Dow and Gruppo Fiori Innovate Automotive Polyurethane Recycling
- Dow and Gruppo Fiori developed a process to recycle polyurethane from end-of-life vehicles without disassembly.
- The innovation supports compliance with End of Life Vehicle Regulation and OEM sustainability goals.
- The collaboration builds on a 2024 MoU to create a new recycling ecosystem for vehicle parts.
- Polyurethane foam, used in automotive interiors, can now be recycled at an industrial scale.
Innovative Recycling Process
Dow and Gruppo Fiori have developed a new process to recover polyurethane foam from end-of-life vehicles without the need for disassembly. This advancement simplifies the recycling process and enhances the purity of the polyurethane waste stream, making it suitable for depolymerization and chemical recycling.
Impact on Automotive Circularity
Polyurethane foam, a key component in automotive interiors, is valued for its comfort, safety, and fuel efficiency. The new process helps keep this material out of landfills and reintegrates it into productive use, supporting a circular automotive supply chain. It also facilitates the creation of polyol with recycled content and aids compliance with upcoming End of Life Vehicle Regulation and OEM sustainability goals.
Collaboration and Development
This initiative builds on a 2024 memorandum of understanding between Dow and Gruppo Fiori to establish a new ecosystem for recycling vehicle parts. The partnership has analyzed dismantling processes, assessed material purity and recyclability, and piloted innovative business models through a test-and-learn approach.
Future Prospects
The collaboration aims to enable Dow’s Renuva™ portfolio of recycled materials, accelerating the transformation of waste streams into new raw materials. By combining Gruppo Fiori’s expertise in material recovery with Dow’s depolymerization capabilities, the partnership seeks to restore the value of waste and share it with the industry.
Source: Dow Chemical