Fairmat signed a new deal with Hexcel, Germany to fight carbon incineration in Europe

This new agreement allows Fairmat to extend its presence in Europe and support Hexcel in responsible management of its by-products from manufacturing composite materials for the aerospace industry. The sites involved are located in Stade, Germany. This collaboration will allow the processing of hundreds of tons of carbon fiber composite residues per year, thus significantly reducing carbon incineration in Europe.

The environmental impact of carbon incineration in Europe
According to the European Environment Agency, carbon incineration emits about 90 million tons of CO2 equivalent per year in Europe. In comparison, the total greenhouse gas emissions of the European Union amounted to about 3.9 billion tons of CO2 equivalent in 2020. Carbon incineration is, therefore, a major environmental issue, accounting for about 2.3% of Europe’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

By reducing carbon incineration, Fairmat and Hexcel are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. This collaboration will avoid several thousand tons of CO2 equivalent per year, thus contributing to a positive environmental impact. For example, by recycling 1,000 tons of carbon fiber, it is estimated that up to 10,000 tons of CO2 equivalent can be saved compared to producing virgin carbon fiber.

“We are once again delighted to extend our collaboration with Fairmat at our European sites in Germany. This strategic alliance reflects our shared commitment to sustainable innovation and the preservation of our environment. By working together, we are able to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations and create more efficient recycling solutions for carbon fiber composites used in the aerospace industry. We are confident that our partnership with Fairmat will allow us to continue to grow and expand in Europe while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for our businesses and customers,” said Thierry Merlot, President Europe/Asia-Pacific/MEA.

The success of the collaboration between Fairmat and Hexcel France

The success of the collaboration between Fairmat and Hexcel France has been a key factor in extending this cooperation to other Hexcel European sites. This partnership demonstrates the commitment of both companies to work together to develop sustainable and innovative solutions for the recycling of carbon fiber composites.

Benjamin Saada, founder of Fairmat, said: “We are delighted to take the next step in our partnership with Hexcel, now including their German facilities. This agreement strengthens our position as a key player in the fight against carbon fiber incineration in Europe and underlines our commitment to developing green solutions for the aerospace industry.”

Towards international expansion
This contract also paves the way for Fairmat’s wider expansion in Europe, with the aim of tackling landfill and carbon incineration on an international scale. By focusing on opening new plants in Europe, Fairmat intends to continue to grow and offer innovative solutions.

The global carbon fiber composites recycling market is growing, partly due to the increasing awareness of environmental issues and the need to develop sustainable solutions for industries using these materials. According to market research, the global carbon fiber composites recycling market was estimated to be worth approximately $90 million in 2020 and is expected to reach nearly $250 million by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.4% between 2021 and 2026.

This expanding market offers many opportunities for companies like Fairmat, which are looking to develop advanced technologies for recycling carbon fiber composites. By collaborating with major players such as Hexcel, Fairmat is helping to accelerate the development of sustainable solutions for the aerospace industry and strengthen its position in the global carbon fiber composite recycling market.

Photo: Fairmat is opening a new market with Hexcel Germany to combat carbon incineration in Europe. Copyright Fairmat.