MC4 project to address European composites value chains

Source | MC4

MC4 — Multi-level Circular Process Chain for Carbon and Glass Fibre Composites — is a European partnership aiming to establish circular approaches for carbon and glass fiber composites. While these materials are highly valued in numerous technical applications, MC4 believes that European value chains need to be optimized on two levels: environmental and economical efficiencies.

The MC4 consortium cites that up to 40% of carbon and glass fiber is wasted during the production process, with 98% of the materials ending up in landfills at end of life. In addition to these environmental issues, MC4 is interested in positioning Europe so that its materials supply is less dependent on outside sources — currently 80% of its virgin carbon and glass fiber manufacturing is performed outside of Europe.

MC4 plans to tackle these issues through implementation of research and innovation actions, taking into account the specific needs of these two value chains by:

• Establishing a multilevel circular process for carbon and glass fiber composites, with processes developed for short-term and long-term impact
• Developing performant and economically realistic processes that are adapted to the specificities of the two value chains
• Giving to the European industry the means to master and own its patented manufacturing processes of recycled materials.

More specifically, MC4 will base the development of its novel recycling processes on chemical matrix/fiber separation for carbon fiber, and on a new type of resin for the direct reuse of glass fiber. As a result, and with the use of proper quality grading of the recycled material, MC4 anticipates process developments that reach a 60% recycling rate, and will ensure the ability to properly use the recycled materials in different applications.

To achieve its objectives, MC4 gathers 16 partners covering the whole value chains: process developers, material manufacturers and end users manufacturing the composite parts. MC4 will be achieved in March 2025.