Polyurethane Recycling – Dow and Gruppo Fiori Develop Breakthrough Polyurethane Recycling for Automotive Waste Collaboration enables simplified recovery of polyurethane foam from end-of-life vehicles, advancing circularity in the mobility sector 08-08-2025
Polyurethane Recycling
| Polyestertime | |||
| ITEM | 01/09/2025 | 08/09/2025 | +/- |
| Bottle grade PET chips domestic market | 5,900 yuan/ton | 5,810 yuan/ton | -90 |
| Chinese bottle‑grade PET chips FOB export price
|
780 $/ton | 780 $/ton | – |
| LDPE CFR Est China | 1,092 $/ton | 1,095 $/ton | +3 |
| PET Semidull Fiber chips PET Bright | 5,810 yuan/ton
5,850 yuan/ton |
5,750 yuan/ton
5,800 yuan/ton |
-60
-50 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA domestic market
|
4,745 yuan/ton | 4,590 yuan/ton |
-155 |
| Pure Terephthalic Acid PTA FOB China | 630 $/ton | 623 $/ton | -7 |
| Monoethyleneglycol MEG South China | 4,480 yuan/ton | 4,500 yuan/ton |
+20 |
| Monoethyleneglycol MEG CFR China | 530 $/ton | 522 $/to | -8 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB Taiwan market | 826 $/ton | 807 $/ton |
-19 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB South-Korea market | 827 $/ton | 808 $/ton | -19 |
| Paraxylene PX FOB EU market | 878 $/ton | 851 $/ton | -27 |
| Polyester filament POY 150D/48F domestic market | 6,875 yuan/ton | 6,850 yuan/ton |
-25 |
| Recycled Polyester filament POY domestic market | 6,100 yuan/ton | 6,100 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester filament DTY 150D/48 F domestic market | 8,050 yuan/ton | 8,050 yuan/ton | – |
| Polyester filament FDY 68D24F | 7,750 yuan/ton | 7,700 yuan | -50 |
| Polyester filament FDY 150D/96F domestic market
|
7,150 yuan/ton | 7,125 yuan/ton | -25 |
| Polyester staple fiber 1.4D 38mm domestic market | 6,670 yuan/ton | 6,500 yuan/ton | -170 |
| Caprolactam CPL domestic market | 8,750 yuan/ton | 8,650 yuan/ton |
-100 |
| Caprolactam CPL CFR China | 1,050 $/ton | 1,050 $/ton | – |
| Nylon 6 chips overseas market |
NorthAmerica $2.54/kgEurope $2.43/kgNortheastAsia $1.50/kgSoutheastAsia $1.89/kgMiddleEast $1.68/kg |
China $1.55/kg Germany $1.95/kg USA $2.80/kg Japan $2.7/kg Brazil $2.92/kg |
– |
| Nylon 6 chips conventional spinning domestic market | 9,450 yuan/ton | 9,250 yuan/ton | -200 |
| Nylon 6 chips high speed spinning domestic market | 9,850 yuan/ton | 9,700 yuan/ton | -150 |
| Nylon 6.6 chips domestic market | 14,800 yuan/ton | 14,700 yuan/ton | -100 |
| Nylon6 Filament POY 86D/24F domestic market | 11,750 yuan/ton | 11,750 yuan/ton | – |
| Nylon6 Filament DTY 70D/24F domestic market | 13,950 yuan/ton | 13,950 yuan/ton | – |
| Nylon6 Filament FDY 70D/24F | 12,400 yuan/ton | 12,400 yuan/ton | – |
| -Spandex 20D domestic marke | 26,700 yuan/ton | 26,700 yuan/ton | – |
| Spandex 30D domestic market | 26,200 yuan/ton | 26,200 yuan/ton | – |
| Spandex 40D domestic market | 23,000 yuan/ton | 23,000 yuan/ton | – |
| Adipic Acid China domestic market
Adipic Acid Europe market |
7,400 yuan/ton
1,830 $/ton |
7,300 yuan/ton
1,830 $/ton |
-100
– |
| Benzene domestic market East China | 5,950 yuan/ton | 5,845 yuan/ton | – |
| Benzene CFR China | 742 $/ton | 728 $/ton | -14 |
| Ethylene South East market | 830 $/ton | 840 $/ton | +10 |
| Ethylene NWE market CIF | 816 $/ton | 759 $/ton | -57 |
| Acrylonitrile ACN domestic market | 8,250 yuan/ton | 8,600 yuan/ton | +350 |
| Acrylonitrile ACN Acrylonitrile Southeast Asia | 1,110 $/ton |
1,110 $/ton |
– |
| Acrylic staple fiber ASF CFR China | 13,690 yuan/ton | 13,690 yuan/ton | – |
| VSF viscose staple fiber | 12,950 yuan/ton | 13,100 yuan/ton | +150 |
| PP Powder domestic market | 6,855 yuan/ton | 6,850 yuan/ton | -5 |
| Naphtha overseas market | 559 $/ton | 553 $/ton | -6 |
| Phenol domestic market
Jinan Dezheng Chemical Co., LtdYanshan Petrochemical Shandong Province |
6,800 yuan/ton | 7,023 yuan/ton | +223 |
-recycled PET = 4,300 yuan/ton — 4,300 yuan/ton –
- Mura Hydro-PRT – A new scientific breakthrough is rewriting the future of plastics and polymers. Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, led by Associate Professor Chung, have developed a new type of heat-resistant polyurethane made from lignin (a natural material found in plant cell walls) and captured carbon dioxide 01-09-2025
- New enzyme technology for environmentally friendly plastic recycling
Polyurethane Recycling
Polychim & Milliken introduce UL-validated high-clarity polypropylene for Europe — HJ45XI & HS45XI
Up to 10% energy savings
UL Environmental Claim Validation (ECV)
Millad® NX® 8000 ECO clarifier
Summary
Polychim Industrie — part of Beaulieu International Group — and Milliken & Company have launched two clarified polypropylene (PP) grades (HJ45XI and HS45XI) in Europe featuring Milliken’s Millad® NX® 8000 ECO clarifying agent. These grades are validated by UL’s Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) program and enable verified energy reductions during injection molding.
Energy and processing benefits — verified savings
Independent verification shows converters can save up to 10% energy when molding parts from these resins. That reduction arises because the Millad NX 8000 ECO clarifier improves flow and optical properties, letting processors run lower melt and mold temperatures and shorter cycle times. Polyurethane Recycling
Lower processing temperatures and reduced cycle times not only cut energy bills but often translate to higher throughput and lower per-part cost — a quick win across the plastics value chain from compounder to brand owner.
What the UL Environmental Claim Validation (ECV) label means
The UL ECV is a third-party verification service from UL Solutions. When a resin or finished part carries a UL ECV label, it indicates one or more environmental or performance claims have been independently assessed and validated.
“UL validation increases consumer confidence and brand credibility for products carrying verified environmental claims.” Polyurethane Recycling
Brand owners using Polychim’s Millad-clarified PP can display an ECV label on injection-molded parts, helping communicate verified environmental performance to downstream customers and procurement teams.
Product details: HJ45XI & HS45XI
Polychim’s HJ45XI and HS45XI grades are high-clarity polypropylene featuring Milliken’s Millad® NX® 8000 ECO clarifier. The combined formulation targets aesthetic clarity and improved processability while maintaining mechanical performance typical for injection-molded PP parts. Polyurethane Recycling
| Attribute | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Clarifier | Millad® NX® 8000 ECO — superior optical clarity |
| Energy profile | Up to 10% lower molding energy vs. comparable grades |
| Processing | Lower melt/mold temps, shorter cycles |
| Availability | Now available in Europe |
?Sustainability impact
Polychim reports a site-specific carbon intensity of about 1.0 kg CO₂ per kg of polypropylene produced. Coupled with processing energy savings during molding, brands can reduce the scope of product lifecycle emissions — a useful lever for product-level sustainability communication.
Remember: verified claims (like UL ECV) support credible sustainability messaging and reduce risk during supplier audits or procurement evaluations. Polyurethane Recycling
Performance & technical tips for processors
To capture the energy and cycle-time advantages, processors should:
- Run pilot trials at lower melt temperatures and monitor part quality (shrinkage, clarity, mechanicals).
- Optimize cooling profiles to reduce cycle time without warpage.
- Compare gate designs and pack/hold timing; some geometries benefit more from improved flow.
- Record energy use during trials (kWh per cycle) to build verified savings evidence for your customers. Polyurethane Recycling
Evonik Launches Next Markets Program for Emerging Sectors
Evonik introduces a bold initiative to unlock growth opportunities in fast-changing industries.
About the Next Markets Program
Evonik has launched the Next Markets Program, an initiative designed to tap into growth opportunities by aligning with emerging sectors. The program builds on the company’s established expertise in chemicals and materials while opening pathways into new, fast-evolving markets. Polyurethane Recycling
By pooling technologies, products, and know-how across its divisions, Evonik positions itself as a solutions provider that addresses holistic customer needs. The program acts as a “speedboat” ? — agile, collaborative, and equipped to navigate complex value chains with speed and efficiency.
Focus Areas
The Next Markets Program zeroes in on industries undergoing rapid transformation. The first three focus areas include:
- ♻️ Circular Packaging: Creating sustainable solutions for packaging materials to meet demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
- ? Plastics Recycling: Developing technologies that turn waste into valuable resources while improving efficiency and quality.
- ✈️ Defense & Aerospace: Supplying advanced materials for lightweight, durable, and high-performance applications. Polyurethane Recycling
According to program head Patrick Gloeckner, these sectors require rapid innovation, and Evonik’s broad customer network enables quick responses to shifting needs.
Partnerships & Pilot Projects
Collaboration is at the heart of the Next Markets Program. Interdisciplinary teams are working on pilot projects that address industry-specific challenges.
Pyrolysis & Chemical Recovery
One project explores the use of pyrolysis to extract valuable chemicals from polyolefin-based plastic waste. The challenge? Pyrolysis oils often contain impurities and suffer from storage issues. Evonik’s innovations improve stability, flowability, and purity, paving the way for higher efficiency and broader adoption. Polyurethane Recycling
Recycling Automotive Plastics
Another project targets the automotive sector, where painted plastics are notoriously hard to recycle. In a consortium with BMW and other partners, Evonik has developed a process to separate paints from plastics, producing high-quality recyclates. These can be reused in automotive components, advancing the circular economy in mobility.
“Thanks to Evonik’s technology, plastics once destined for waste can now re-enter the production cycle at high quality.”
Defense, Aerospace & Aviation
Beyond recycling, Evonik sees significant opportunities in defense and aerospace. The Next Markets Program integrates Evonik’s portfolio of high-performance plastics, foams, and specialty additives to meet rising demands in safety, performance, and sustainability. Polyurethane Recycling
Examples include:
- Materials that reduce aircraft weight while maintaining strength and durability.
- Advanced additives improving heat resistance in extreme environments.
- Specialty components for rocket propellants and space applications.
Looking Ahead
Evonik executives emphasize the program’s strategic importance in navigating shifting global dynamics. Lauren Kjeldsen, member of the Executive Board, highlights the initiative as a way to detect emerging needs early and respond with innovative solutions.
Visitors will be able to engage with the Next Markets Program team at K 2025 — the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair — taking place from to in Düsseldorf, Germany. Polyurethane Recycling
With its speedboat-like agility, the Next Markets Program represents Evonik’s forward-looking strategy: identifying opportunities, forming partnerships, and delivering technologies that shape the industries of tomorrow.
♻️ Dow and Gruppo Fiori Develop Breakthrough Polyurethane Recycling for Automotive Waste
Collaboration enables simplified recovery of polyurethane foam from end-of-life vehicles, advancing circularity in the mobility sector.
?♻️A Breakthrough in Polyurethane Foam Recycling
Dow (NYSE: DOW), in partnership with Gruppo Fiori, has unveiled a pioneering process that enables the recovery of polyurethane (PU) foam from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) without requiring disassembly. This represents a major step toward closed-loop circularity in the automotive sector.
Polyurethane foam plays an essential role in vehicle interiors, valued for its comfort, safety, and lightweight properties. A typical car contains around 28 kg of PU, with 10–15 kg found in seats. Traditional recycling methods required disassembly, a costly and complex process that slowed adoption.
The new approach developed by Dow and Gruppo Fiori eliminates this hurdle, delivering a cleaner waste stream ready for depolymerization (chemical recycling). Benefits of the innovation include:
- Recovering polyurethane directly from ELVs without manual disassembly.
- Keeping valuable materials out of landfills.
- Producing streams suitable for industrial-scale recycling. Polyurethane Recycling
- Facilitating the creation of recycled polyols for reuse in mobility applications.
- Helping automakers meet EU End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR) requirements and corporate sustainability goals.
Advancing Automotive Circularity
Dow’s MobilityScience™ division and Gruppo Fiori are working hand-in-hand to create a sustainable automotive recycling ecosystem. Collaboration ensures that every part of the supply chain contributes to designing solutions that make vehicles more recyclable.
“Collaboration is essential to building a closed-loop supply chain for the automotive industry,” said Dr. Esther Quintanilla, Global MobilityScience™ Marketing Director at Dow Polyurethanes.
Through this initiative, Dow’s Renuva™ portfolio of recycled materials gains new momentum. The portfolio focuses on transforming waste into raw materials via mechanical and chemical recycling, supporting the industry’s transition to circular business models. Polyurethane Recycling
“By combining our recycling expertise with Dow’s depolymerization capabilities, we can restore value from waste and reintegrate it into productive use,” noted Mauro Grotto, President of Italmetalli, a Gruppo Fiori company. Polyurethane Recycling
From MoU to Market Readiness
This milestone builds upon the 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dow and Gruppo Fiori. The collaboration examined dismantling processes, assessed the recyclability of recovered materials, and tested innovative business models through a rapid “test-and-learn” approach.
Within a short timeframe, the two partners have demonstrated strong progress toward industrial-scale implementation. The latest breakthrough provides a clear path forward for circularity in mobility and strengthens both companies’ role as pioneers in sustainable innovation. Polyurethane Recycling
Dow’s global expertise in materials science, combined with Gruppo Fiori’s deep knowledge of automotive recycling, creates a partnership uniquely positioned to accelerate decarbonization, enhance EV performance, and transform the automotive sector. ?⚡
About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in packaging, infrastructure, mobility, and consumer applications. With operations in 30 countries and approximately 36,000 employees, Dow reported sales of $43 billion in 2024.
The company’s ambition is to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive, and sustainable materials science company in the world. For more details, visit www.dow.com.
About Gruppo Fiori
Gruppo Fiori has been a major player in the Italian recycling industry for nearly 70 years. Specializing in ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, the group balances economic development with environmental responsibility. Polyurethane Recycling
The company operates two ELV shredding mills alongside multiple lines for processing non-ferrous metals. Gruppo Fiori’s dedication to advanced technology has driven its decision to comply with the EMAS Regulation at its Italmetalli (Crespellano-Bologna) and Italferro (Rome) plants. With a turnover of €450 million and approximately 200 employees, the group plays a vital role in advancing Italy’s circular economy.
Plastics industry sounds alarm in Brussels
In a joint appeal, 28 national and European associations urged the European Commission and Parliament to act swiftly to halt the decline of the plastics and recycling industry
?♻️Executive snapshot
Twenty-eight national and European associations representing the plastics and recycling value chain have published a coordinated appeal to the European Commission and the European Parliament. The letter paints a stark picture: tight margins, record energy bills, rising legal complexity, heavy administrative load and fragmented rules across member states are pushing the sector into decline. The associations call for immediate, practical measures to restore fair conditions, incentivise circular products and protect thousands of jobs.
Market & policy drivers behind the warning
Associations highlight several converging pressures that explain the urgency:
- Cheap imports: Low-priced virgin and recycled plastics from outside the EU are undercutting local producers and depressing demand for EU circular materials.
- Energy costs: High energy prices squeeze manufacturing margins and raise the cost of recycling operations. Polyurethane Recycling
- Regulatory complexity: Legal uncertainty and different interpretations of EU rules across member states create compliance burdens and uneven competition.
- Infrastructure gaps: Collection, sorting and recycling systems in many regions are still underdeveloped, limiting the supply of high-quality recyclate.
Six strategic recommendations (compact)
The letter proposes a focused six-point plan. Below is a concise, web-friendly table you can skim and share.
| # | Measure | Intended effect |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mirror measures on imported virgin & recycled plastics | Level playing field vs non-compliant imports |
| 2 | Stronger customs controls | Prevent entry of low-quality or non-compliant materials |
| 3 | Targeted incentives (infrastructure & fiscal) | Boost collection, sorting and recycling capacity |
| 4 | Eco-modulated EPR fees | Reward recyclability & recycled content |
| 5 | Affordable access to energy | Reduce operating costs for manufacturers & recyclers |
| 6 | Consistent EU legislation | Remove fragmentation and legal uncertainty |
What’s at stake — jobs, investment and circular goals
The signatories warn that without swift action the sector faces a deepening recession that will shrink production, reduce demand for plastics made in the EU, and trigger bankruptcies and closures. The downstream cost: decades of innovation and investments in plastics circularity could be lost, together with thousands of “green” jobs, undermining the EU’s environmental ambitions. Polyurethane Recycling
“If urgent strategic action is not taken, the ongoing recession will further slash the production of plastics in the territory … Decades of investments in innovation and plastics circularity risk being lost.” — Joint letter excerpt
Practical steps Brussels can take now
Short, actionable items — policy levers that can be implemented quickly to stabilise the market and signal commitment to circularity:
- Introduce temporary tariff/anti-dumping checks for suspicious imports while longer-term rules are harmonised.
- Fast-track targeted grants for collection/sorting infrastructure in regions with the biggest gaps. Polyurethane Recycling
- Publish clear guidance on EPR rules to remove legal ambiguity for businesses across member states.
- Launch pilot fiscal incentives that reward verified recycled content in priority product categories.
