Global Recycling Day, composite materials industry earns its place in circular economy

In the composites industry it is a topic that has frequently been the target of bitter rows, as is often the case on topics for which people hold unequivocal opinions. And yet at this time, it seems that for the vast majority of manufacturers and especially players in the composite materials sector, it is no longer up for debate. The issue—since it is an issue—is being taken seriously. Today, the entire value chain is aware of what’s at stake and is getting to grips with it.

Composite materials industry, as a “young” industry, has an opportunity to show its maturity starting with discussions around the widely-recognised Life Cycle Assessment methodology for calculating the environmental impact of products, it then moves through a series of analyses and case studies presenting the Circular Economy approach and ranging from raw materials (including bio-based) to industrial components.

Discover hereunder the latest news published on JEC Website regarding this topic. More news are available online.

Avient launches long fiber composites based on nylon reclaimed from end-of-life fishing nets

Avient announced the commercial availability of Complēt™ R long fiber-reinforced composites, which incorporate post-consumer recycled nylon 6 material reclaimed from end-of-life fishing nets. Creating a positive environmental impact by reducing ocean-bound plastic waste, Complēt R nylon 6 long fiber composites can help OEMs to meet their goals for using materials containing recycled content. Potential markets contain those whose products involve structural applications often deployed in demanding environments. Examples include lighter-weight adventure gear for outdoor recreation, next-generation vehicles that go further using fewer energy resources, and recycled-content office furnishings that contribute towards LEED certification for buildings.
More information: www.avient.com

Extracthive presents an innovative recycling technology for carbon fibre-reinforced polymers at JEC World 2022

Since 2016, Extracthive has been developing an innovative recycling technology named PHYre® based on solvolysis for carbon fibre-reinforced polymers. In this approach, a unique combination of solvent and catalyst allows for the depolymerisation of the resin at moderate temperature and pressure, thereby releasing clean and undamaged fibres. The PHYre® recycling technology offers a sound alternative to current recycling solutions. In addition, the recovered carbon fibres feature high mechanical and surface properties, so they can be used as a substitute for virgin carbon fibres. Last but not least, this technology has a very limited environmental impact, offering recycled carbon fibres with a CO₂ footprint ten times lower than virgin fibre.
More information: www.extracthive-industry.com

Four expertly curated conferences on sustainability will be organised at JEC World 2022

Under the theme of “Composites for a Sustainable World”, JEC World 2022 will offer a unique forum for the global academic, business and end-user communities to engage in fruitful knowledge sharing, networking and innovation focused on improving sustainability throughout the product lifecycle. Discover how composites are leading to the creation of higher performing, more cost-effective designs with lower environmental impact to satisfy the complex technical, economic and sustainability demands of existing, and emerging, markets. We will showcase all the latest value chain strategies to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in line with circular economy goals, and highlight how the composites community is seizing the opportunity to Rethink the way we do things now and direct Research into new and better solutions.
More information: www.jec-world.events

Teijin to partner with Fuji Design in carbon fiber recycling

Teijin Limited announced that it has agreed to form a business alliance with Fuji Design Co., Ltd., a Japanese manufacturer of recycled carbon fibers to establish a business structure for the production, supply and commercialization of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) products made from recycled carbon fibers using a low environmental impact process. Fuji Design’s proprietary “precision pyrolysis” technology produces high-quality carbon fibers from used CFRP by removing matrix resins. As a green technology, it produces some 90% fewer CO2 emissions than carbon fibers produced with virgin raw materials. Fuji Design, which is operating a commercial plant partially subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, has been looking to expand the business by developing new applications for its technology.
More information: www.teijin.com

Armacell’s new PET-based insulation for energy-efficient construction

Armacell, a global leader in flexible foam for the equipment insulation market and a leading provider of engineered foams, today announced the official launch of ArmaPET Eco50, the company’s new solution for the structural insulation of building envelopes, roofs and floors, as well as for load-bearing applications such as under-slab insulation, both in the construction of new buildings and renovation of older ones. ArmaPET Eco50 is the first polymeric insulation based on 100% recycled PET, combining an outstanding environmental profile with the stringent requirements of building construction. As part of the ArmaPET Eco range, this low-density product solution is optimised for energy-efficient structural applications. It improves life-cycle costs and a building’s carbon footprint in combination with a multitude of further benefits, ranging from mechanical stability and low maintenance requirements to standard-compliant fire behaviour and assured lifetime insulation performance.
More information: www.armapet.com

Discover the 2021 Composites Sustainability Report

JEC Group in collaboration with EuCIA has published the first edition of the Composites Sustainability report 2021.
This report seeks to give highlights about the part composite materials are playing in creating the sustainable European economy of the future. Starting with discussions around the widely-recognised Life Cycle Assessment methodology for calculating the environmental impact of products, it then moves through a series of analyses and case studies presenting the Circular Economy ap­proach and ranging from raw materials (including bio-based) to industrial components.
More information: www.jeccomposites.com

Covestro supports circular material solutions for smartphones

Covestro is collaborating with Fairphone, a Dutch social enterprise building a market for ethical smartphones, on the use of circular material solutions for its smartphones. Fully and partly recycled thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) are used in the protective case of the Fairphone 3 and its successor, the Fairphone 4, and partly recycled polycarbonates are additionally used in the newer device. Products from Covestro’s post-consumer recycled (PCR) polycarbonate portfolio are used in the Fairphone 4’s rear device cover, middle frame and wireless charger. With a PCR content of 30 to 50 percent, this Makrolon® portfolio has physical properties comparable to virgin material and offers good impact strength, balanced flow behavior, and high stiffness and flame retardancy to ensure a long service life while reducing CO₂ emissions by 30 percent compared to virgin material.
More information: www.covestro.com

NCC and Skanska trial low carbon concrete

An industry-first low carbon reinforced concrete solution is being trialled on National Highways M42 Junction 6 improvement scheme. The £282m project – designed to alleviate congestion for motorists at a well-known bottleneck in the Midlands – is trialling the use of low carbon concrete and basalt fibre reinforcement on a temporary haul road for construction vehicles. Malcolm Newton, Director at Basalt Technologies explains why their basalt fibre reinforcement is being trialled as an alternative to steel: “Basalt is a lightweight composite material consuming 62 per cent less CO₂e than steel during its manufacture. It comprises a non-metallic inert material that does not corrode, making it more durable than steel. Basalt Fibre reinforcement is also 4 to 5 times lighter than steel, making it safer to handle, fix and transport with fewer lorry movements.”
More information: www.nccuk.com

Cobat Compositi, a new player in composites recycling

Cobat aims to create a virtuous circle by reducing waste and generating new raw materials in a circular economy perspective. Part of the Cobat platform, Cobat Compositi is a new national voluntary consortium for the correct collection, treatment and recovery of waste of composite materials consisting of glass and carbon fiber, both from end-of-life products and from production and processing waste. Through its partners, Cobat Compositi can perform on-site compaction aimed at the transport, treatment and recovery of composite products, in order to eliminate landfilling. It offers as well management services for other materials associated with the disposal of composites, environmental consultancy and training courses.
More information: www.cobatcompositi.it

Teijin Aramid and Clariter develop a carbon neutral solution for recycling of Endumax

For over twenty years, Teijin Aramid has been recycling Twaron® fibres in its own recycling facilities. In her quest to zero emission Teijin Aramid joined forces with Clariter and pioneered a sustainable solution in chemical advanced recycling for Endumax® an Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE). Together these environmental conscious companies are developing a sustainable disposal method for highly valuable, post-production and end of life material that is hard to recycle mechanically. Tests of Teijin Aramid’s Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (Endumax^®), feedstock were carried out at Clariter’s operational Pilot Plant in Gliwice, Poland. The results determined that samples of fishing nets, ropes and air cargo containers are indeed suitable for chemical recycling. High resistance UHMW-PE, which was once problematic to recycle, has been now successfully upcycled into feedstock as pure, crude-free industrial products with thousands of applications such as cleaning agents, degreasers, paints, and speciality wax. For some markets, like fishing nets this results in full circularity as the wax can be used to coat fishing nets again, in other markets this open loop recycling leads to valuable products that can either serve in production processes or in other applications.
More information: www.teijinaramid.com

Formosa Plastics partners with CATACK-H for CFRP recycling solution

Formosa Plastics Corporation (FPC) partners with CATACK-H, a South-Korea based start-up recycler of carbon fiber composite for offering clients the total solution from virgin CF, waste recycling to recycled CF. The collaboration is a part of FPC’s sustainable strategy and will further advance to the realization of a recycling-based society. Collaborating with CATACK-H, carbon fiber composite waste could be sourced from FPC’s factory and clients, and converted into a wide range of recycled products via CATACK-H’s patented process. However, demand for recycled products is high due to the value of corporate social responsibility. More clients and consumers are looking for sustainable materials for innovative application. It will boost the growing market for recycled carbon fiber in the coming future.
More information: www.fpcusa.com

Arkema and Brunswick Corporation focus on sustainability to develop fully recyclable fiberglass boat

Arkema and Brunswick Corporation have expanded their partnership to develop a fully recyclable fiberglass boat that integrates Arkema’s Elium® liquid thermoplastic resin on all the vessel’s composite parts, core and adhesives. The project is part of Brunswick’s enterprise-wide sustainability program and is expected to allow for hull and structural components to be fully recycled at end of life and reintroduced into production processes, reducing the amount of disposable material and sourcing of virgin raw materials. The first prototype is expected to be displayed at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, and will be developed in conjunction with Boston Whaler, leveraging the brand’s unique construction to validate the technology.
More information: www.arkema.com