Recycling technologies for thermoset composite materials—current status

The technologies for recycling thermoset composite materials are reviewed. Mechanical recycling techniques involve the use of grinding techniques to comminute the scrap material and produce recyclate products in different size ranges suitable for reuse as fillers or partial reinforcement in new composite material. Thermal recycling processes involve the use of heat to break the scrap composite down and a range of processes are described in which there are various degrees of energy and material recovery. The prospects for commercially successful composites recycling operations are considered and a new initiative within the European composites industry to stimulate recycling is described.