Chemical specialist makes light of bulky waste challenge

A German chemical company is leading research into obtaining high-value recycled polyols from plastic waste such as mattresses and upholstery.

From its facility at Pirmasens close to the French border, RAMPF Eco Solutions has for more than 25 years been developing non-virgin polyols, a core ingredient in the manufacture of polyurethane used in mattresses, seating and foam insulation for fridges and freezers.

RAMPF Eco Solutions is a partner in a project known as URBANREC researching technologies and scientific innovation to keep bulky waste from landfill, preventing waste and boosting reuse. More than 60% of the 19 million tonnes of furniture, mattresses, upholstery, textiles, and plastic garden products thrown away each year in European countries end up in landfill.

Pilots in four countries

Supported by funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, experts from seven countries are working on pilot solutions in Belgium, Spain, Poland and Turkey to obtain high-quality recycled products such as adhesives, foams, fibre/felt-reinforced composites, and solvents.

There is a goal of achieving a recovery rate of 82% returning a net profit of EUR 225.6 per tonne, which would mean an annual net profit of more than EUR 2 billion.

‘We use solvolysis – glycolysis, acidolysis, and polyolysis – to valorise waste production materials such as post-consumer polyurethane for the manufacture of alternative polyols,’ says Marco Werth, director of sales & marketing at RAMPF Eco Solutions. ‘These are then integrated back into the production process, amongst others for insulation materials, adhesives, and flexible foams, which creates a sustainable cycle that delivers both environmental and economic benefits.’