Fraunhofer CCPE presents free webinar on composite materials circularity

How can lightweight design become more circular? What role are composites playing in this? And what developments in this field is the Fraunhofer Cluster Circular Plastics Economy (Fraunhofer CCPE, Oberhausen, Germany). Answers to these questions, and more information on the state of research in the recycling of lightweight materials awaits interested parties at the free online event “Fraunhofer CCPE compact – Materials for the Circular Economy in Efficient Lightweight Design,” on Oct. 19, 2023 from 2-4 p.m.

Lightweight design is one of the key levers to reducing the environmental footprint of products in mobile applications. Materials used in this context are often fiber-reinforced composites such as glass or carbon fiber. In addition, in the last decade, there has been a great deal of focus on multi-material construction, in which a wide variety of material classes are combined into a “composite” to maximize lightweighting potential.

However, end-of-life management, or the separation of these fiber-reinforced composites and material composites, has often been, and continues to be, neglected. The recent trend toward increased use of thermoplastic matrices is a sensible way forward, but recycling usually does not take into account the shortening of fiber length, which inevitably entails downcycling. In addition, suitable business models for taking back and sorting these products have not yet been established on the market. Consequently, there are still many challenges to be overcome for recycling.

How is Fraunhofer CCPE developing a response to these challenges? The institute implements the basic principles of fiber reinforcement and other lightweight design strategies in single-component systems or mono-material composites. The aim is to maximize the lightweight potential of a material and to combine different material morphologies from one plastic, such as fiber or foam, into recyclable lightweight materials. The focus is also on process development and near-series production of components made from these materials. In addition to the recyclability of the materials, the development of biogenic materials for this area of application forms another focus of Fraunhofer CCPE.

During this free October webinar, Fraunhofer CCPE compact will give participants insight into the current problems of recycling lightweight materials. In addition to latest developments in the field of mono-materials for lightweight applications, approaches to systematic and holistic product development for a circular economy will be presented and discussed.

Those interested can learn more about the event agenda and/or register here.