Concentrated know-how was gathered for the joint specialist day on recycling and recovery of the FSK e.V. (Foamed Plastics and Polyurethanes Association) and the bvse e.V. (Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Disposal). On 5 October, mechanical and chemical recycling were put to the test at the Kulturhaus of BASF Schwarzheide GmbH.

At the Recycling and Recovery Specialist Day, the Who’s Who of PU recycling met and discussed various approaches to solutions as well as their strengths and weaknesses. There was agreement that there is not one simple and single solution for PU recycling, but that diverse recycling solutions are also required for the multifaceted material. There is still enormous potential, since so far only the smallest proportion of PU products is recycled at all. Especially in the building sector, the potentials would be enormous, a correct, separate collection is rarely guaranteed here. The 40 million old mattresses that accumulate annually in the EU alone also offer a great opportunity here. So far, only a single-digit percentage of PU products is recycled, be it chemically or mechanically; the large part is still thermally recycled, as this is the cheapest way.

“All players are called upon to rethink or even change their mindset in the area of PU recycling,” says FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger. Recycling centres and recyclables collectors, as the basis and treasure trove of recycling, should urgently install systems that guarantee high-quality separation and collection. The experts clearly pointed out the shortcomings in collection. Far too little PU still ends up in recycling. On the part of politics, an incentive system would have to be created that would lead to a true competition of recycling. Enforcement of all measures introduced would also be desirable here.

Solvolysers are used in the chemical recycling of PU. In this process, the Solvolyses supply targeted building blocks that are reused in PU synthesis. The large system houses and the market as a whole would have to open up to recycling polyols. The polyols are in no way inferior to the basic raw materials, and according to studies and tests, they even surpass the positive properties in some cases, but they still meet with resentment.

Last but not least, the question of recycling should already play a central role in the development of primary products and the manufacturers should be held accountable accordingly. Communication and partnership are the key to achieving the necessary persuasion and education work.

After lunch, Viktor Schön from KMA Umwelttechnik GmbH touched another nerve of the participants – the frequently touched upon and red-hot topic of energy procurement and energy costs. The use of modern exhaust air technology and high-performance heat recovery according to individual KMA solutions reduces costs and provides planning security.

At the end of the event, the participants were invited to take a tour of the BASF Schwarzheide GmbH production site. Not only were the impressive plants on the factory premises visited, but also the solar park outside and the future location of the planned battery centre.

The event was organised by the FSK together with its partner association bvse. Thanks to his expertise, Dr Thomas Probst skilfully led through the event and exchange round as well as the panel discussion.

Left to right: FSK Managing Director Klaus Junginger thanked the participants of the panel discussion High-profile panel discussion: Alexander Kramer, German Association of Towns and Municipalities (DStGB), Christoph Brüning, omnicycle GmbH & Co. KG, Mila Skokova, H & S Anlagentechnik GmbH, Marco Werth, Rampf Eco Solutions, moderator Dr Thomas Probst, bvse e.V. and Dr Marieke Hoffmann, Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V.

Participants of the specialist day on recycling and recovery in front of the Kulturhaus of BASF Schwarzheide GmbH

Further information on the Fachverband Schaumkunststoffe und Polyurethane e.V. (FSK) and its events, as well as on the work of the expert committees, is available online at www.fsk-vsv.de/eng or by phone: 0711 993 751- 0.