articleAdvanced MaterialsJan 10, 2026BRONZE OA

Recycling and Upcycling of Polyurethane Thermosets: The Second Life of Polymers

Xi'an Jiaotong University

PubMed
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Abstract

Polyurethanes (PU) have been widely utilized in various advanced sectors, from insulation, elastomers, adhesives, and coatings to civil engineering materials. However, within the framework of the circular economy and in light of the urgent need to reduce the environmental impact of plastics, technologies have been designed, assessed, and exploited for the recycling and upcycling of discarded PU thermosets, which are chemically crosslinked and difficult to reprocess. This review comprehensively examines the current state of PU thermosets, discusses various recycling technologies, and highlights emerging upcycling strategies that promise to transform low-value waste into high-performance products. By also…

Citation impact

4
total citations
FWCI
27.96
Percentile
99%
References
267
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Authors

6

Topics & keywords

Keywords
  • Polyurethane
  • Circular economy
  • Smart material
  • Polymer
  • Smart polymer
  • Sustainable design
  • Emerging technologies
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Responsible consumption and production
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