The Vita Group, one of Europe’s leading flexible polyurethane foam solutions providers, and materials science giant Dow, have jointly announced a new collaboration for the production of flexible polyurethane (PU) foams made with Renuva polyols – raw materials created from recycled mattress content.
It is a logical next step for the Renuva Mattress Recycling Program journey, a circular economy initiative from Dow. On 22nd July this year, Dow announced that Eco-mobilier will supply post-consumer PU mattress foam for chemical recycling to the first industrial scale production plant operated by Orrion Chemicals Orgaform in France. The Vita Group will start using Renuva polyols at its French production site of ICOA in Crancey, France in H1 2021. Vita will also work closely with its customers and mattress brands in the French and European markets to promote the application of this foam for new mattresses, as well as investigating other product areas.
“The Vita Group is inspired to be partnering Dow in the innovative Renuva project. Sustainability and innovation are integral to Vita’s culture, our purpose, and our values," says Ian W Robb, group CEO for The Vita Group (pictured). "We are committed to being pioneers in the development of a circular economy within our industry, where post-consumer flexible PU foams will be recycled into new raw materials for use in our manufacturing processes to produce new high-quality foams.”
Ana Carolina Haracemiv, EMEAI commercial vice president, Dow Polyurethanes, adds: "We are proud to expand the Renuva ecosystem by having Vita on board to produce flexible foam with Renuva polyol. Their market experience and sustainability focus will enable a faster industry realisation of a circular economy for flexible polyurethane foams.”
Other examples of Vita’s adoption of sustainable raw materials are the use of bio polyols made from plants and polyols made from captured CO2. In 2019, Vita was the first PU foam player to launch a TCPP-free foam that meets UK flammability regulation for the furniture and bedding industry.
