Dow, JLR, and Adient Unveil Industry-First Innovation for Circularity in Automotive Seating

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has achieved a significant milestone in the automotive industry by successfully reintegrating polyurethane seat foam from used vehicles into the production of new seats, creating a closed-loop recycling system. This breakthrough, achieved in collaboration with Dow's MobilityScience™ material innovations and automotive seating leader Adient, marks the first time recycled seat foam has been used in automotive manufacturing.

Polyurethane foams, commonly used in car seats, are challenging to recycle due to their durability, which often leads to them ending up in landfills, where they can persist for generations. JLR's closed-loop supply chain will address this issue by reducing emissions and eliminating waste while providing a reliable source of low-carbon seat foam. The recycled foam is part of a new "circular seat" design that is expected to cut CO2e emissions by 50%, preventing over 44kg of CO2e per seat. This is equivalent to charging nearly 3,000 smartphones.

Andrea Debbane, JLR’s Chief Sustainability Officer, expressed excitement about the potential of this new approach, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across industries to drive meaningful change and support the transition to sustainable vehicle production. She highlighted that working with experts in recycling, materials science, and the supply chain is crucial to unlocking full circularity and meeting the company’s sustainability goals.

Jon Penrice, President of Mobility at Dow, explained that this collaboration is part of Dow’s MobilityScience™ initiative, which seeks to promote sustainable mobility through advanced material science. By working with JLR and Adient, Dow is advancing its circular and renewable solutions, helping customers meet recycled content targets through its RENUVA™ sustainability program. The breakthrough’s chemical and advanced recycling processes ensure that the recycled foam maintains the high comfort and quality expected in JLR seats.

Mick Flanagan, Vice President at Adient, added that the company is proud to lead the integration of closed-loop recycled materials into its seating solutions. The partnership with JLR and Dow not only reflects a shared commitment to sustainability but also demonstrates how innovative collaborations can drive significant advancements in the automotive sector. Adient’s use of recycled polyurethane sets new standards for environmental responsibility while maintaining the luxury and comfort that customers demand.

This achievement is a result of ongoing research at JLR’s Circularity Lab in Gaydon, which aims to improve vehicle recyclability and reduce waste. Historically, vehicles have been designed with limited regard for easy disassembly and material separation, making recycling difficult. The Circularity Lab brings together cross-disciplinary teams to address these challenges, working closely with suppliers and experts to find solutions for reuse and recycling in automotive production.

Dow is a global materials science company that manufactures raw materials and formulated products such as polyolefins, polyurethanes, silicones, and acrylics. Since 2021, Dow has been the Official Materials Science Partner of Jaguar TCS Racing. In October 2023, Dow and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand their partnership across JLR’s broader operations, aiming to jointly explore opportunities for collaboration. The focus will be on advancing sustainability-driven innovations in applied material science, helping both companies strengthen their leadership in this field.