Bio‑based polyurethane recycling: solutions for Bern

Prof. Dr. Rebecca Buller, Dr. Thomas Bayer, Departement für Chemie, Biochemie und Pharmazie (DCBP)

External partners: AREC Abfall Recycling Bern AG, Stadt Bern Entsorgung & Recycling, RC Plast / Cand-Landi SA und weitere

Polyurethanes are everywhere: they are found in mattresses, shoes and insulation materials — yet they are difficult to biodegrade. PURE Bern develops enzymes that break down PU and recover its monomer building blocks for reuse, and tests them on real PU waste collected directly from the urban area of Bern. Unlike mechanical recycling or incineration, this approach enables gentle upcycling without loss of quality and without the use of additional chemicals. Together with local recycling partners, new recovery streams are being established; one PhD thesis and two Master’s theses are underway, and the public is being engaged through symposia and social media to raise awareness for modern circular solutions.