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What is the environmental impact of Fairmat recycling technology?

Fairmat has conducted a simplified LCA. While this is not a certified assessment, a simplified LCA gives estimates of a product’s environmental footprint. Based on the results of the simplified LCA, Fairmat’s recycling technology has a much lower impact on climate change than thermal recycling (pyrolysis). This reduced impact is mostly due to Fairmat’s low energy consumption.

What is the environmental impact of FAIRMAT vs other materials?

Fairmat has conducted a simplified LCA. While this is not a certified one, a simplified LCA gives estimates of a product’s environmental footprint. Based on the results of the simplified LCA, Fairmat laminates have a lower environmental load than virgin CFRP. Fairmat Laminates offer a lighter and lower-impact solution than thermal recycled carbon fibre and glass fibre.

Has Fairmat conducted an LCA?

A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology used to assess the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life. LCAs can be used comparatively to assess different product or service design options, or to identify environmental hotspots in the lifecycle. Fairmat has conducted a simplified LCA to allow us to evaluate our process more quickly in the first instance.

Does Fairmat pay for the waste they use in production?

No. 95% of carbon fiber composites are now landfilled or incinerated. Fairmat offers a more environmentally-friendly alternative to these services provided by large waste recovery companies. Like them, we provide a commercial solution adapted to the needs of our customers while guaranteeing a real ecological advantage.

Where do the wastes come from?

The waste comes from various industries that use carbon fiber composites, such as aeronautics or wind power. Composites can be recovered at various stages of their life (scrap, end-of-life products).

What types of waste does Fairmat recycle?

Fairmat is developing a recycling solution for carbon fiber and polymer matrix composites. We accept CFRP in the form of prepreg, pultruded, or woven – whether they are expired, at the end of their life, or simply in the form of production scrap. We managed to explore new sources of waste coming from the dismantling of aircraft parts.

Is the Fairmat material recyclable?

Yes, the material is recyclable.

Can the Fairmat material be used outdoors?

Yes, our special resin means Fairmat materials are extremely durable.

What is the performance rating of the Fairmat materials? Is it identical to a new carbon composite?

The Fairmat process can achieve a variety of performance ratings depending on the orientation and arrangement of the reinforcement. Typically, for exposure in a single direction of space, the material exhibits a flexural modulus of 81 GPa, higher than aluminum. At this stage of development, Fairmat’s technology makes it possible to retain at least 55% of the performance of a new carbon composite. We are currently working to achieve a value of 75%. For more information, refer to the product datasheet.

What is EC 1907/2006?

It is the European Union Regulation (EC) governing the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) that Fairmat products comply with. Our material contains no more than 0.1% by mass of substances of very high concern (SVHC) listed in Annex XIV.

What is the weight of the material?

The material’s weight will depend on its thickness. However, its low density (1.38) makes it lighter than other materials, such as aluminum, at equivalent thickness. For more information, refer to the material datasheet.

How thick is the Fairmat material?

The Fairmat material is available in several thicknesses. The minimum thickness available is 1 mm, and the maximum thickness is 20 mm. It is possible to supply thicker parts on small parts.

What is the shape of Fairmat recycled material?

It mainly has the form of rectangular plates (laminated). And it can also take the form of a complex shape through a molding process.

Does the product / material need to be heated to form a laminate?

Molding parameters will depend on the resin used. We favor resins that can be molded cold, but some properties are dependent on an increase in temperature.

What type of resin do you use?

Depending on the application and the expected properties/characteristics, it is possible to use different matrices, thermoset or thermoplastic. For example, an epoxy resin will provide good mechanical properties and good resistance to moisture and chemicals.

What is your mixture (coating)?

We offer a recycled composite material, and this implies several things:

– We need to add a small amount of new resin to fit our new composite for a particular industry.
– We need to guarantee the high performance of our material according to various properties (strength, flexibility, lightness, etc.).

Artificial Intelligence and machine science allow us to obtain the required characteristics and achieve an output without variation and with superior results. For reasons of commercial sensitivity, we don’t divulge the details of our proprietary process or product formulations.

What is your cutting technique for the carbon fiber composite?

Our automated cutting process allows us to standardize our compounds. We do not shred. We use a smart, low-energy process that helps maintain the integrity and the effectiveness of the fiber length. We keep the original resin and carbon fiber together in these compounds.

What is your technical recycling process?

The Fairmat process has four main steps, each of which involves robotics and machine learning programs that allow for an automated, intelligent process that is more efficient and, above all, guarantees a precise output:

  • Creation of compounds from composite waste.
  • Coating with a small portion of resin that will form the new matrix.
  • Molding according to the format selected
  • Hardening.