Core Insights - The collaboration between Dow and Gruppo Fiori has led to a novel process for recovering polyurethane from end-of-life vehicles without the need for labor-intensive disassembly [4][5][6] - This innovation aims to create a closed-loop supply chain for polyurethane in the automotive industry, enhancing sustainability and reducing waste [6][8] - The process allows for the chemical recycling of polyurethane waste into new feedstocks, supporting the automotive industry's sustainability goals and compliance with regulations [6][16] Company Collaboration - Dow and Gruppo Fiori are leveraging their respective expertise in materials science and automotive recycling to streamline the collection and processing of polyurethane waste [3][4] - The partnership builds on a memorandum of understanding established in 2024, focusing on innovative business models and technical breakthroughs for recycling end-of-life vehicle materials [9] Environmental Impact - A typical vehicle contains approximately 28 kg of polyurethane, with 10-15 kg in seats, highlighting the significant sustainability potential of this material [5] - The new recovery process aims to keep valuable polyurethane foam out of landfills and reintegrate it into productive use, facilitating industrial-scale recycling [16] Market Readiness - The collaboration is progressing towards market readiness, with a focus on enabling compliance with upcoming mandatory recycled content requirements from the End of Life Vehicle Regulation (ELVR) [16] - Dow's Renuva™ portfolio of recycled materials is positioned to accelerate the transformation of waste streams into new raw materials through this partnership [8]