CEAMS Wins Composites UK Award for rCF Reclamation
The Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS, Rochdale, U.K.) received the “Sustainability - Circularity” award at the 2025 Composites UK Industry Awards, held alongside the Advanced Engineering Show (AES). The recognition marks a major step forward in composite materials recycling.
Breakthrough in Composite Recycling
The CEAMS consortium achieved a technical and industrial milestone by successfully reclaiming continuous carbon fiber (rCCF), one of the most difficult materials to recycle, and demonstrating its reuse in advanced manufacturing. The project proved that rCCF can be reintroduced into structural component production while maintaining both processability and strength.
Testing and Applications
Trials conducted by CEAMS included weaving, braiding, filament winding, and tailored fiber placement (TFP), using up to 100% recycled material. These results point toward a more circular, low-carbon future for the U.K. composites industry.
Collaboration and Impact
The initiative involved collaboration among multiple partners: Rochdale Development Agency, National Composites Centre (NCC), Henry Royce Institute, and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), with support from the AMRC, Cygnet Texkimp, University of Nottingham, and Ulster University.
“This shows what’s possible when we bring the right people and ideas together,” said Dr.
Author Summary
CEAMS’s award-winning project showcases a pivotal advance in reusing recycled carbon fiber to build stronger, sustainable U.K. manufacturing systems.