Covestro and Fraunhofer UMSICHT Sign Agreement for Intelligent Pyrolysis Recycling Pilot Plant
Covestro and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) have signed an agreement to operate a pilot plant with an annual capacity of 2 kt for recycling rigid polyurethane foam waste using smart pyrolysis technology. The plant is scheduled to become operational by 2028.
Covestro and Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) have signed a contract to operate a pilot facility with annual capacity of 2 kt for the recycling of rigid polyurethane foam waste through intelligent pyrolysis technology. The facility is planned to commence operations by 2028.
This agreement represents an important milestone in scaling up technology that converts insulation waste from the white goods and construction sectors into high-purity aniline for use in MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) production. The resulting MDI meets the same purity standards as conventional MDI while carrying a carbon footprint up to 40% lower compared to fossil-based production methods.
Under the agreement, Fraunhofer UMSICHT will implement and scale Covestro's proprietary intelligent pyrolysis process, leveraging its research expertise in pyrolysis and existing chemical recycling infrastructure. The pilot facility will have an annual recycling capacity of 2 kt from end-of-life foams.
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