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Cement Co-processing of End-of-Life Composites Avoids up to 1 Ton of CO2 Emissions Per Ton Processed

Nine industry associations, including EBI, commissioned SGS INTRON to prepare a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) report exploring the environmental impacts of treating End-of-Life (EoL) composites by co-processing in a cement facility.  

The independent and peer-reviewed LCA report confirms the positive environmental impact of this end-of-life solution for glass fibre reinforced thermoset composites which are used in various applications, including the automotive, construction, wind and recreational boating sectors. 

The report reveals that each ton of EoL composite waste treated in a cement facility saves up to 1 ton of CO2 compared to traditional waste incineration methods. In addition to CO2 savings, cement co-processing of composites offers two other significant benefits that lower the environmental footprint of the cement industry:

  • Reduced need for virgin raw materials by recovering the glass fiber fraction of EoL composite. 
  • Reduced need for fossil energy sources by the efficient recovery of the energy content from the resin fraction.

With the publication of this report, the nine associations call on decision-makers to recognize cement co-processing as recycling process for its mineral fraction. This recognition would be highly beneficial, accelerating the adoption of this existing solution to process EoL composites and fostering the development of a sustainable waste collection system for EoL composites. Having such a collection system in place will pave the way for other circular technology solutions that currently lack the necessary waste stream visibility to attract the public and private investments needed for expansion. 

EBI and the other eight associations continue to collaborate in support of all sustainable recycling solutions for EoL composite materials. Together they call on EU policymakers to help build a supply chain for circular solutions to treat EoL composites.

A summary of the report can be found under this link. The full report and LCA software import files will be available to stakeholders on request by contacting EuCIA (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).