FURI | Spring 2026

Depolymerization of Crosslinked Commercial Polyurethane Foam via Reactive Extrusion Decrosslinking

This research explores a solvent-free approach to upcycling thermoset polyurethane foams (PUFs). Thermoset PUFs are rigid and complex in structure, resulting in exceptionally low end-of-life recycling rates. The proposed reactive decrosslinking (REXD) utilizes twin-screw extrusion to transform thermoset PUFs into thermoplastics without the use of solvents, allowing the process to be environmentally sustainable. By improving the reprocessability of PUFs, this technique supports recycling initiatives and encourages circularity within industrial applications.