Ikano Industry on the road towards circularity
Material production globally accounts for around 25 percent of global emissions. At Ikano, we aim to use fewer virgin resources and design products, services and processes with circularity in mind. Our goal is to prevent waste, prioritise reuse and recycling, and make sustainable, circular solutions accessible and affordable for the many people. By applying circular thinking across our business models, we reduce environmental impact, cut costs, and create long‑term value for our customers and communities.
One business that is taking great strides on the road towards circularity is Ikano Industry. As a fully integrated producer of flexible polyurethane foam and mattresses, they manage the entire production process from raw material to finished product. In 2013, they introduced RePoliol® – a secondary polyol produced from foam residues, turning production waste into a secondary raw material.
Today, their foam contains up to 35 percent RePoliol® (depending on foam type), and they are actively testing formulations targeting 50 without compromising performance. To date, more than 9,000 tonnes of foam has been returned to production, and reduced virgin polyol use by more than 20,000 tonnes. At their Foam Competence Centre, even more rewnewable alternatives are being developed, including plant-based RePoliol®.
In 2025, they extended the chemical reuse process to the Americas, by launching a material recirculation unit at the site in Mexico – now the largest circular foam production facility in the region.