Furniture giant Ikea's well-publicized pledge to produce 100 percent of its plastics products with renewable and recycled materials by 2020 has one big exception. It excludes polyurethane foam products, according to the company.
Presenting the keynote paper at the 10th European Bioplastics Conference on Nov. 6 in Leiden, the Netherlands, Per Stoltz, sustainability developer, global retail services for Ikea, said, “By 2020, 100 percent of our plastics will be made from renewable or recycled sources.” That includes its “strong ambition regarding bioplastics.
“Our focus is on second generation feedstock which it should be possible to handle in recycling systems,” he added.
However, Ikea has since clarified its position concerning polyurethane. While it is possible to produce polyols from renewable resources, the infrastructure and ability to produce polyols by fully renewable routes would not be in place by 2020.
“Currently polyurethane foam is not included in the 100 percent renewable or recycled pledge for 2020,” said Ikea spokesman Mike Creevy.
However, the company is beginning to bring bio-based PU foam into its processes.