Abstract

Spain, holding a prominent position in Europe's composites industry and notably in aviation composites, faces significant waste management challenges within its 500-strong composite company sector. As it shifts towards the Circular Economy to enhance competitiveness and resource efficiency, Spain adheres to the EU's waste hierarchy, emphasizing the critical need for waste minimization and the reuse of materials. This transition is particularly vital given the environmental impact of disposing of polymer-matrix composites, especially cured composites, with Europe generating roughly 400,000 tonnes of thermoset composite waste annually, a substantial portion of which is from Spain.

This study delves into the reuse and repurposing of polymer composites, promoting their integration within the Circular Economy to preserve material integrity and value. It showcases innovative repurposing projects in Spain and across Europe, such as transforming wind turbine blades into materials for construction, which demonstrates the feasibility of extending these materials' lifecycles. These efforts align with sustainability goals aimed at waste reduction and resource conservation. However, challenges persist, including matching waste volume and condition with market demands and scaling these practices effectively. The concept of structural re-use, turning cured composite waste into high-value, reusable products, highlights the potential of merging reuse and recycling strategies. Innovative approaches to reuse not only mitigate sustainability challenges but also foster economically viable solutions, marking a significant stride towards sustainable and efficient resource utilization in the composites sector.