The project had through the whole trajectory the dynamics we are experiencing from the beginning; a good understanding and cooperation between the partners combined with utmost dedication, which lead to increasing results.
The development of new comonomers to obtain CAPUs has been moving forward via 2 parallel routes. The traditional TAD/indole based CAPUs, which were not performing in foaming, have in the last period been modified to be more compatible with standard flexible foam raw materials and are now showing promising foaming and foam properties. The alternative route on thiourethanes has progressed as well allowing to get good flexible foam and both routes are scalable in terms of synthesis quantities. The limitation still relies in the balance between foam properties and recyclability and in the final price of synthesis for the TAD-based compounds.
The work regarding the development of innovative sorting methods proved that NIR sensor is suitable for discrimination of PU types and enables sorting of EOL foams.
The smart chemolysis work is evaluated as very positively. Due to the good technical results of the chemolysis in yield and purity, for the first time in the PU flexible foam recycling, we are able to combine both recycled polyol (up to 100% replacement of virgin polyol) and recycled isocyanate (up to 100% replacement of the virgin TDI) and the resulting PU foam satisfies the needed comfort foam properties. Enabling the use of recycled polyol and recycled TDI in the same applications as virgin materials.
The finished environmental life cycle assessment study of the PUReSmart scenario shows a positive impact on climate change. The results in particular highlight the relevance of the sorting and dismantling phase of the EoL management system and the importance of implementing the collection of mattresses and the recovery of materials other than PU, i.e. textiles. The social material topics for the PUReSmart system are finalised. This social life cycle assessment gave insight on the social risks and benefits by implementation of PUReSmart: no negative effects were mentioned, and overall the positive effects dominated the analysis., Exploring the barriers for scale up (TIS analysis) of PUReSmart revealed that a fundamental shift in market demand/legislation is expected making this an opportunity for closing the loop.
The PUReSmart project was highlighted by all partners with good press coverage in various media, participation to web conferences and an active presence on the social media including our own website. A third newsletter has been disseminated, a final workshop has been organized successfully and four MOOCs have been released.
