Upcycling: From post-consumer PU scrap to virgin PU coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers

 
The paper will discuss different chemical methods (such as hydrolysis, acidolysis, glycolysis or aminolysis) to re- and upcycle polyurethane scrap into polyamine dispersions. These polyamine dispersions can replace 50-100% of virgin chemicals in new CASE (coating, adhesive, sealant or elastomer) formulations and offer unique possibilities, e.g. autocatalytic activity or can be functionalized with flame-retardant or biocidal behaviour. Besides the re- and upcycling technology few case studies looking at water-proofing and corrosion protection coatings based on recycling educts will be presented.