4 things to consider for sustainable composites manufacturing

The composites industry’s focus on sustainability is not new. What is new is the demand from customers of the composites industry — particularly OEMs — that their supply chains develop and implement sustainable business practices to help meet decarbonization goals.

• Who is succeeding in this?
• Where does a company begin?
• What are practical applications a company can pursue now?

A group of leading experts addressed these questions during “CW Tech Days: Sustainability” on April 17. Here’s a sample of what they covered and four things a company can consider when pursuing sustainability goals in composites manufacturing.

1. Incorporate sustainability into product development.

Understanding and defining sustainability in composites manufacturing is crucial as it influences material selection, production processes and end-of-life considerations, ultimately impacting the environmental footprint of a composite product.

Markus Beer offers definitions of sustainability in his Tech Days presentation, as well as a look at the driving forces of social, government and environmental concerns, and regulatory efforts. But what does a company do with those definitions and driving forces? Beer also discusses practical approaches, including life cycle analysis (LCA) of materials and products, as well as designing for sustainability. Watch this presentation now

2. Pursue efficient-to-use materials.

Just as important as a material’s sourcing and recyclability is its efficiency of use.

Current continuous fiber material formats can be expensive, provide poor drapability and are highly wasteful to use with few recycling options. Lourens Blok understands this and presents an alternative carbon fiber material during their presentation that enables the forming of complex shapes in a single operation.

3. Eco-design for sustainability.

Incorporating recycled materials into composites manufacturing reduces reliance on virgin resources, lowers production costs and minimizes waste.

Antoine de Turckheim explores the realm of eco-designing with recycled carbon fiber, sharing insights and strategies for incorporating advanced technology and recycled materials into new product development.

4. Seek out alternative materials.

Diversifying materials can not only alleviate supply chain issues, but are another avenue to reducing carbon emissions and pursuing opportunities for closed-loop recycling.

Three separate presenters during CW Tech Days explore the innovative materials with which they’re finding success. Corey Tyree looks at the conversion of plant-based feedstock into acrylonitrile, Ian Klein explores advancements in bio-based thermoset manufacturing and Joe Luttwak sheds light on the pivotal role of biomaterials in sustainable composites.

Sustainability throughout the composites industry supply chain takes many forms, including energy savings, waste reduction, bio-based materials use, recycling and more. Tackling each of these strategies requires varying levels of effort, investment and time. In almost all cases, sustainability has become a new, permanent and important part of composites manufacturing operations.

WATCH “CW Tech Days: Sustainability"