Evonik partners on Japanese polyurethane foam recycling to recover polyols and amines

Evonik has launched Lypron, a rumen-protected lysine solution for ruminant feeding, completing its amino acid balancing concept for livestock production. Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical have also partnered to develop a polyurethane foam recycling model in Japan, aiming to convert discarded foam into recycled polyols and amines for new polyurethane products. Evonik additionally introduced two stiffer VESTAKEEP PEEK grades for long-term dental prosthetics.

Key facts

Market context

Polyurethane foam is a versatile polymer made by reacting polyols with isocyanates. Flexible and rigid grades are used in furniture and bedding, automotive seating and interiors, construction insulation, and packaging. Polyols and amines are the core building blocks of these foams, so their cost and availability feed directly into foam producers' margins. Historically, most end-of-life foam has gone to landfill or low-value uses, which leaves polymer makers exposed to fluctuating virgin feedstock prices. Chemical recycling routes that recover polyols and amines from discarded foam could create a secondary supply stream, reducing dependence on petrochemical inputs and potentially easing price swings. Such initiatives also matter to brand owners and regulators pushing for higher recycled content. Their commercial impact depends on collection volumes, recovered material quality, and whether recycled streams can compete on cost with virgin materials.

Source: official release on corporate.evonik.com. Summary and context written by Market Krystal.