Convert polyurethane waste into polyols through chemical recycling

Michael Kugler and Marco Werth of RAMPF Eco Solutions have dedicated their careers to developing chemical solutions for the manufacture of high-quality alternative polyols

Marco Werth said: "A few years ago, some people might say that I sounded too emotional when describing my work; however, things have changed recently

For more than 20 years, Werth has been working on the benefits of chemical recycling and marketing of alternative polyols based on polyurethane (PU) waste-first at Regra Kunststofftechnik GmbH and then as Marketing and Sales Director at RAMPF Eco Solutions, the company in 2003 Acquired the "ecosystem" business unit of Regra

One of RAMPF Exo Solutions' products is RECYPOL-ether and ester polyols based on polyurethane materials

At RAMPF Eco Solutions headquarters in Pirmasens, Germany, the two largest multifunctional plants in Europe use industrial-scale solvolysis (glycolysis, acidolysis and polylysis) to produce customized polyols from polyurethane waste or PET/PSA

Werth pointed out: "Recycled polyols have the highest quality and are cheaper than the original polyols

For mattresses and car seats

RAMPF ECO SOLUTIONS also formulates polyurethane material combinations based on its own polyols

Obsessed with chemistry

The driving force behind this chemical process is Michael Kugler, a true leader in the German chemical recycling industry

Kugler said: "Chemistry continues to attract me

Close cooperation with customers is the key to success and why Kugler enjoys work so much

Seize the opportunity to reuse waste

RAMPF ECO SOLUTIONS polyols are tailor-made for customers, which requires a high level of research and development, because waste is more complex than other raw materials

Participating in funded research projects is an effective way to develop new products and new processes

Customized chemical plant

RAMPF ECO SOLUTIONS also designs and builds customized multifunctional factories for customers, and plans for customers to produce on-site alternative polyols based on polyurethane residue, PET/PSA, polyester and biomonomers

Werth pointed out: "This product is unique in the industry

In 2017, a particularly interesting project brought these two long-term colleagues to Dubai to commission a factory for a leading insulation technology supplier, enabling it to replace polyols with its own PU/PIR waste production

The development of the plastics industry

Kugler and Werth called for more ambitious policies in chemical recycling