How to Reuse Scrap Foam in Different Ways? Polyurethane (PU), commonly known as foam, can be found almost everywhere. It’s what makes your furniture and mattresses soft, your footwear durable, and your straps elastic. It’s even applied in construction to insulatewallsand cut carbon emissions. Because of its widespread use, tons of scrap foamare still generated each day. Various ways to reuse your scrap foam Polyurethane is a petrochemical-based polymer resulting in a highly versatile and durable material. Moreover, it is resistant to water, oil, grease, and constant wear and tear. These properties make PU simple to recycle in different ways: Mechanical recycling of scrap foam
Rebond Rebonded flexible foam is a combination of chopped PU foam and a binder to create various products. For example, carpet underlays, sports mats, and cushions are all made with rebonding.In 2010, almost 1 billion pounds of PU scrap was reclaimed and reused for carpet underlays.
Regrind Regrind recycling or powdering involves grinding PU industrial trim and postconsumer parts to produce a fine powder that is mixed with other materials to create new PU foam.
Adhesive pressing and particle bonding Scrap foam from car parts, refrigerators, and industrial trim are granulated with a powerful binder to create boards and moldings.
Compression molding Compression molding uses reaction injection molded (RIM) parts into fine particles and applies high pressure and heat to create products with up to 100% recycled content.
Chemicalrecycling of scrap foam
Glycolysis This combines industrial and post-consumer PU over high heat to create raw materials for new polyurethanes.
Hydrolysis Hydrolysis combines PU and water to create polyols or materials used for fuel and polyurethane.