German metals recycler ELG Haniel has acquired the world’s first company that is commercially recycling carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) and the reclamation and reprocessing of carbon fibre.
It has bought Recycled Carbon Fibre, which pioneered the recycling of carbon fibre technology in 2009 when it opened its facility in the West Midlands.
In a statement, ELG Haniel said: “The acquisition of this young recycling company provides ELG with new growth potential in the rising market for composite materials. It enables ELG to implement a sustainable and ecological concept for the reclamation of carbon-fibre by means of its patent protected technology.
“The feedstock material is to a large extent waste from the manufacturing processes of CFRP, which previously had to be either incinerated or sent to landfill.
“The infrastructure which ELG has established in the market segments of stainless steel, titanium and superalloys, as well as ELG’s business relations within the aviation industry, will be the benchmark and the spearhead for the global development of this innovative business model.”
ELG, which also has a number of sites in the UK, will rebrand the company to become ELG Carbon Fibre and will be led by current managing director Stephen Line.
