Expert: Octavio Torres - 9/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Octavio,

I have some leftover polyurethane foam scraped off of automobile insides and I wonder what's the best way to handle/recycle them so as not to damage the surrounding environment. Is there any way to reuse them for my industrial manufacturing needs? Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Hi John,
Recycling PUR is as far as know, limited to rebonding for flexible foam, used in furniture construction and bedding. Rigid polyurethane has been tested in formulations to reclaim polyols but the results are not satisfactory. Thermoplastic urethane may be milled and pelletized and used in injection up to 10 percent and in extrusion applications up to 20 percent . Then the alternatives are: selling scrap through sites like alibaba.com  and others. Or, disposing off resin in open air in thin layers for sun light decomposition. Remains of these have found its way in road pavement. I suggest to look for specialized help in the web. Thank you for eco-oriented intentions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Octavio,

thanks for the answer. BTW, what's the difference between polyurethane foam and polyurethane resin? Is there a way to get polyurethane resin from the scrap foam?

Thanks,
John

Answer
John, PUR foam is the material you are familiar with and is available in two forms rigid and flexible foams with either open or close cell structure. Polyurethane resin is a thick liquid compound that you mix with a hardener. Is the plastic some roller skate wheels are made of. There is no way to obtain a PUR resin from plastic foam. You may watch a video at:
http://www.tapplastics.com/info/video_detail.php?vid=4&format=windowsmedia&    to see the nature of PU resin.Thanks again