PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
RECTICEL is the European leader in the production and conversion of polyurethane foam. It markets products designed for industry and consumers in four clearly defined marked sectors : Comfort & Industry, Automotive, Bedding and Insulation. In the European Union, total polyurethane foam production in 1991, was approximately 590.000 tons in flexible foam and 220.000 tons in rigid foam for building. The flexible foam industry thus generated around 80 000 tons of fabrication trimmings, of which approximately 60.000 tons are exported to the United States, for application in carpet underlays. RECTICEL exports 15 000 tons of trim foam to the USA, although it is aware of the fact that Europe will have to treat its waste problems itself in the future. Parallel to this use of ¿new¿ foams, there is also the problem of treating the ¿used¿ polyurethane, called post consumer foams. After recycling, these foams can be sold as second generation foams. Carried out in Langeac (Auvergne), the RECTICEL project demonstrates the recycling of polyurethane foam waste. The recycling project involves a special technology aiming at re-using and transforming the waste share that results from manufacturing processes themselves and which normally cannot be reduced. The project involves an increased co-operation at European level (France - Belgium - Germany). It is innovative because of the technology used : polymerisation by team and binding chemistry of RECTICEL IDC Belgium in association with GREINER of Austria¿s know-how concerning waste association (cork-rubber). This project is consistent with the development objectives of the Auvergne region which favour economic projects that are respectful of the environment (considering that tourism is one of their priorities). Experiences and production done in Langeac plant could be transposed without any problem in all RECTICEL plants as well as other factories problems of polyurethane foam recycling.