are broken down at high temperatures, for example with the help of diols or carboxylic acids, to obtain ready-to-use polyols or chemical PU precursors again. The energy input is significantly higher than in mechanical recycling, but a major advantage of the chemical recycling processes is the high quality of the recyclates, which are usually in no way inferior to the original polyols in terms of their properties and functionality.

PU-Recycling-Plants customized to your needs

PU (polyurethane) will continue to play an important role in many areas of life in the future. The production of PU products can be made much more ecological and sustainable using PU recycling. Production residues, post-consumer waste, even PET, PSA and biomonomers can thus be converted back into cost-effective, valuable raw materials required for production. Your own PU recycling plant thus contributes to environmental protection as well as to cost reduction - it also can be tailored to your individual needs. Together with our partner RAMPF Eco Solutions, we will find the solution that optimally fits your existing plant and your production capacity. And of course we will be happy to advise you on possibilities and options, offer transparent cost planning as well as assemble and install the finished system on site.

Advantages of PU-Recycling 

The professional recycling of polyurethanes holds a whole range of advantages for your company - especially if you work with us to develop and implement a concept that is fully tailored to your business. Here are the advantages at a glance:

☑️ the production of polyols becomes more cost-efficient

☑️ high quality of the generated/recycled polyols

☑️ production residues and waste can be reused

☑️ raw materials are saved

☑️ lower energy consumption

☑️ production becomes more ecological and environmentally friendly

☑️ less non-recycled plastic waste is produced

☑️ reduction of CO₂ emissions

As you can see, the increased and targeted implementing of the recycled PU polyurethane in the manufacturing of your products has many advantages and ensures the beneficial, effective and cost-efficient usage of the durable raw materials. Of course, this also increases the sustainability of the product.

PU Recycling - we are your reliable partner

Through professional polyurethane recycling, the high-quality raw materials can be reproduced from waste and production residues. From these raw materials, you can later manufacture the products with the normal high quality while at the same time working sustainably and saving resources. In this way, both cost savings and sustainability are possible for your company at the same time. We support your company right from the beginning with:

• planning,
• construction,
• assembly

of your process plant for the production of alternative polyols from PET and PUR residues. In cooperation with RAMPF Eco Solutions, your production residues are turned into high-quality raw materials again. In this way you save:

• cost of raw materials,
• transportation costs,
• disposal costs.

You can work more cost-efficiently and environmentally friendly thanks to PCR Engineering's and RAMPF's many years of experience in developing innovative and sustainable solutions in the construction of industrial plants. Of course, our service also includes complete support for all questions and problems that may arise, as well as maintenance of your plant.