After moves to intensify the co-operation with Mobius Technologies (Cressvalley, California/USA; www.mobiustechnologies.com) in the area of PU recycling in spring of 2001, Dow Plastics (Europe: CH-8810 Horgen; www.dowplastics.com) has established a European development centre in Geneva for a PU recycling system which has been marketed by both partners. It will be open for demonstration and tests to all PU foam producers interested in this system.

The new recycling method for flexible PU foam has been developed by Mobius. It breaks down waste foams produced during foaming and processing into a very fine powder of less than 75 µm. According to Dow Plastics, this powder can replace more than 12% of primary polyol during the production of new foams. This technology is reported to be used for the efficient production of moulded foams, slabstock foams, hot and cold cured foams as well as CO2 foamed material. Dow guarantees the specification and quality of foams produced with a share of such recycled material. The company points out that the new technology offers a very good opportunity to reduce production costs.