SLOU BED recycles memory foam to eliminate waste

A worker at the ‘SLOU BED’ mattress factory of Fursys in Anseong is placing discarded memory foam into a shredder for recycling. (Park Joon-hyung)

The mattress factory of SLOU BED under South Korea’s Fursys Group is operating at full capacity as orders continue to flood in.

Located about an hour and a half south of Seoul, the 11,800-square-meter facility in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, is bustling with activity despite the lingering summer heat.

The factory can produce about 5,000 mattresses per month, pushing its production capabilities to the limit.

An unusual sight catches the eye inside the factory: while memory foam production is in full swing, a worker feeds memory foam scraps into a shredder.

“These are leftover memory foam pieces being shredded for recycling,” said Choi Hye-jin, who oversees SLOU BED’s operations.

After two years of research and development, the company pioneered a process to recycle these scraps into an eco-friendly material called Recotec Foam, now used in 60 percent of its mattresses.

The recycling process involves shredding the foam, chemically liquefying it, and then re-forming it into new memory foam.

“We dedicated two years to R&D to ensure that the recycled foam matches the quality of new foam,” Choi said.

As a result, the factory has eliminated 1 to 2 tons of foam waste daily.

Initially aiming to reduce waste through eco-friendly manufacturing, SLOU BED faced the challenge of being the first in Korea to recycle memory foam.

With no existing expertise, the company partnered with SK pucore to co-develop the liquefaction technology.

“This reflects our company’s philosophy of investing in the future for long-term benefits rather than focusing solely on immediate profits,” Choi said.

SLOU BED’s commitment to sustainability is also evident in its latest product, the Starry Night Mattress.

Recently gaining attention through a collaboration with popular Korean celebrity Lee Hyo-ri, the mattress is designed for easy disassembly and recycling by minimizing the use of adhesives.

The Easy Cut Pocket Spring system allows springs and nonwoven fabric to be separated by hand in just a few minutes—a process demonstrated during the factory tour.

“The collaboration with Lee made this project particularly meaningful,” Choi said, adding that Lee was actively involved in selecting fabrics, testing materials, and contributing to the overall design.

Expanding its environmental efforts, SLOU BED signed an agreement with Eco Buddy, a local environmental organization, last month, to support endangered species protection campaigns.

For every mattress sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the organization on a quarterly basis.

Founded in 2016 as part of the Fursys Group, SLOU BED has yet to launch extensive marketing campaigns. However, its reputation is growing among consumers who prioritize green products. Sales are expected to reach 18 billion won this year, marking a 20 percent increase from last year.

“We’re expanding our experiential stores and are preparing to enter the Taiwanese market soon,” Choi said.