Repsol to build a chemical recycling plant for polyurethane foam in Puertollano

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Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.

Repsol plans to build Spain's first chemical polyurethane foam recycling plant at its Puertollano Industrial Complex. It will be capable of processing over 2,000 metric tons of waste per year.

Figure 1. Repsol to build chemical recycling plant for polyurethane foam in Puertollano

The polyurethane foam is the main component of mattresses, sofas and vehicle seats. At the end of its useful life, polyurethane foam is one of the most difficult plastics to process. The new recycling facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will entail an investment of approximately 12 M€. Once operational, the plant will be capable of processing around 2,000 metric tons of polyurethane foam per year.

Repsol plans on using this circular economy project to produce circular polyols from recycled polyurethane foam. Polyols are one of the raw materials used to manufacture polyurethane foam, thus perfectly closing these essential products’ recycling circle and sustainability. Integrating this new recycling plant into the Puertollano petrochemical complex will ensure the quality of this circular product by allowing the maximization of synergies with the facility’s standard processes.

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