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Composite materials are engineered combinations of two or more distinct materials, merging their individual properties to create a new material with enhanced characteristics. Typically composed of a reinforcing phase (like fibers or particles) embedded within a matrix (often a polymer, metal, or ceramic), composites leverage the strengths of each component to achieve superior strength, stiffness, lightness, or other desirable attributes. Their versatility extends across industries, from aerospace and automotive to construction and sports equipment, where their tailored design and exceptional properties offer solutions for high-performance applications.

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.

Westlake customers will have connections to Alpha’s expanded recycling capacity and support for rCF material integration in new forms, applications.

NAFILean materials family blends low-carbon recycled plastics and renewable post-consumer sources like hemp fibers to provide a sustainable, visually appealing solution for automotive parts.

Six universities, such as the University of Southern Queensland and its iLAuNCH program, are accelerating research to commercialization across defense, space, recycling and other key sectors.

Herambiente recycling facility in Italy and Angeloni’s composites expertise will build a circular system between customer, manufacturer and recycler and further explore rCF opportunities.

CW technical editor Hannah Mason shares sustainability-focused composites trade show highlights featuring maturation, scale-up, new partnerships, and new technologies in biomaterials and recycling. 

Project led by the IRT Jules Verne and supported by Compositec, Stellantis, IMT Nord Europe and CMO seeks to develop composites with a low CO₂ footprint and recycled material incorporation.

The off-road robot is suited for military logistics, search and rescue, precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection and more.

Testing results after recycling of nlcomp’s thermoplastic composite using Composite Recycling’s thermolysis-based process validates each technology’s potential for high-value composite output.

Operations are set to ramp up the company’s first industrial-scale recycling unit in France, made for processing up to 2 tonnes of composite waste per day.

HRC is addressing the management and repurposing of composites waste for automotive, aerospace and other industries.