Polyurethanes are among the most used polymers due to their advantageous mechanical and thermal insulating performance. Currently, there is a great demand to substitute traditional raw material in the synthesis of polyurethane foams applied in the building sector because sustainable development and the circular economy have gained a great amount of attention internationally and nationally in developed and developing countries. To uphold the Earth’s productivity, reduce our carbon footprint, and obtain the maximum economic gain, sustainable development together with the circular economy promote improved methods which guide the reuse, recycling, substitution of natural resources, and development of engineering processes that could minimize the energy consumption, resources used, and waste generation. Thus, there is an urgent need to study performance characteristics of such polyurethane foams and their composites in order to assess the suitability of such materials to be used for thermal insulation, sound absorbing or even structural purposes. The present Special Issue on Performance Research of Polyurethane Foams and Composites welcomes contributions in the form of full articles or review articles in topics related to the synthesis, characterization, modification, and processing of polyurethane foams and composites for use in various applications, including but not limited to building, automative, bedding, and footwear insdustries. This Special Issue represents a good opportunity for chemists, biochemists, technologists, and engineers to present their research that aims to produce and characterize polyurethane foams and composites which meet the stringening requirements for sustainability and a circular economy.
Keywords: polyurethane foam; polyurethane composite; filled polyurethanes; performance; sustainability; circular economy; modified polyurethane; carbon footprint.