# Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical launch Japan polyurethane foam recycling initiative > Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical launched a Japan polyurethane foam recycling initiative to turn discarded foam into recycled polyols and amines. - Published: 2026-10-14T13:17:49+00:00 - Section: Partnerships - Author: News Desk - URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-14/evonik-japan-polyurethane-foam-recycling - Source: [B2B Marketplace](https://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/chemicals-news/germany-s-evonik-partners-to-develop-pu-foam-recycling-in-japan-314256-newsdetails.htm) ## Key takeaways - Evonik, Toyotsu Chemiplas and Sanyo Chemical launched a Japan polyurethane foam recycling initiative on October 14, 2026. - Toyotsu Chemiplas coordinates collection and logistics, Sanyo Chemical handles polyol and process work, and Evonik contributes hydrolysis-based chemical recycling technology. - New polyurethane foam has already been produced using 100 percent recycled polyol derived from the process. [Evonik Industries](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000fsc) has partnered with [Toyotsu](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000ouym) Chemiplas Corporation and [Sanyo Chemical Industries](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002qqcn), Ltd. to develop a recycling model for polyurethane foam in Japan, converting discarded foam into recycled polyols and amines for new polyurethane products. [B2B Marketplace](https://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/chemicals-news/germany-s-evonik-partners-to-develop-pu-foam-recycling-in-japan-314256-newsdetails.htm) reported the initiative on October 14, 2026. ## How the Evonik, Toyotsu and Sanyo Roles Divide Within the partnership, Toyotsu Chemiplas will coordinate the initiative and contribute its collection network and logistics expertise. Sanyo Chemical will provide its expertise in polyol development and process technology, while Evonik will contribute its proprietary hydrolysis-based chemical recycling process and technical expertise. The partners plan to develop a system for collecting both post-consumer polyurethane foam and post-industrial scrap. The collected material will be chemically recycled into high-purity polyols and amines, intended for reuse as raw materials in the manufacture of new polyurethane products. The three companies will jointly evaluate the entire process, from collection and sorting to the production of recycled polyols and the manufacture of new polyurethane products, including quality assessments and further updates to Evonik's existing life cycle assessment to reflect the proposed value chain in Japan. The objective is to commercialize the technology and establish a scalable recycling model for polyurethane foam in Japan. "This collaboration with our Japanese partners represents an important step toward developing a practical recycling model for polyurethane foam in Japan," said Dr. Martin Trocha, Head of Comfort & Adhesives in Evonik's business line Interface & Polyurethane Additives. "By combining local collection and logistics expertise with polyol development and our chemical recycling technology, we aim to recover valuable raw materials for use in new, high-quality polyurethane foams and support more circular polyurethane value chains." ## Evonik's Recycling and Divestment Record According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Evonik entered a partnership with Vary Tech in May 2026 to launch a full-industry chain process package for chemically recycling mixed waste plastics into high-quality Plastic Pyrolysis Oil and circular naphtha, establishing CARBON LOOP SYSTEMS PTE. LTD. The same records show Evonik confirmed it will exit its global polyester business in 2027, affecting approximately 350 positions at facilities in Witten and Marl in Germany and Shanghai in China. ## Earlier Evonik Partnerships and Divestments In June 2026, Evonik announced the sale of selected pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing assets at its Hanau facility in Germany to contract manufacturing specialist ProChem Group, according to akta.pro company records. In the same month, Evonik entered a strategic partnership with the School of Mining at the University of Guanajuato in Mexico to develop next-generation sustainable and lower-toxicity chemical solutions for mining applications using Evonik's rhamnolipid biosurfactants platform, the same records show. ## What Comes Next for the Japan Initiative The partners plan quality, life cycle and commercialisation reviews as part of the initiative, and Evonik will update its existing life cycle assessment to reflect the proposed value chain in Japan. ## Companies in this story - [Evonik Industries company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0000fsc) · website: https://corporate.evonik.com - [Toyotsu chemiplas company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/000ouym) · website: http://toyotsu-chemiplas.com/en - [Sanyo Chemical Industries company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/002qqcn) · website: https://www.sanyo-chemical.co.jp --- News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt