VTT, Centria University of Applied Sciences and Tampere University have established a joint initiative to boost the recyclability of multimaterial composites.
Composite materials are everywhere: from boats and windmill blades to abrasives and sporting goods. Despite their widespread use, there are currently no good options for recycling of composites.
CompoREC, a Business Finland-funded and VTT-coordinated project, will change the situation by developing technology for scalable and robust recovery and reuse of functional fillers from fibre reinforced composites and abrasive products.
Composites are crucial materials for society, but their end-of-life options are currently very limited. The recycling challenges arise from the nature of composites as they contain at least two integrated components: the matrix and the filler.
"The project will chemically recycle the matrix by depolymerization and utilize the fillers in second generation composites. Special focus will be on recycling methods that will maintain valuable fillers as intact as possible," says Erno Karjalainen, Senior Scientist at VTT.
The depolymerization of the matrix will produce materials for new resins or other added value applications. Two different depolymerization methodologies will be employed: solvolysis and pyrolysis. The techniques that are employed will depend on the matrix.
A wide variety of composites will be utilized in the project, ranging from abrasives to carbon fiber composites. The project is linked to the Mirka SHAPE Veturi ecosystem and is supported by companies throughout the value chain: Blaxar Oy, Baltic Yachts Oy, Nordpipe Composite Engineering Oy, Ekeri Oy, Mirka Oy, NG Nordic Finland Oy and Stena Recycling Oy. The Finnish Plastics Industries Federation is also part of the concortium.
Reducing the environmental burden of composites
The growing use of composites, especially in renewable energy and low-emission transport, creates major recycling challenges due to their complex end-of-life processing. Regulatory pressure and reduced tolerance for landfilling are accelerating the need for sustainable alternatives.
CompoREC project address these challenges by developing circular solutions that enable the reuse and chemical recycling of composite waste, including valuable materials from single-use products like coated abrasives. These innovations will support the creation of second-generation composites and new value chains from discarded materials.
"As regulations and customer expectations for circular economy grow, the CompoREC project aims to provide the missing solutions for the composite industry. The goal is to find a sustainable solution for a long-lasting material, that may be used generation after generation," points out Pamela Honga, Head of Quality and Sustainability at Baltic Yachts Oy.
Opportunities for Finnish industry
Finnish companies will benefit through access to new markets, sustainable industrial materials, and strengthened expertise and intellectual property in composite and abrasive waste recycling.
"It’s fantastic to finally get this research project off the ground! Now we can truly dive into the challenges of recyclability. I’m especially pleased that one of the project’s work packages focuses on identifying real-world applications for recovered materials," says Petra Härmälä, Technology Manager at Mirka Oy.
"Finding effective solutions for recycling is important - but even more crucial is ensuring that these valuable materials are put to meaningful, value-creating use. Only then can we truly close the loop and promote a resource-smart industrial future," Härmälä adds.
The project will generate societal and economic value by promoting environmental sustainability, creating jobs, and enhancing Finland’s competitiveness in global markets.
"Composite materials are shaping the future of sustainable construction – strong, lightweight, and built to last. But true sustainability begins when these advanced materials can also be recycled. By unlocking circular solutions for composites, we’re paving the way for a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand," says Daniel Asplund, Sustainability and Aftersales manager, Ekeri Oy.
Co-funded by Business Finland and three research institutions (VTT, Centria University of Applied Sciences, Tampere University), the CompoREC project will run between 2025 and 2027 with a total budget of EUR 1.3 million. The companies joining the project consortium (Blaxar Oy, Baltic Yachts Oy, Nordpipe Composite Engineering Oy, Ekeri Oy, Mirka Oy, NG Nordic Finland Oy and Stena Recycling Oy, Finnish Plastics Industries Federation) are representing the composite value chain including composite and abrasive production, end use, and waste handling.
