Assessment of the economic recycling potential of a glycolysis treatment of rigid polyurethane foam waste: A case study from Thailand. (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanchanapiya, Premrudee; Intaranon, Noramon; Tantisattayakul, Thanapol
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 280(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: Polyurethane foam waste -- Waste recycling -- Glycolysis treatment -- Economic assessment; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111638
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: This research assessed the economic feasibility of recovering polyol from rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) waste, collected from dismantled, discarded refrigerators, by a single-phase glycolysis recycling process using domestic crude glycerol (a byproduct of biodiesel production) as a transesterification agent. The study, conducted in Thailand, took into account benefits from the added value of the recovered product, the investment and related operating costs of the process, demand (the need for the recovered product) and supply (the amount of RPUF waste). The results showed that the production of recovered polyol from RPUF waste is economically feasible, with a net present value of 1, 113, 018 USD, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 22.9%, and a payback period of 4.4 years. Due to the high IRR, project investment should be attractive to both the government and private sector investors. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the economic resilience of the process to uncertainties in key factors, including the prices of the machinery, recovered polyol, crude glycerol and stannous octoate, and the amount of RPUF waste available. The sensitivity analysis showed that the economic feasibility was most sensitive to the price of the recovered polyol, followed by the amount of RPUF waste and the prices of the machinery, crude glycerol and stannous octoate. Based on these results, technological, operational, financial, and regulatory policy recommendations were also presented. Highlights: The economic feasibility of rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF) waste recovery by glycolysis technology was assessed. Recovery is economically worthwhile and the price of polyol is the most sensitive factor to the return. Two strategies for glycolysis plant location: centralized plant and distributed regional plants were suggested. Technological, operational, financial, and regulatory policy recommendation was presented.