The PUReSmart project explores new methods, technologies and approaches in order to transform polyurethane (PU) into a true circular material.
The project consortium develops smart sorting technologies to separate a diverse range of PU materials into dedicated feedstocks. These feedstocks will be broken down into their basic components as inputs for existing PU products, and as raw materials for a newly designed polymer that merges the durability of thermosets with the circularity of thermoplastics.
The project consortium develops:
- a technology that allows PU thermoset polymer to be recycled like a thermoplastic,
- a chemolysis technology that allows revalorisation of PU’s building blocks
- innovative sorting technologies to separate a diverse range of PU materials into dedicated feedstocks which will be broken down into their basic components as inputs for existing PU products and as raw materials for the newly designed polymer.
PUReSmart targets the recovery of over 90% of end-of-life PU with the goal of converting it into valuable inputs for new and known products. The ultimate goal is to merge the durability of thermosets with the circularity of thermoplastics.