ACMA launches Composites Recycling Conference

The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), Arlington, Virginia, has announced the conference program for its inaugural Composites Recycling Conference, set for April 10-12, 2018, in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

The conference program, which also will be available online, features the technology and business developments in composites recycling presented by leading experts from U.S. 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 and 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.”

The conference program features panel discussions and presentations from notable companies, including Owens Corning, Ashland, Airbus and the Composite Recycling Technology Center. The program covers a range of topics and industry advancements in composites recycling, including the pyrolysis process capable of recovering glass and carbon fibers; recycling and reusing thermoplastic and thermoset carbon fiber reinforced polymers (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 conference features preconference and postconference tours of leading institutes in the Knoxville area that focus on composites manufacturing and end-of-life recycling. Attendees will have the option to tour IACMI — The Composites Institute Lab at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Manufacturing Demonstration Facility as well as Local Motors. These tours offer an opportunity to see how government funded laboratories are addressing their challenges, ACMA says, including developing a robust and scalable composite recycling methodology as well as how a local manufacturer is creating products from recycled carbon fiber.

Dobbins adds, “As a leader in composites manufacturing, ACMA recognizes 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 aluminum. 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.”

Questions regarding the conference program can be submitted to Christie McCabe, ACMA’s manager of education, at cmccabe@acmanet.org.

Registration for the conference is open, and the conference offers exhibit and sponsorship opportunities. Visit www.acmanet.org/recycling for additional information, including conference agenda, exhibitor and sponsorship information.