Covestro India and CSIR-NCL collaborate to develop advanced chemical recycling methods for sustainable, circular reuse of polyurethane waste materials.
Covestro (India) Private Limited has entered into a strategic collaboration with the CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership initiates a forward-looking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative focused on developing innovative and sustainable upcycling techniques for polyurethane (PU) waste. The objective is to overcome the existing limitations of current recycling technologies by pioneering solutions that can transform used PU materials into high-value chemical building blocks.
This joint project marks a significant step toward the circular economy, particularly in the context of polyurethane, which is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its complex, cross-linked molecular structure. Present recycling methods—primarily mechanical—offer limited success, often resulting in downgraded material quality and consuming high amounts of energy. Moreover, current chemical recycling techniques are either nascent or inefficient, frequently leading to the production of harmful byproducts and limited applicability across different polyurethane formulations.
The collaboration between Covestro and NCL aims to address these shortcomings by developing commercially scalable chemical recycling technologies. These methods will strive to retain or even enhance the value of the recycled material, thereby reducing dependency on virgin raw materials and lowering environmental impacts. The research will also explore both conventional and electrochemical pathways for chemical upcycling.
Avinash Bagdi, Director and Head of Sales & MD Solutions India & Projects – Tailored Urethanes at Covestro, emphasized the significance of this initiative. He noted, “This partnership reinforces Covestro’s vision of achieving full circularity. By creating efficient ways to upcycle PU waste, we are actively contributing to a more sustainable future and furthering our goal of transitioning to a circular economy.”
Polyurethane is widely used across sectors including automotive, construction, insulation, and furniture. However, its end-of-life treatment is often problematic. Most PU waste is currently discarded in landfills, given the material’s resistance to degradation and its complex structure. This linear disposal model is environmentally unsustainable, calling for innovative recycling approaches—precisely what this initiative seeks to deliver.
Dr. Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are excited to work alongside Covestro (India) on this transformative project. The chemical and electrochemical upcycling strategies under development are intended to overcome the limitations of today’s recycling technologies. Our efforts are firmly aligned with the broader mission of achieving plastic sustainability and a circular materials economy.”
With over 70 years of scientific leadership, CSIR–NCL brings unmatched expertise in chemical science and sustainable technology. By combining Covestro’s industrial knowledge with NCL’s research capabilities, the partnership is poised to drive impactful innovation in polyurethane waste management and promote circularity in plastic usage on both a national and global scale.
