New Beginnings: Fascia to Roof Rail Using LCM to Evaluate Chemical Reclamation of Polyurethanes

Life cycle benefits of using polyols, recovered from polyurethanes, for the manufacture of new automotive components are detailed. Design, manufacture, use and end-of-vehicle-life phases are reviewed and presented using a life cycle management approach. This methodology has been found useful to examine complex systems to guide decision makers in optimizing total life cycle costs.

This paper discusses the factors, decision process, and path that led to the establishment of an alliance to develop the waste collection infrastructure, chemical recovery process (glycolysis), recyclate polyol product and the resultant vehicle components.