Vita Group collaborates with Evonik to pioneer efficient recycling process for polyurethane mattresses

At a glance

The Vita Group has partnered with Evonik to develop a chemical recycling process that converts flexible polyurethane (PU) foams back into the original polyol raw material. Evonik's hydrolysis process has the potential to achieve circularity in the flexible PU foam industry, reducing the number of mattresses incinerated or sent to landfills. The partnership will scale-up trials of the process, with the aim of increasing the use of recycled polyols in flexible foam applications. This innovation aligns with the global flexible PU industry's sustainability goals and supports the establishment of a fully functioning circular economy.

The Vita Group is delighted to announce that as part of its commitment to advancing a circular economy, Vita has partnered with Evonik to develop an efficient chemical recycling process to convert flexible PU foams to the original polyol raw material.

Evonik is one of the world’s leading suppliers of essential additives used in the manufacture of various types of polyurethane foam. Vita is currently trialling the recycled polyols from Evonik’s hydrolysis process in several flexible foam applications.

Evonik has used its expertise in polyurethane (PU) chemistry to develop an efficient chemical recycling process for converting flexible PU foams back to the original polyol raw material. Evonik’s new hydrolysis recycling process has the potential to achieve circularity in the flexible PU foam industry.

Highlights:

  • The process helps the flexible polyurethane foam industry to increase circularity
  • Hydrolysis technology enables used flexible polyurethane foams and mattress materials to be recycled
  • Innovation will significantly reduce the number of mattresses incinerated or going into landfills each year

As the next phase of the development, Evonik will scale-up trials of its new process, which has been further strengthened by its partnership with The Vita Group, a leading provider of value-added and differentiated flexible PU foam products. The Vita Group has trialled the recycled polyols from Evonik’s hydrolysis process in several of its flexible foam applications.

According to the latest report from EUROPUR (European association of flexible polyurethane foam blocks manufacturers), some 40 million mattresses are discarded each year in Europe alone, with the majority ending up as landfills creating the equivalent of 600 kilotons of waste: including more than 300 kilotons of PU foam. With the potential to recycle the main component materials used in flexible PU foams and PU foam-based mattresses, Evonik’s process offers significantly higher use levels of the recycled polyol compared with existing commercialized technologies.

Evonik’s solution will contribute to the global flexible PU industry’s sustainability expectations of reducing waste and increasing the use of renewable raw materials in the production of its products. This enables Evonik to expand its position as a leading solutions provider for the PU industry and supports the entire Evonik Group’s objectives of establishing a fully functioning circular economy.

“It’s only by recycling products back to their raw materials and reusing them over and over again that we will enable a fully circular economy,” said Ralph Marquardt, Head of Evonik’s polyurethane additives business. “Our new hydrolysis process delivers recyclates of a quality and performance similar to that of virgin raw materials. Thus, innovative foam producers like our partner The Vita Group can meet their own sustainability targets, while continuing to deliver high-quality PU products.”

“The Vita Group is renowned for our long history of innovation in sustainability and investing in circular economy products. We recycle and rebond over 30,000 tons of trim each year, as part of our dynamic sustainability agenda,” said Ian W. Robb, Group CEO for The Vita Group. “Sustainability and innovation are central principles of every aspect of our business. We see it as our responsibility to be at the vanguard of the development of eco-friendly technology within our industry. This hugely exciting partnership represents a key milestone on our journey to achieving the circular economy we are all striving for, and we look forward to working closely together with Evonik.”