The Circular Economy Paradigm
Composites are used in everything from wind turbine blades and automotive components to residential and commercial building materials and marine vessels. Whether post-industrial, post-consumer, or other end of life material waste streams, landfill no longer needs to be an option. Carbon Rivers has successfully proven out an ESG upcycled glass fiber circular economy for every composite industry sector. To supplement virgin sources of material with rGF having far less emissions and carbon credits, and to ensure domestic availability for a rGF intermediate circular economy for manufacturing, it is critical that industries establish a material responsibility for reusing the end of life materials for perpetual lifecycles. Not only does Carbon Rivers glass fiber recovery technology have a global impact in many industries, but also significant job creation, community STEM programs, and a large business network are all benefitted by Carbon Rivers Glass to Glass in many global communities.
Composites Recycling
What is a composite?
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Plastics are inexpensive, lightweight, easily formable materials widely used for manufacturing.
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However, these materials possess comparatively low mechanical properties limiting high-end applications.
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A combination of polymers with performance fibers (e.g., glass, carbon) are used to enhance mechanical properties for next-generation thermoplastics and thermosets.
Most composites are made with fiberglass and thermosets (e.g., epoxy) that cannot be readily remolded.
These resilient materials are readily used in aerospace, building materials, and the wind energy sector; however, they are also difficult and expensive to break down at end of life.
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Industrial consumers need a recycling method that can output high-value materials economically that can provide a circular recovery and reuse of fiberglass composites.
Glass to Glass Reclamation Technology
Glass Fiber Reclamation
Wind turbine blades are made from non-recyclable polymers strengthened by glass fibers. As a result, these structures are unfortunately relegated to landfills following retirement. This presents a major obstacle for wind energy to be truly sustainable. Our technology offers an attractive, facile method for responsibly re-using these materials at what normally would be their end of life. Glass to Glass can give these materials a chance to be reborn into sustainable, recyclable composites.
Receive Blade Waste (Tipping)
Receive bulk waste fiberglass composite (e.g. retired wind turbine blades, boat hulls, automotive panels)
Pre-Sort and Shred Material
Cutting and shredding for further reduction of blades to produce optimal pyrolysis feedstock.
Multi-Stage Pyrolysis
Multi-stage pyrolysis process to fully remove polymer, char, and other fillers from the glass fibers to restore fiber properties to virgin-like values.
Production of Composite Intermediates
Convert reclaimed glass fiber into desired polymer composites intermediates. Then the rGF pellets or intermediates are used to produce next-generation products again.
ESG Pyrolysis Crude Oil
Our pyrolysis oil can be utilized as an alternative fuel source or precursor for next generation polymers, providing the oil and chemical industry a more sustainable and circular option.