Recyclable Foam Initiatives

Dow and Gruppo Fiori have unveiled a new recycling process that recovers polyurethane foam from end-of-life vehicles without the need for disassembly. Since polyurethane is widely used in car seats and interiors, this innovation supports a more sustainable, closed-loop system for the auto industry.

The project comes at a time when Dow is navigating financial pressures, including slim profit margins and high debt, but the development highlights the company’s push toward circular solutions in automotive materials.

"By partnering with Gruppo Fiori, we aim to help OEMs and component manufacturers meet their sustainability goals and regulatory requirements for recycled content without sacrificing the performance benefits of polyurethanes," said Dr. Esther Quintanilla, global MobilityScience marketing director at Dow Polyurethanes.

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