𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘆: 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗥𝗲-𝗨𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 ♻️
On the 5th of November, we hosted our ‘Let’s Start Re-Using Recycled Thermoplastic Composites’ event at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus. We would like to thank especially the participants that made their way to our facilities.
From the start a lively discussion took place fueled by five “context setting” presentations. Navied Tavakolly challenged us to start innovating for a circular economy and Volker Mathes showed us that waste thermoplastic composites (TPC) are recyclable but not recycled! The key challenge consists of the lack of economically viable value chains. Tessa ten Cate presented a strategic approach from Brightlands Materials Center on recycling of TPC’s. René L. showed how Mitsui approaches the recycling potential of their TAFNEX™ material and Menno Hensbroek presented an inspiring portfolio of cases where Cato Composites has used recycled composites already.
In the afternoon, participants explored real recycling supply chains for specific use cases, such as padel rackets, children’s chairs, and office furniture. Challenges remain—like the absence of a waste code for composites and the need for large, combined waste streams to make recycling economically viable. Yet, promising opportunities are emerging, and with this proactive mindset, we concluded the event.
