The Benefits and Challenges of Recycling Carbon Fiber

The automotive, aerospace, and sporting goods industries are examples of companies that have embraced the use of carbon fiber in their products. With lighter parts, vehicles become more fuel efficient, which is a benefit for environmental sustainability. However, all manufactured products leave a footprint. The carbon fiber industry is continually working to grow the benefits of recycling carbon fiber while addressing the challenges it brings.

While carbon fiber is known for its strength and durability, every material can break down with enough stress and time. Potentially 30% of manufactured carbon fiber ends up as a carbon fiber waste product. To make carbon fiber more sustainable and affordable, finding methods to reuse this waste or reduce waste production is crucial. Resin locked carbon fiber requires a chemical process to release the fiber to create another opportunity for use. But when the fiber is recycled, additional resin waste is created.

Recycling carbon fiber efficiently relies on maximizing the process by reducing the time and energy required to recycle it. Recycling carbon fiber is most effective when done during the regular production process, when it is most likely to save time and costs. Some companies are developing resins that can also be reused once the carbon fiber has been released. To make recycling carbon fiber beneficial, there has to be a use for the “new” product. Recycled carbon fiber retains its strength and durability but isn’t woven into traditional carbon fiber sheets due to the change in its density. The recycled product is ideal for use as pellets for molding and for 3D objects.

Increasing the sustainability and affordability of carbon fiber means addressing the creation of waste during the process. As carbon fiber’s popularity grows, so will the resourcefulness and ingenuity behind the industry’s efforts to provide lasting solutions to their recycling efforts.

If you would like to learn more about the applications of carbon fiber or shop for carbon fiber products, contact Carbon Fiber Support today!