In its newest brochure for customers, Aliancys provides insight into co-processing, a recycling option for glass fiber reinforced thermoset composite materials.

Co-processing is the simultaneous use of composite regrind as raw material and as a source of energy in cement manufacturing, replacing natural mineral resources (material recycling) and fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and gas (energy recovery). In this process, the composite regrind used for co-processing is both an alternative fuel and a raw material.

During the process, glass fiber thermoset composite parts – originating from part manufacturing or end-of-life components – are cut in smaller sections and processed into small chunks. The resulting regrind can be combined with other feedstock materials into an input stream. Aliancys says the recycling of glass fiber-based composite regrind through co-processing in cement kilns is proving to be highly cost effective.