After almost two years of joint work, the RECIPOL project (Cervera Network for the Recycling and Recovery of Polyurethane) came to an end in June 2025 with a final consortium meeting held in Madrid. At FUNDITEC, as a member technology center of the network, we have played a key role in developing sustainable alternatives to conventional polyurethane, with results that reinforce our commitment to innovation and the circular economy. The Cervera RECIPOL network was made up of five leading technology centers: the Furniture and Wood Technology Center (CETEM), Aitiip Technology Center; the Rioja Footwear Technology Center (CTCR); the Packaging, Transport, and Logistics Technology Institute (ITENE); and FUNDITEC.
What have we achieved?
At Funditec_Research Science, which specializes in advanced materials and is led by our principal investigator Dulce Muñoz, we have developed a new generation of Isocyanate-Free Polyurethanes (NIPUs), formulated from renewable raw materials such as lignin, soybean oil, thymol, and vanillin. These formulations not only avoid the use of highly toxic isocyanates, but also incorporate reversible bonds that allow for both physical and chemical recyclability.
Among the most notable achievements:
- Synthesis of NIPUs with high bio-based content, using cyclic carbonates derived from biomass.
- Advanced properties in the materials developed, with mechanical and thermal resistance and proven antibacterial capacity (100% reduction against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae).
- Validation in real industrial applications such as adhesives, coatings, and elastomers.
- Potential for chemical recycling in specific formulations, facilitating material circularity.
These advances have resulted in a patent application, reinforcing Funditec’s commitment to technology transfer and knowledge protection.
Another step towards a cleaner industry
The development of competitive and sustainable NIPUs represents a concrete response to the current challenges facing the industrial sector: more stringent regulations, the need to reduce environmental impact, and impact on various sectors, as it can provide an innovative and sustainable alternative to conventional polyurethane with the potential to transform industries such as packaging, automotive, footwear, and furniture, facilitating the transition to a circular economy model. At FUNDITEC, we will continue to promote this type of technology to facilitate its arrival on the market, hand in hand with companies and institutions committed to a more responsible production model.
