June 18, 2025 –
Syensqo Advances Carbon Fiber Circular Economy Through Strategic Partnerships
AsiaMB – In a significant push for sustainable materials innovation, global materials leader Syensqo has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with French cleantech firm Fairmat to revolutionize carbon fiber recycling. The partnership focuses on transforming prepreg waste from Syensqo’s UK facilities into high-performance recycled materials through advanced recovery technologies.
This initiative marks Syensqo’s second major move in carbon fiber circularity this year, following its March partnership with North American recycling pioneer Vartega. The company has developed proprietary methods to convert manufacturing scrap into premium carbon fiber bundles for its ECHO specialty polymer line, particularly valuable for automotive structural components.
AsiaMB has learned that Syensqo’s Recycled Molding Compound (RMC) technology recently achieved a industry milestone through the BEMA project, producing the world’s first fully composite battery enclosure. This breakthrough demonstrates the viability of recycled carbon fiber in critical non-structural applications while supporting the transition to sustainable mobility solutions.
The environmental imperative for such innovations grows increasingly urgent. Industry data reveals approximately 30% of carbon fiber materials become waste during manufacturing processes, with aerospace and wind energy sectors alone generating tens of thousands of metric tons annually. Projections indicate these industries may produce over 500,000 metric tons of composite waste by 2035 without intervention.
Beyond its recycling partnerships, Syensqo is developing bio-based resin alternatives as part of a comprehensive circular economy strategy. These parallel initiatives address both industrial waste reduction and the growing demand for sustainable material solutions across automotive, electronics, and renewable energy sectors. Industry analysts suggest such multi-pronged approaches will become essential for materials companies navigating tightening environmental regulations and evolving customer expectations.