Component reuse strategy (CRS) for continuous reinforced thermo-sets enabling circular economy

Abstract

A circular economy, effective technologies for the recycling and reuse of fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) are essential to keep these materials attractive for use in various products against the backdrop of stricter environmental regulations. This paper provides an overview of the current state of the art in the recycling and reuse of end-of-life (EOL) fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) products. A significant proportion of EOL FRP products are thermally recycled or used as fillers in the cement industry. Complementary to the existing approaches of structural reuse of FRP is presented in this paper as component reuse strategies (CRS). Both approaches avoid separation or destruction (downgrading) of the composite materials. An application example for the reuse of a carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) base frame of an electric vehicle platform is given and analyzed with respect to known design for reuse approaches. The proposed CRS has great potential to complement existing approaches and slow down resource consumption. In addition, extended service life can make CFRP materials more economically attractive. However, further developments are needed as well as the transfer of the principle to other applications.