Conclusion
Polyurethanes and Ecological and Economic Transitions Towards new opportunities

Polyurethanes (PUs), one of the six most widely produced polymers worldwide, are attracting growing interest due to issues associated with the toxicity of their monomers, their petrochemical origin, their durability, recyclability and end-of-life management. A number of measures have been implemented to mitigate isocyanate toxicity. Today, isocyanate producers have fully mastered protocols for the safe handling of phosgene on an industrial scale, thereby limiting the risk of toxic emissions. Given the high toxicity of some isocyanates, low-volatility variants are preferred. In addition, the introduction of blocked isocyanates, together with the development of waterborne PU (WPU), has helped minimize the risks associated with handling these compounds.

At the same time, short-chain polyfunctional alcohols of renewable origin were synthesized to offer more environmentally-friendly...