The 3R (Recycling, Recovery, and Reuse) of Fiber Reinforced Thermoset Composite: Paving the Way for a Circular Economy

Abstract

The rising popularity of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in aerospace, automotive, and energy industries leads to waste management difficulties. This review critically considers 3R (recycling, recovery, reuse) options for thermoset-based FRP composites, contrasting traditional (landfilling, incineration) and developing (solvolysis, microwave-assisted recycling, catalytic) approaches. As the thermal recycling method leads to industrial recycling, it harms the fibers' characteristics and requires a lot of energy. Advanced solvolysis techniques, such as Fenton-based degradation, enable effective resin decomposition under mild conditions while retaining approximately 90% of the fiber strength. We emphasize the practical applications of recycled carbon fibers (rCFs) in the automotive sector (BMW, Toyota) and the aerospace industry (Boeing 787), highlighting their economic as well as environmental benefits. Lifecycle assessments show that solvolysis is the most sustainable option, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30-50% compared to landfilling. The challenges of scalability, cost, and policy alignment are highlighted, as well as future possibilities in hybrid recycling and advanced applications. This study proposes an outline for conveying FRP waste to a circular economy while balancing technical feasibility and industrial sustainability.