Page 182 - CW E-Magazine (6-5-2025)

Special Report

Trans forming sustainability in the composite industry

Rise of thermoset composites the critical challenge of non-recyclable NITIN METKAR,
hermoset composites have thermoplastic. By integrating unique General Manager - Marketing
revolutionized industries such as epoxy resins and curing agents with meti- Aditya Birla Advanced Materials
Tautomotive, aerospace, marine, culously engineered cleavage points at Email: nitin.metkar@adityabirla.com
and wind by offering unmatched cross-linking sites, Recyclamine enables
strength, lightweight properties, and the conversion of thermosets into thermo- allowing the recovery of carbon fi bre
corrosion resistance. These materials plastics through recycling process. This layers and aluminium edges.
have become indispensable in appli- allows the recovery and reuse of valuable
cations ranging from wind turbines to components such as carbon fi bre, glass Automotive components: light-weighting
aircraft structures, enhancing effi ciency fi bre, and epoxy matrices. meets recyclability
and durability. However, their wide- The automotive industry’s push for
spread adoption has also highlighted a Potential industries lightweight composites to improve fuel
critical challenge: the non-recyclability effi ciency has been hampered by recyc-
of thermoset composites. Wind energy: revolutionizing turbine ling challenges. Recyclamine-enabled
blade sustainability epoxy systems address this by allowing
Problem of non-recyclability The wind energy sector faces a criti- carbon fi bre-reinforced components to
Despite their numerous benefi ts, cal sustainability hurdle: over 43,000 be chemically recycled.
thermoset composites face a signifi cant wind turbine blades are expected to
drawback – they are non-recyclable. reach end-of-life annually by 2050, Sports equipment: reducing high-tech
The waste generated during manufac- with most destined for landfi lls. Tradi- waste
turing and at the end of their lifecycle tional blade materials – fi berglass-rein- High-performance sports equipment,
creates ecological and environmental forced epoxy resins – resist recycling from tennis rackets to bicycles, increa-
challenges. Current disposal methods due to their thermoset nature. Recy- singly relies on carbon fi bre composites.
such as landfi lling, pyrolysis, incinera- clamine-enabled epoxy systems allow Recyclamine technology enables the
tion, etc. are either not environmentally blades to be chemically disassembled, recovery of carbon fi bres and resins
friendly or are energy-intensive, failing recovering both the resin matrix and from retired gear.
to derive value from waste materials. reinforcing fi bres.
It does not only contribute to increas- CONCLUSION: Cross-industry synergies
ing landfi ll waste but also results in Surfboard manufacturing: pioneering and future directions
lost opportunities to recover valuable closed-loop production Recyclamine technology represents
materials like carbon fi bre and epoxy Surfboard production has long a paradigm shift in materials science, of-
matrices, thereby exacerbating environ- relied on fi berglass-reinforced epoxy fering scalable solutions to the thermoset
mental degradation. resins, generating waste during both recycling crisis. It not only addresses manu-
manufacturing and end-of-life stages. facturing and end-of-life waste but also
The non-recyclability of thermosets Recyclamine technology is transform- facilitates the reintegration of recycled
is particularly problematic because ing this niche industry through fully materials back into production ecosystems.
traditional recycling methods fail to recyclable composites. This innovation reduces environmental
address their inherent cross-linked struc- impact while promoting circularity in
ture, making them unsuitable for reuse Ski production: collaborative innova- material usage. It is setting a new bench-
and reintegration into production eco- tion for circularity mark for sustainability in the chemical
systems. This limitation underscores The ski industry’s reliance on industry, paving the way for cleaner pro-
the need for innovative solutions that carbon fi bre and fi berglass composites duction processes and a greener future.
can transform thermoset waste into has made recycling nearly impossible –
valuable resources. until now. A ski developed with Recy- The technology stands as a testa-
clamine-based resins, exemplifi es this ment to the power of innovation in
Introducing Recyclamine technology shift. The ski comprises 62% recycled transforming environmental challenges
Recyclamine technology is a ground- materials, including a recyclable ep- into opportunities for growth and
breaking innovation designed to address oxy matrix that dissolves in acid baths, sustainability.

182 Chemical Weekly May 6, 2025

Contents Index to Advertisers Index to Products Advertised