Not all materials are equal when it comes to recycling. Most end-of-life composites are landfilled or incinerated. It is estimated that Europe will generate 683,000 tons of composite waste in 2025. At the same time, the global recycling capacity is currently under 100,000 tons.
Developing sustainable circular approaches for composite materials remains challenging, but there are hidden opportunities for innovative companies.
My guest this week is Johanna Reiland. She is a textile engineer, innovation consultant, and circular economy expert based out of Barcelona, where she works for Bax & Company, a leading European sustainable innovation agency.
Johanna has published several thought pieces on the future of lightweight materials as well as the circularity of composites. Most recently, she co-authored the Circular Economy Blueprint alongside aerospace giant Leonardo.
You can access the digital blueprint Composite Materials: A Hidden Opportunity for the Circular Economy by visiting https://www.csreurope.org/download-blueprint-composite-materials.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
