Vacation time is also hotel time. Good rest requires comfortable sleep. Vacationers and business travelers can now sleep on mattresses containing recycled raw materials. BASF and NEVEON have proven this is possible. Together, the two companies have taken another step forward on the path to a circular economy. Polyols made entirely from used mattresses can now be produced on a ton-scale using an innovative recycling process developed by BASF. NEVEON processes this recycled polyol into new high-quality mattresses.
The mattresses are currently being rolled out for the first time at BASF’s René Bohn business hotel. René Bohn General Manager Alexander Gerung
“I’m delighted that these mattresses are celebrating their debut at our hotel. We are always looking for sustainable alternatives and are particularly excited to showcase BASF’s innovations,” said Schaden. In total, the hotel is equipped with approximately 100 of these unique beds. pad.
Core components of mattress
Polyols and isocyanates are required to produce polyurethane foam mattresses. BASF has now successfully produced high-quality polyols from used mattresses instead of fossil raw materials. NEVEON further processes these recycled polyols into high-quality mattress foam with an unprecedented 80% recycled polyol content. Roland, Vice President of R&D at NEVEON
“The challenge in producing a foam block with such a high polyol content from used mattresses is to adapt the formulation and production so that all of its quality characteristics are the same as a product made from non-recycled polyol,” explains Krämer.
The second major component of foam – isocyanate – is not currently available as recyclables. To be able to manufacture the mattress in the most resource-saving way, certified isocyanates and polyols from BASF’s Biomass Balance (BMB) product line are used; during the production process, fossil raw materials are renewable at the very beginning of the value chain raw materials replaced. Christopher, Vice President of BASF’s European Isocyanates and Intermediates business
Metz said: “We are proud of the progress we have made in partnership with NEVEON. However, widespread commercial application of recycled polyols is still some way off. We need to engage all stakeholders along the value chain to be able to target Sexually closing the mattress cycle.” René
The mattresses used in Bohn Hotels also have special sustainable properties in the processing of the mattress foam: unlike most comfort mattresses, the various foam parts are not glued together but are connected via an innovative zipper design. This makes it easier to recycle the individual components of the mattress.