End-of-life Vehicles Recovery and Recycling Polyurethane Seat Cushion Recycling Options Analysis

Polyurethane is now one of the key materials in automotive production. It is used in a wide variety of applications in a car and end-of-life considerations should be addressed at the higher volume parts.

The polyurethane raw material and converting industry through its industry associations ISOPA and Euro-Moulders respectively has evaluated best practices for recycling of seat cushions within the European End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive. The different aspects of ELV compliance, technical, investment, market, quality requirements of products and chain deficit were addressed and evaluated from a stake holder industry point of view.

The reason for addressing mainly the recycling route is due to the stringent 85 % reuse and recycling quota for the End of life vehicle (ELV) to be met in 2015.