TAGS: Green and Bioplastics Thermoplastic Composites
Aerocircular and ELG Carbon Fibre join forces in establishing a closed-loop recycling scheme for End-of-Life aircraft CFRP waste streams, having signed a Memorandum of Understanding between both companies. A closed-loop recycling scheme implies a shift from carbon fiber as disposing waste towards a material that can be used for recovery and reproduction.
Joint Approach for Closed Loop Recycling
Composite EoL fractions are shredded and burned or landfilled. By joining forces with ELG Carbon Fiber the ambition is to establish a closed-loop recycling process of EoL aircraft carbon composite material stream, maximizing value via a joint approach in further developing the recycling process and new product development using this reclaimed carbon fiber.
Stein Janssens, Director R&D adds,
“The cooperation with ELG will allow a robust, economically viable recycling flow with impact on industrial scale. Doing so, every ton of carbon fiber from the aircraft we process to new material, saves 20 ton of GWP CO2eq. at only 1/10th of the energy required compared to producing virgin carbon fiber”.
Recycling post-industrial waste from aircraft manufacturing activities has demonstrated the economic, technical and environmental benefits that this new class of materials can deliver.
“By working with Aerocircular and expanding our activities into post-consumer waste from end-of-life aircraft, we are preparing to address the challenge that will be faced when carbon fiber intensive structures reach the end of their lives. This is an important step in ensuring that the carbon fiber composites industry plays its part in meeting the environmental challenges we all face,” said Frazer Barnes, managing director of ELGCF.
Source: Aerocircular