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Low-Cost Recycled Carbon Fiber

A closed loop, post-industrial fiber recovery process to make low-cost recycled carbon fiber

May 2021

Low-Cost Recycled Carbon Fiber

A closed loop, post-industrial fiber recovery process to make low-cost recycled carbon fiber

  • World Alliance Member
  • Featured Solution
  • Labelled Solution
Label Date May 3, 2021
By Vartega
From United States
Maturity stage TRL 9 / CRI 3-4 - Commercial Scale Up / Multiple commercial Applications

The solution is a low-cost grade of carbon fiber obtained via a patented recycling process. This grade has mechanical properties similar to virgin carbon fiber. The recycled fibers are used in broad-ranging formats including nonwoven fabrics, thermoplastic pellets, and 3D printing filaments for applications in automotive, sporting goods, and musical instruments. This recycling process addresses the 30% of carbon fiber that is currently being landfilled as post-industrial manufacturing scrap. Via a novel chemistry-based process, Vartega is able to separate carbon fiber reinforcement from its plastic binder. Vartega then processes the fiber to make it easy to feed into traditional thermoplastic extrusion equipment. This enabling technology is solving a composites value chain problem by recovering a captive supply in the waste stream to meet an unmet demand for low-cost carbon fiber downstream.

The Environmental Benefits

  • 1 ton of recycled carbon fiber used in vehicle lightweight applications reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 47.67 tons
  • The embodied energy of Vartega's recycled carbon fiber is 96% less than virgin carbon fiber
  • Diverting 30% carbon fiber scrap waste from landfill

The Financial Benefits

  • The solution delivers 50% materials cost savings
  • 3 year payback for on-site Hardware-as-a-Service installation

Target client profile

Activity Region

  • Headquarters
  • Activity

Company Profile

Vartega

Vartega is making carbon fiber more accessible to more industries.

Headquarters Arvada, CO 80403, USA
Type Startup or self-employed
View company profile Solution website

Networking Partner

Cleantech Open

Cleantech Open and the Solar Impulse Foundation, through its World Alliance for Efficient Solutions, have established a synergistic collaboration with the goal of expediting the impact of clean and efficient technologies from all sectors of industry.

Solutions Associated 12
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The information set out above, is solely for the purposes of information and the Solar Impulse Foundation does not provide any guarantee as to its authenticity, completeness or accuracy. This information does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy into, transact or to enter into any agreement with any of the parties or persons mentioned above. Potential investors or interested parties are solely responsible for their investment or business decisions and for performing any due diligence required by the circumstances. The innovator Vartega has asserted ownership of the intellectual property rights for images, videos, and content showcased above, affirming full and unrestricted usage rights, and has provided explicit permission for the Solar Impulse Foundation to publish such information designated as "public" in the application form.