BASF and Autoliv China Collaborate on Recycling Foam Technologies

BASF has partnered with Autoliv China to work on their innovative Design-for-Recycling polyurethane foam technology, which incorporates recycled materials. The formulation is specifically engineered to preserve the mechanical performance of recycled material even after multiple rounds of recycling. The current process has the capability to include a maximum of 20% recycled material by weight, depending on the specific product it is utilized for.

The Design-for-Recycling technology has undergone testing at BASF's Shanghai pilot plant. Autoliv China has successfully utilized recycled foam to manufacture steering wheels.

“By switching to the ‘Design-for-Recycling’ PU foam solution with recycled content, Autoliv is taking another concrete step towards circularity and reducing the environmental footprint of our products,” said Wallice Li, Autoliv China’s VP for SCM & sustainability. “In our line trials, we see the physical properties of the ‘Design-for-Recycling’ PU steering wheels were comparable to our current products made with conventional PU.”

The technology is also being developed for a variety of other applications in the automotive, furniture and footwear sectors. These include sofas and automotive seating.

Source: BASF