Recycling in CW Articles, News and Products
CW's Latest Recycling Articles
VIDEO: Recycling and machining carbon fiber scraps
Jodee McElfresh | Additive Manufacturing and CompositesWorldElevated Materials has partnered with ‪Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. to collect and upcycle reclaimed carbon fiber scraps into large billet laminates, which can then be cut into various parts using CNC mills.
Airbus works to improve the life cycle of composites in future aircraft
Ginger Gardiner | CompositesWorldThis companion article to CW's September 2024 Airbus Illescas plant tour discusses recycling, LCA, biocomposites, Fast Track technologies, qualification and more.
JEC World 2024 highlights: Glass fiber recycling, biocomposites and more
Hannah Mason | CompositesWorldCW technical editor Hannah Mason discusses trends seen at this year’s JEC World trade show, including sustainability-focused technologies and commitments, the Paris Olympics amongst other topics.
Demonstrator project targets circularity solutions in carbon fiber composite sports equipment
Hannah Mason | CompositesWorldThe 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.
Repurposing wind blades as functional community art pieces
Hannah Mason | CompositesWorldOhio-based Canvus Inc. upcycles fiberglass wind blades, car tires and post-consumer plastics to create outdoor furniture that amplifies sustainability messages in community spaces.
Urban 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.
Recycling processes/materials in the news
Swedish parking garage to incorporate decommissioned wind blades
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldArchitect Jonas Lloyd is working with Vattenfall to design the multistory building with a wind blade façade, targeting eco-friendly buildings and creative ways to remove blades from landfills.
Melker of Sweden accomplishes sea kayak with 100% sustainable composite construction
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldBuilt with ampliTex flax fabrics, a solid cork core and plant-based resins, the company’s Värmdö kayak model highlights an environmentally conscious design for paddlers of all levels.
ECORES WIND builds on wind blade circularity initiatives
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldLatest Horizon Europe project seeks to introduce innovative circular resins combined with advanced disassembly strategies, enabling cost-effective blade decommissioning and material reuse.
VIBES project celebrates three years of EOL composites strategies
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldMembers have sought to resolve EOL thermoset challenges through development, demonstration of controlled separation and recovery of composites by means of customized, 100% bio-based bonding materials.
Thermolysis, BASF Taiwan present low-emission rCF/TPU materials development
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldAt a Taipei event focused on CO2 emissions reduction, design flexibility and zero-waste solutions, partners promoted recycled carbon fiber (rCF) and polyurethane composite technologies.
AOC rPET resins enable Quantum Mouldings composite pop-top camper van roofs
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldFeedstock-based resin formulations and high-quality Büfa gelcoats support flexible, durable and more sustainable automotive part processing.
Veolia, Composites Recycling SA partner for composites waste circularity
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldThree-phase project establishes, scales and launches operations of large-scale thermolysis-based recycling in western France.
Asahi Kasei, Aquafil develop 3D printing material combining cellulose nanofiber, recycled PA6
Hannah Mason | CompositesWorldAvailable as a pellet or filament, the material is said to exhibit formability and strength properties suitable for automotive and aerospace applications.
EU associations confirm potential of cement coprocessing for EOL composites
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldIndependent LCA report confirms the avoidance of up to 1 ton of CO2 emissions per ton of process GFRP, calls on policymakers to recognize, build a supply chain for this circular composites solution.
ZEBRA project demonstrates closed-loop wind recycling system
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldConsortium partners have proven the complete recycling of thermoplastic wind turbines via two manufactured wind blades, featuring reduced operating cost, CO2 emissions.
U.S. grant is awarded for patented SIP composites formwork system
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldConTech stay-in-place (SIP) technology, made from recycled composite materials, replaces the use of reinforcing steel in the construction of flat, elevated concrete surfaces.
Stratview Research releases carbon fiber recycling outlook report
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldStratview gives a commercial perspective on the challenges and opportunities present in the evolving carbon fiber recycling industry.
CompPair, Composite Recycling create recycled fiber roof scoop for Objectif Dunes rally buggy
Jessica PompiliCompPair and Composite Recycling introduce a roof scoop made of recycled fibers to an eco-efficient rally buggy, which channels airflow to the engine for optimal, sustainable performance.
U.S. DOE awards $3.6 million in final phase of wind turbine recycling project
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldSix U.S. companies have proven their recycling technologies for composites and rare earth elements, and will be supported for relevant scale demonstration and validation.
HRC, Airbus LSC launch aircraft dismantling, recycling project
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldThe first project is underway to recover carbon fiber used in an A330-200 aircraft, which will then be regenerated for other end uses by HRC.
Borealis fiberglass PP with 65% PCR applied in landmark automotive project
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldTogether with Plastivaloire and Stellantis, the new Peugeot 3008’s center console structure is being produced with Borealis’ Borcycle M GD3600SY material grade.
Composite Kape skateboard delivers durability, pop
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCollaborative effort between KraussMaffei and entrepreneur Peter Karacsonyi led to the Vanguard, an in-situ polymerized board comprising fiberglass sandwich composites with a recyclable polyamide.
Johns Manville highlights ongoing efforts in fiberglass recycling
Jessica PompiliJohns Manville spotlights its continuous efforts in glass fiber waste reduction and recycling no matter the location, advancing eco-friendly practices across composites operations.
Recycling materials products
NonWoven365 offers nonwovens, paper solutions portfolio targeting CMC, high-temp applications
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldStuttgart-based company offers carbon, metal and ceramic fiber-based papers and nonwovens in various areal weights and thicknesses, engineered for high-temperature, sustainable application requirements.
AOC presents complete range of rPET-based resin formulations
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCzech Republic facility takes post-consumer waste and converts it into high-quality formulations, such as the Synolite 4600 and 1112-G series, for composites manufacturing.
Formosa Plastics, TTRI collaborate to create rCF thermoplastics
Jessica PompiliNovel rCF-reinforced polycarbonate can be formed into complex shapes and recycled at its end of life.
Modular equipment achieve continuous, versatile composites processing
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCAMX 2024: IPCO highlights its novel precision scattering system designed to process recycled/reclaimed composite materials, as well as the multi-stage ThermoPress double-belt press.
Thermolysis rCF pellets meet high-stress environment application needs
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldTest results indicate that Thermolysis’ short fiber rCF pellets are comparable to or surpass virgin carbon fiber pellets in tensile and flexural strength, making them suitable for injection molding and 3D printing.
Fully recyclable sandwich panel targets aerospace cabin interiors
Jessica PompiliCAMX 2024: Diab introduces sandwich panels that combine its structural foam core Divinycell F and thermoplastic skins, designed to meet current challenges in sustainability, REACH compliancy and more.
Recycled carbon fiber bundles support circular supply chain goals
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCAMX 2024: Vartega is making carbon fiber more accessible to more industries through its fiber post-processing technology and EasyFeed Bundles.
Composites recycling innovations maintains material performance, quality
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCAMX 2024: Fairmat, through the presentation of its recycling technology capabilities and examples, highlights its commitment to develop high-performing and reliable composite materials.
Carbon Conversions offers 3D printing filament reinforced with rCF
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldDevelopment 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.
Fiber-reinforced 3D printing material brings sustainability, versatility
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldJEC 2024: Xenia Materials is unveiling Xegreen 23-C20-3DP, a 100% recycled PET-G carbon fiber-reinforced material grade for high-performance additive manufacturing.
Recyclable epoxy demonstrated for industry applications
Hannah Mason | CompositesWorldJEC World 2024: Swancor demonstrates its EzCiclo recyclable epoxy and recycling process in wind, sporting goods and automotive applications.
Swancor introduces eco-friendly epoxy hardener for PCB recyclability
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldThrough the use of EzCiclio low-dielectric epoxy hardener, PCB manufactures can make recyclable, reusable products for electronic applications.
Armacell improves rPET foam offerings with ArmaPET Struct GRX
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldStructural foam core entirely made from recycled plastic bottles imparts efficiency gains, cost optimization and a more sustainable outlook for sandwich structure production.
CompPair healable composites, recycled carbon fibers featured in ID Genève luxury watch
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldHealTech prepregs enable 400x faster regenerative properties for the new Circular C product, along with incorporation of industrial waste fibers for a sustainable touch.
ARIS introduces polymer-free ceramic composite
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldFireproof, lightweight ceramic material ALEC2 is highly sustainable, suitable for manufacturing a variety of aerospace products, as well as marine and other industries.
Recycled carbon veil designed to close carbon fiber lifecycle loop
CAMX 2023: Technical Fibre Products’ new nonwoven veil can be reused in composites, effectively closing the loop and providing a viable route for the recycling of fibers.
Complex recycled CFRTP parts demonstrate discontinuous fiber advantages
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldCAMX 2023: herone GmbH is showcasing a set of tubes, shafts and profiles, all of which demonstrate the feasibility of rCF discontinuous fibers molded into complex thermoplastic composite parts.
PRF Composite Materials launches Reepreg composite
Grace Nehls | CompositesWorldThe new sustainable prepreg material is made using recycled carbon fiber prepreg waste, is drapeable and can be easily handled.