Hexcel invests in carbon fiber recycling company

Hexcel Corp., an advanced composites company based in Stamford, Connecticut, has announced that it has made a $5 million investment in Carbon Conversions Inc., (CCI),  which reclaims carbon fiber from dry, wet and cured structures. CCI also incorporates reclaimed carbon fibers in advanced materials that are used to make new, high-performance components.

As a result of the investment, Hexcel and CCI, based in Lake City, South Carolina, have created a partnership that will target carbon fiber recycling and repurposing. Working collaboratively, Hexcel and CCI say they will advance aerospace and industrial applications for reclaimed carbon fiber, enabling the widespread commercial adoption of high-performance, recycled carbon fiber reinforced products and extending their lifecycle.

In a statement following the investment, Nick Stanage, Hexcel’s chairman, CEO and president, says, “The adoption of carbon fiber reinforced parts is growing rapidly and as it does, extending the lifecycle becomes more critical. Already, our innovative materials help customers make their products lighter, stronger, more durable and more efficient. Through this partnership, we now have an ideal opportunity to create a full lifecycle solution never before realized in our industry. It adds significant value for customers who want to incorporate recycled product into new, high performing aerospace and industrial applications.”

A spokesman for Hexcel says the partnership will provide an end-to-end solution for carbon composites that are becoming a much larger part of commercial airplanes.

Mark Mauhar, CCI’s CEO and president, says, “We look forward to working with Hexcel, a leader in carbon fiber solutions, to bring our recycling and repurposing technologies to a broader market. Hexcel’s investment provides for us a valuable recycling material stream and enables us to further expand production capacity and research capability. In addition, this investment supports joint technology collaboration and business development efforts for specific aerospace applications with Hexcel.”