Feb 1, 2018 | Source: Net Composites
The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) has announced the programme for its first Composites Recycling Conference, which takes place on 10-12 April in Knoxville, Tennessee, US.
The conference programme features technology and business developments in composites recycling presented by experts from the US and around the world.
“Over the past few years, our industry has made great strides in composites recycling, including greater awareness, product development, and industry collaboration,” says Tom Dobbins, President & CEO of ACMA. “This conference will give our industry professionals and leaders the full picture of what’s happening in composites recycling today and get a glimpse at what’s next, including opportunities to reduce costs and develop recycled composite products.”
“As a leader in composites manufacturing, ACMA recognises recycling is an important issue for our members and the industry at large, both to reduce overall costs and to better compete with steel and aluminium,” he adds. “We worked with our industry partners and members to curate the latest information and best practices that are being successfully implemented and can have a major impact across all market segments.”
The conference programme features panel discussions and presentations from companies including Owens Corning, Ashland, Airbus and the Composite Recycling Technology Centre. It covers a wide range of topics and industry advancements in composites recycling, including the pyrolysis process capable of recovering both glass and carbon fibres, recycling using cardboard balers and reusing thermoplastic and thermoset CFRPs in the aviation market, and state-of-the-art recycling technology. Industry experts and business leaders will share new and existing incentives for recycling and waste reduction that are reducing costs and making the business case for composites recycling.
Additionally, the event features pre-conference and post-conference tours of leading institutes in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area that focus on composites manufacturing and EOL recycling. Attendees will have the option to tour IACMI — The Composites Institute Lab at the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, and Local Motors. These tours offer an opportunity to see how government funded laboratories are addressing their unique challenges, including developing a robust and scalable composite recycling methodology as well as how a local manufacturer is creating products from recycled carbon fibre.
Register for the conference on ACMA’s website.