Environmental Improvement Potential of Flexible Polyurethane Foam for Aviation Applications - A Case Example Analysis

Abstract The assessment of the environmental impacts an aircraft and its components parts should go beyond use phase when assessing sustainability circularity. Environmental from manufacturing phases e.g. related to consumption resources, pollutions, hazardous materials as well those end-of-life must not be neglected. Hence, a life cycle (LCA) screening has been conducted based on case example polyurethane flexible foams (PUR-FF) for application seating cushions. This analysis covers production PUR-FF with particular focus three perspectives: (i) bio-materials instead fossil-based material; (ii) reduction replacement chemicals like heavy metal catalysts flame retardants; (iii) recovery polyol by chemical solvolysis PUR-FFs. main results improvement potentials are presented here.