FCC

CSIR-NCL and Covestro Collaborate to Upcycle Polyurethane Waste

2025-07-21

In a move towards sustainable plastic waste management, Pune-based CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Covestro (India) Private Limited on Wednesday to develop innovative upcycling technologies for polyurethane waste.

Polyurethane is notoriously difficult to recycle, with current methods often proving inefficient, costly, and environmentally harmful. This collaboration aims to address existing challenges, including high energy usage and deterioration of material quality during recycling.

Ashish Lele, director of CSIR-NCL, stated, “This partnership marks a significant advance towards sustainable plastic management in India and worldwide, with the potential to convert polyurethane waste into valuable chemical resources.”