Collaboration develops industry-first closed-loop recycled PU into new seat foam

Dow’s MobilityScience material innovations, global leader in automotive seating Adient and JLR collaborated in a technical breakthrough – the closed-loop recycling of polyurethane seat foam from JLR’s used vehicles by reintegrating it back into the production of new seats.

Dow, JLR and Adient collaborated to develop industry-first closed-loop recycling of polyurethane seat foam.

This marks the industry’s first time to use closed-loop seat foam content in automotive production.

“Through chemical and advanced recycling processes, this breakthrough depolymerization closed-loop recycling solution meets the requirements and maintains the superior comfort and quality of JLR seats,” said Jon Penrice, Mobility President from Dow.

The recycled foam used in the new seat is estimated to half CO2e emissions impact, avoiding over 44kg of CO2e per seat, the equivalent of charging almost 3,000 smartphones.

JLR is currently putting the material through its full production process aiming to test its use at scale in pre-production vehicles in early 2025.

The breakthrough is a result of ongoing research and testing at JLR’s Circularity Lab at the company’s headquarters in Gaydon, the UK, which aims to reduce waste and boost the recyclability of its luxury vehicles.