InfiChem Polymers (ICP, Sterling Heights, Michigan / USA; www.infichempolymers.com) claims to be the first North American company to convert scrap polyurethane foam into new polyols. Its new process, developed with project aid from a number of sources, including the US Department of Energy, the US Council for Automotive Research and the Automotive Group of the American Chemistry Council – Plastics Division (ACC-PD) is being used for the first time in new production facility, completed last year at the Michigan site.

ICP’s glycolysis technology chemically depolymerises polyurethanes into liquid initiators to produce the polyols, which it says are the first of their kind to be commercially available. Recyclate content is said to exceed 60%. The polyols can also be used in spray foam applications, flexible foams, elastomers, and other traditional polyurethane applications, the company says.