Environmental impact of advanced composite materials in manufacturing industries

Abstract

This study analyzes the environmental impact of advanced composite materials from a 'cradle-to-grave' perspective, comprehensively assessing energy use, carbon emissions, and waste management at each stage, including production, use, and end-of-life recycling. Research shows that while conventional carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials exhibit high mechanical performance, their production requires significant energy consumption (180-290 MJ/kg) and carbon emissions (8-9 kg CO?eq/kg) and has a profound impact on the environment. In contrast, bio-based composites based on flax and hemp fibers exhibit relatively low energy consumption (60-80 MJ/kg) and a low carbon footprint (1.8-2.5 kg CO?eq/kg), establishing them as sustainable alternatives. Although the use of CFRP and GFRP increases energy efficiency, limitations in recycling reduce their life cycle sustainability. On the other hand, adopting pyrolysis and high-voltage fragmentation (HVF) technologies significantly increases recyclability and energy efficiency. As a result, the research indicates that the integrated application of bio-based sources, renewable energy-based production, circular design, and advanced recycling technologies is capable of leading the advanced composites industry towards a