The document discusses the challenges and benefits of recycling composite materials, particularly carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP). It highlights the significant waste generated in the UK, the need for recycling practices driven by environmental and legislative factors, and various recycling processes. Additionally, it addresses challenges such as the development of new products from recycled materials and the necessity of establishing a viable recycling supply chain.

1. This project is co-funded
by the European Union
RNLI Lifeboat Decommissioning Challenge
Recycling Composites
Stella Job
Supply Chain & Environment Officer, Composites UK

2. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
The nature of composites
• Composite: better than the sum of its
constituents
• Thermoset: cross-linked
• > stiffness, strength, environmental
durability
• > difficult to recycle
• Intractable by design

3. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Estimated waste volumes in UK
• CFRP maybe 1,000 to 2,000 tonnes / yr
mfg waste, still little EOL
• GRP ~15,000 tonnes mfg waste,
perhaps 50,000 tonnes EOL
• Compares to up to 4.3 M tonnes total
plastics waste
• Some of CFRP is recycled, almost none
of GFRP

4. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Why recycle?
• Keep the value / energy
• Landfill costs
• Legislation
• Corporate image
• Life cycle awareness
Embodied energies of common composite
constituent materials and 2 common metals
(Song et al., 2009)
Material Embodied energy
(MJ/kg)
Carbon fibre 183 to 286
Glass fibre 13 to 32
Polyester resin 63 to 78
Epoxy resin 76 to 80
Aluminium alloys 196 to 257
Stainless steel 110 to 210

5. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Recycling processes
• Thermal: Pyrolysis / Fluidised bed
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Combustion (recovery and cement kiln)
Photo courtesy of Filon Products Ltd

6. Table1:Commercialcompositesrecyclingservicesforcarbonfibrereinforcedplastic(CFRP)andglassfibre
reinforcedplastic(GRP).©ReinforcedPlastics2014.Usedwithpermission.

7. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Challenges
• Development of new products using recycled fibres
• New processes to gain higher value from the waste
economically
• Standards, specifications and conservatism
• Need to know provenance / content of materials
• Low profit margins
• For GRP, recycling supply chain needs to develop
Wave
Angela Connor, Dublin

8. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Ideas?
Utility pole base
Photo GCRS Ltd
Under floor vent from
Hambleside Danelaw
Photo Stella Job
Level crossing panels
Photo Reprocover
These products
contain
recycled GRP

9. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Ideas?
$1,299 for two!
These products
could contain
recycled GRP

10. Knowledge | Support | Network | Growth
www.compositesuk.co.uk | info@compositesuk.co.uk
Any questions?
Photo
courtesy of
ELG Carbon
Fibre
Stella Job
Supply Chain and Environmental Officer
stella@compositesuk.co.uk