Since April 2022, Techtera has been a partner in the MC4 project. This consortium of 16 European partners coordinated by Profactor has worked three years in research and innovation activities focused on circular manufacturing processes for composite materials made of glass or carbon fibre.
With a recycling rate of less than 2%, partly due to the complexity of the materials and finished products involved, this sector is actively seeking economically viable solutions to reduce its environmental impact.
Over the past three years, efforts have focused on the following processes:
- Reuse of carbon fibre prepreg composite production scraps, directly reintegrated into the production process;
- Construction of a micro pilot plant dedicated to the solvolysis recycling of carbon fibres-reinforced polymers;
- Mechanical recycling of glass fibre composites using larger-than-usual grind sizes, allowing for better retention of the materials’ technical properties;
- Use of a vitrimer resin that enables finished products containing glass fibre to be cut and reshaped, thus extending the material’s lifespan.
The economic and environmental benefits of these processes were validated through a life cycle assessment (LCA). Two additional processes were also improved: the spectroscopic sorting to identify matrix systems and direct end-of-life products to appropriate treatment methods, and the quality control of recycled carbon fibre fabrics using optical sensors and artificial intelligence for defect detection.
The research efforts were validated through the creation of pilot products:
- A leading edge rib for aircrafts using 100% carbon fibre prepreg production scraps;
- Leisure boatbuilding components (roof, sink, seat) using more than 80% carbon fibre from production scraps;
- A bus side-skirt and a public bench partially made from mechanically recycled parts of end-of-life buses;
- A kayak designed to be cut and reshaped at the end of its life, allowing the fibreglass composite to be reused for paddle manufacturing;
- Industrial pipe fittings incorporating recycled glass fibre composites.
Techtera’s network was particularly involved in this project. The company Chomarat contributed to the development of technical textiles using recycled carbon fibre (from production scraps. The research center Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA) focused on the recovery of an organic fraction generated during the solvolysis recycling process of carbon fibre composites, as well as on the development of a reformable vitrimer resin.
Scientific publications, datasets, and other public documents related to MC4 and its results are available on the project’s website: The final public deliverables, currently under validation by the European Commission, will be published shortly.
The project concluded on March 31, 2025, preceded by a final meeting and the presentation of the various demonstrators developed throughout the project, in the presence of representatives from the European Commission.
Contact: Robin ODDON – roddon@techtera.org
Funders
Our certifications
