Dow Polyurethanes has joined plant manufacturer H&S Anlagentechnik to develop the market for recycled polyols manufactured from used mattresses.

The polyols recycled through the process can be applied into a variety of polyurethane applications.

An old bed foam

The move comes as the European bedding industry is assessing the impact of the European Commission’s 2015 Circular Economy Package, comprising new waste-management targets for reuse, recycling and landfilling, strengthening provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility.

Marcel Moeller, Europe Marketing Director, Polyurethanes, said: “As a global sustainability leader, Dow is committed to advancing the circular economy by delivering the innovations necessary for scalable solutions that will close resource loops in key markets. We therefore welcome the opportunity to provide solutions to help make the bedding industry more resource-efficient, innovative and successful. We look forward to developing the market for polyols from recycled polyurethane mattresses that will serve a variety of end markets.”

Ruediger Schaffrath, managing director of H&S Anlagentechnik, said: “Through this collaboration we are pleased to contribute towards the development of sustainable reuse of polyurethane materials that will help deliver the EU objectives of reducing landfills and incineration streams. This technology targets to enable recovery of valuable raw materials from end-of-life mattresses that was impossible in the past.”