Covestro is working with 21 other partners from nine countries to close the material cycle for rigid polyurethane (PU) foams. As insulation material in refrigerators and buildings, these foams help to significantly increase energy efficiency. However, to date there is a lack of coordinated waste management and suitable recycling processes for a sustainable life cycle. The CIRCULAR FOAM project coordinated by Covestro aims to change that. Under its umbrella, experts from science, business and society will develop a comprehensive solution model over the next four years. The goal is to close the material cycle for PU rigid foams and to prepare the Europe-wide implementation of this blueprint. This could save one million tonnes of waste, 2.9 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions and 150 million euros in incineration costs every year in Europe from 2040 onwards.