Sustainable High-Performance Polymer Composites: Advancements in Recycling and Reprocessing

Carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) are extensively used in aerospace and automotive industries due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. With global demand for CFRP tripling between 2010 and 2020, and projected to reach 200,000 tons by 2050, managing CFRP waste is becoming increasingly critical. Current recycling methods of existing composites include mechanical approaches (such as milling or grinding), thermal (pyrolysis), and chemical (solvolysis); however, these recycling techniques either destroy the fibers or alter the mechanical performance of the recycled composite material. The high cost of carbon fibers makes their recovery essential for both economic and environmental sustainability; this seminar aims to examine these challenges and highlight innovative approaches involving novel resins to enhance recyclability and reprocessability of CFRPs.