BASF SE is using recycled PET in polyurethane rigid foams and spray foam that the firm will be promoting at K 2022.
Elastopor-brand and Elastopir-brand PU rigid foams and Elastospray-brand spray foams with recycled PET now are commercially available, officials with BASF in Ludwigshafen, Germany, said in a news release.
The PET recyclates come from established recycling processes for PET waste streams. The recycled-content foams are ideal for production of facade and roof elements of industrial buildings, officials said, combining outstanding mechanical and physical properties with thermal insulation.
The materials reduce buildings' product carbon footprint (PCF) and contain "a substantial share" of recyclate in the polyol component of the PU rigid foam, they added.
"With the dedicated shares of recycled content, we make it easier for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals faster," commercial marketing construction manager Fabian Lied said.
Elastospray PU spray foam with recycled content also can meet sustainability goals, officials said. The materials were developed for the Italian market last year and now are throughout Europe.
Officials said that BASF PU spray foams are "an outstanding insulation value," as well as being airtight and watertight. Their high energy efficiency also contributes to long-term cost savings. Reclycled-content Elastospray has the same thermal properties and density as conventional spray foams.
"To achieve the higher-order goals of a circular economy, it's up to us to develop new systems that help conserve resources, reduce emissions and achieve a low PCF at all stages of make/use/recycle," residential marketing construction manager Raman Chaudhari said.