H&S Anlagentechnik GmbH has successfully finalized the setup of an industrial-scale reactor facility for RetourMatras, a Dutch recycling enterprise specializing in the disassembly of mattresses and their conversion into circular resources. The recently established recycling plant employs an advanced depolymerization recycling method to generate premium recycled polyol (Repolyol) from polyurethane foam (PU) extracted from end-of-life mattresses.
Polyol stands as a fundamental component of polyurethane foam, the primary cushioning material found in mattresses. The ability to reclaim polyol without compromising its quality facilitates its reuse as a circular raw material for the manufacturing of new PU foam, thereby contributing to the creation of fresh mattresses and other upholstered furniture—a notable stride towards circularity. “The H&S procedure enables us to chemically recycle diverse foam types sourced from various mattress producers, aligning with our commitment to ensuring that no mattress is discarded but instead repurposed into circular resources,” underscores Chico van Hemert, Managing Director at RetourMatras. The commissioning of the facility occurred in May 2023 in Lelystad (NL), empowering the newly constructed recycling plant to convert PU foam from 200,000 mattresses into repolyols annually through the state-of-the-art recycling technology offered by H&S.
In a recent development, RetourMatras has forged a collaboration with IKEA Retail to devise a circular approach for managing the end-of-life phase of their mattresses, in line with IKEA’s strategy of utilizing products crafted from recycled or sustainable materials.
Across Europe, an estimated 40 million mattresses are discarded each year. Opting for mattress recycling over incineration can facilitate the recovery of materials for subsequent use, thereby perpetuating their circulation. To address the mounting waste concerns and notably diminish landfill and incineration activities, the European Union aims to recycle 65% of municipal waste by 2030. “By transforming PU waste from end-of-life mattresses into top-notch recovered polyols suitable for incorporation into new PU items, our innovative recycling methodology can play a pivotal role in realizing the ambitious objectives of the EU waste legislation,” elucidates Mila Skokova, Deputy Managing Director Sales at H&S. “This underscores our delight in witnessing a growing interest among businesses in the recuperation of polyols and the pursuit of sustainable PU recycling solutions.”