Project duration: 1 April 2017 – 30 September 2019

Objective

The goal of the project is the scaling up of the process for the recycled carbon fiber surface modification and thermoplastic compound manufacturing, thus leading to high performance eco-innovative composite materials. By the optimization of the RCF surface modification process and of the compounding process, carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics will be available for the automotive market, having properties similar to those of the virgin carbon fiber reinforced compounds, but with 75% fiber cost saving. The consequences will be a wider use of carbon fibers in automotive components, with a clear advantage in terms of automotive lightening.

The solution (technology)

The main environmental impact of the project is linked to the minimization of the pollution due to the carbon fiber manufacturing. The global carbon fibres demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 10%, reaching 89kton in 2020. About 30% of the manufactured carbon fibres becomes industrial scrap. Moreover, current methods for manufacturing new carbon fibres are very energy intensive, while producing Recycled Carbon Fibres (RCF) by pyrolysis requires only 1/10 of the energy as compared to new carbon fibres. The project will foster a massive use of recycled carbon fibers, providing a clear advantage in terms of reduction of landfill waste and CO2 emissions. Another important environmental impact is relevant to the significant contribute that will be provided to solve the impelling need to reduce the CO2 emissions of the vehicles. The vehicles weight reduction is an immediate way to reduce the CO2 emissions, letting the reduction of fuel consumption.

Partnership

  • Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l’Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), Italy (Lead Partner)
  • Centro di Ricerche Europeo di Tecnologie, Design e Materiali (CETMA), Italy
  • Centro Ricerche Fiat S.C.p.A. (CRF – C.R.F.), Italy
  • Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives, CEA (French Alternative  Energies and Atomic Energy Commission), France
  • SUEZ Groupe SAS, France
  • Universita del Salento – Dipartimento Ingegneria dell’Innovazione, Italy