Sanyo Chemical Launches Polyurethane Foam Chemical Recycling Initiative With Partners

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sanyo Chemical Industries, together with Toyotsu Chemiplas and Evonik Industries, has jointly launched an initiative to produce recycled polyols in Japan using chemical recycling of polyurethane foam. The partners position the model as going beyond conventional downcycling toward a circular economy.

Why it matters

Chemical recycling of polyurethane foam into recycled polyols could add a recycled feedstock source for foam producers, potentially reducing reliance on virgin polyol supply.

Key facts

Companies	Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., Toyotsu Chemiplas Corporation, Evonik Industries AG
Chemicals	polyols, polyurethane foam
Location	Japan
Timing	2026/10/13
Partners	Toyotsu Chemiplas Corporation, Evonik Industries AG

Market context

Polyols are a core raw material for polyurethanes, which are made by reacting polyols with isocyanates. Flexible and rigid polyurethane foams are used widely in furniture and bedding, automotive seating and interiors, building insulation, and refrigeration equipment, so demand for polyols tracks construction, transport, and consumer durables activity. Most polyols today are made from virgin petrochemical feedstocks. Mechanical recycling of foam is difficult because the cross-linked structure does not remelt, so much waste foam has historically been downcycled into low-value products such as carpet underlay. Chemical recycling breaks foam back into polyol-type building blocks that can be reused in new foam formulations, which could give foam producers an additional feedstock source. Any such route would still need to compete on cost, quality consistency, and supply volume against established virgin polyol producers.

Source: official release on sanyo-chemical.co.jp. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.

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Sanyo Chemical Develops Cold Flow Improver for Renewable Diesel HVO

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Sanyo Chemical Industries has developed NEOPROVER HBF-151, a cold flow improver designed for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), a renewable diesel refined from used cooking oil and plant-based fats. The additive targets HVO's unique crystallization behavior and has shown strong flowability improvement across a variety of HVO samples. The company is optimizing application parameters and evaluating the product for commercialization, with application studies underway.

Why it matters

Improved cold-weather flow for HVO could widen renewable diesel use in cold climates, where demand is already growing rapidly in Europe, supporting additive demand and fuel adoption.

Key facts

Companies	Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Chemicals	NEOPROVER HBF-151, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
Location	Kyoto, Japan
Timing	2026-08-31
End uses	Renewable diesel fuel, Diesel engines and fueling infrastructure in cold climates

Market context

Cold flow improvers are performance additives that keep diesel fuel flowing at low temperatures by modifying how wax and other solids crystallize, preventing filter plugging and fuel line blockages. Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a paraffinic renewable diesel made by hydroprocessing fats and oils, and its crystallization behaves differently from conventional petroleum diesel, so it often needs tailored additive chemistry. Demand for renewable diesel comes mainly from transport fleets, fuel distributors and governments pursuing lower-carbon fuel mandates, while blending into existing diesel infrastructure makes compatibility with engines and storage systems important. Improved cold-weather performance could widen the range of climates where HVO is practical, which would support demand for specialty additives and for the feedstocks used in production. For chemical buyers, a new additive designed for a specific fuel grade may also shift how refiners and blenders source treatment packages, though commercial availability has not yet been confirmed.

Source: official release on sanyo-chemical.co.jp. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.

The post Sanyo Chemical Develops Cold Flow Improver for Renewable Diesel HVO appeared first on Market Krystal.

Sanyo Chemical Industries Archives | Market Krystal

Sanyo Chemical Launches Polyurethane Foam Chemical Recycling Initiative With Partners

Key facts

Market context

Sanyo Chemical Develops Cold Flow Improver for Renewable Diesel HVO

Key facts

Market context