Composites Recycling
Recycling in composites manufacturing is an evolving endeavor aimed at addressing sustainability challenges. Unlike traditional materials, composites often pose recycling complexities due to their multi-component nature. However, innovative techniques are emerging to tackle this issue. Methods like pyrolysis, mechanical recycling, and chemical processes are being developed to efficiently recover valuable components from composite waste, such as fibers or matrix materials.
Latest Recycling Articles
VIEW ALLFairmat opens first U.S. industrial facility in Utah
Salt Lake City state-of-the-art facility and office will enable a high-tech closed-loop ecosystem to recycle and repurpose composites in the U.S.
Read MoreSustainable Infrastructure Systems creates fiber-reinforced post-consumer plastic structural panels
Australian composites manufacturer offers a scalable building solution, already established in a pedestrian bridge application, to tackle unprocessed soft plastics waste.
Read MoreExel Composites, Fairmat sign carbon fiber scrap repurpose deal
Exel material waste will go through Fairmat’s reconstitution process to produce second-generation CFRP chips, enabling a closed-loop ecosystem.
Read MoreAcciona to build wind blade recycling plant in Spain by 2025
Waste2Fiber facility will use a proprietary thermal method to separate wind blade materials for reuse and will have a processing capacity of 6,000 tons of material/year.
Read MoreUMaine researchers aim to recycle wind turbine blades as 3D printing material
With a DOE grant in hand, UMaine’s ASCC seeks to develop an approach to recycle shredded wind turbine blade material as a cost-effective reinforcement and filler for large-scale 3D printing.
Read MoreSwancor, Siemens Gamesa solidify recyclable wind blade partnership
Swancor will supply all recyclable resin to Siemens by 2026, contributing to RecylableBlade efforts.
Read MoreKnowledge Centers
The composites industry is increasingly recognizing the imperative of sustainability in its operations. As demand for lightweight and durable materials rises across various sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, and construction, there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with traditional composite manufacturing processes.
LEARN MORECW’s editors are tracking the latest trends and developments in tooling, from the basics to new developments. This collection, presented by Composites One, features four recent CW stories that detail a range of tooling technologies, processes and materials.
LEARN MORELatest Recycling News And Updates
HRC obtains GRS 4.0 certification for carbon-neutral carbon fiber products
Two rCF materials and two finished rCF products maintain more than 90% performance retention rate, earn Global Recycled Standard (GRS) recognition.
Read MoreCarbon Conversions offers 3D printing filament reinforced with rCF
Development of re-Evo TDR products that work on a majority of 3D printers is now an available option for companies sending in their carbon fiber waste.
Read MoreSwancor, Massload jointly develop 100% recycled bicycle bottle cage
A blend of recycled carbon fiber and PA6 pellets, the bicycle component will be commercialized in Q1 2024.
Read MoreFiber-reinforced 3D printing material brings sustainability, versatility
JEC 2024: Xenia Materials is unveiling Xegreen 23-C20-3DP, a 100% recycled PET-G carbon fiber-reinforced material grade for high-performance additive manufacturing.
Read MoreSecond EuReComp workshop explores technologies, strategies shaping composites recycling
The event, taking place April 24, 2024, is a convergence of theory, practice and networking for attendees interested in the advancement of composites.
Read MoreORNL develops dynamically crosslinked CFRP, enabling closed-loop recycling
At laboratory scale, functionalized CFRP thermosets can be “released” via heat or chemicals to reincarnate them back into their starting materials.
Read MoreFeatured Posts
Demonstrator project targets circularity solutions in carbon fiber composite sports equipment
The Carbon Fibre Circular Alliance (CFCA) brought together OEMs and technical partners to reclaim short carbon fibers from end-of-life sports equipment, realign into continuous prepreg tapes and remanufacture into new equipment.
WatchRepurposing wind blades as functional community art pieces
Ohio-based Canvus Inc. upcycles fiberglass wind blades, car tires and post-consumer plastics to create outdoor furniture that amplifies sustainability messages in community spaces.
WatchUrban furniture project demonstrates green potential for composite 3D printing and recycled materials
Large-format AM specialist Caracol and partners designed custom, 3D-printed outdoor furniture with glass fiber-reinforced recycled polypropylene, and conducted an LCA to evaluate and improve the process.
Read MoreVIDEO: Sustainable pressure vessel systems for heavy-duty vehicles
Automotive and filament winding experts at Voith Composites showcased their Type IV hydrogen storage tanks at JEC 2023. These 350-liter pressure vessels, manufactured with recycled carbon fiber, are primarily designed for heavy-duty vehicles.
WatchRecycling hydrogen tanks to produce automotive structural components
Voith Composites and partners develop recycling solutions for hydrogen storage tanks and manufacturing methods to produce automotive parts from the recycled materials.
Read MoreA new generation of PP foam core for lightweight truck trailers, RVs
Extruded PP (XPP) foam core offers lightweight, high-performance monomaterial panels that are easily recycled for truck flooring, sidewalls or cabinet/furnitureboards as the transportation industry seeks a replacement for plywood.
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