Posco International invests in Catack-H carbon fiber recycling
The MOU is advancing the South Korean recycler’s solvolysis capabilities, supporting post-production and EOL scrap securement and promoting global export of Catack-H’s milled carbon fiber and nonwoven fabrics.
Posco International director Lee Seong-su (left) and Catack-H CEO Jeong Jin-ho (right). Source | Catack-H
Catack-H (HwaSeong, South Korea), a deep-tech startup specializing in eco-friendly carbon fiber composites recycling, and Posco International (Incheon), South Korea’s largest trading company, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation in carbon fiber recycling and circular economy projects.
Posco International will support Catack-H in securing post-production and end-of-life (EOL) carbon fiber raw materials (scraps) and in promoting global export of Catack-H’s milled carbon fiber and nonwoven fabrics.
Catack-H uses its own chemical decomposition-based technology to recover carbon fibers from post-production and EOL composites. Operating under very mild conditions such as low temperatures and ambient pressure, the process reduces energy consumption by more than 85% compared to virgin carbon fiber. The recovered fibers maintain over 95% of their mechanical properties and have no residues on their surface, resulting in high-quality recycled carbon fibers (rCF).
The company says the solvolysis technology is attracting attention as a model case for a circular economy that “converts waste into high-performance resources” by recovering not only the carbon fibers but also the epoxy resin.
Posco International, recognizing Catack-H’s technological advancements and business potential, has already provided two rounds of financial support through its Mutual Growth Fund. Leveraging its global network and trading capabilities, Posco International will support Catack-H’s export of recycled carbon fiber products and overseas expansion. This will help Catack-H achieve rapid growth in the global B2B market, while Posco International strengthens its portfolio of new business areas focused on eco-friendly and advanced materials.
While performing almost at virgin fiber levels, the selling price of Catack-H’s rCF-products is less than 50% compared to virgin fiber. The intermediate and finished products are used in various industries such as automotive, sporting goods, construction, etc. Both companies will also work together on expanding the scope of application.
“The collaboration with Posco International is an important turning point for Catack-H to show our technological expertise in the global market,” says Jin-ho Jeong, CEO of Catack-H. “We will expand the circular economy model centered on recovered carbon fiber to supply high-value-added products to industries such as aerospace, automotive and construction.”
Read more about Catack-H’s growth ambitions in “South Korean carbon fiber recycling start-up scales up.”
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