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Sustainability & Recycling

Carbon Fibre’s Circular Shift Gains Momentum with Scale‑up Data and Industrial Action

• By  Debanjan Chakraborty
• August 21, 2025

Global carbon fibre recycling is expanding rapidly. Market size estimates vary, but conservative figures peg it at US$ 197‑198 million in 2024, rising to US$ 382 million by 2030 at 13 % CAGR, while higher-end predictions project US$ 305 million in 2024 growing to USD 1.54 billion by 2034 at 17.6 % CAGR. Sharpest growth is expected in Europe and Asia‑Pacific, where policy incentives and high demand from automotive and aerospace are strongest.

Industry leaders such as SGL Carbon, Toray, Teijin, ELG Carbon are actively scaling composite recycling operations. Aerospace scrap leads sources at 43‑45 % share, while chopped carbon fibre dominates product types at nearly 60 % in 2024. Pyrolysis remains the most common recycling technique (70 % market share), with chemical recycling soaring fastest (15–15.5 % CAGR).

Teijin has embedded Life‑Cycle Assessment across its filament and recycling operations. It aims for net‑zero emissions by 2050, deploying ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 systems and reusing production heat for factory cooling. Teijin also produces biomass‑based acrylonitrile carbon fibre and reclaims production scraps into pelletised recycled fibre products.

Global carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) waste is expected to reach about 20 kilotons annually by 2025, as thousands of aircraft retire and components from wind turbine blades and automotive composites enter the waste stream. Aviation consortia such as the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC) estimate potential recovery of carbon fibre from retired aircraft, while automakers and bike brands are beginning partnerships with Teijin and Fujitsu to trace recycled material via blockchain platforms.

India’s technical textiles manufacturers should closely monitor recycled carbon’s emerging supply chains and technology innovations. Domestic OEMs and composite yarn producers may consider collaborations for mechanical and chemical recycling pilots and leverage demand from mobility, sports and infrastructure sectors needing high-performance circular materials. Manufacturers investing early in recycling infrastructure, LCA practices and traceable supply chains can position India as a sustainable fibre hub aligned with global circular economy mandates.

Circular carbon fibre recycling is transitioning from niche pilot projects into a sizable industrial economy. Material science innovation and scalable business models now offer a pathway to reconcile high-performance composites with planetary boundaries and long-term resource efficiency.

Global carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) waste is expected to reach about 20 kilotons annually by 2025, as thousands of aircraft retire and components from wind turbine blades and automotive composites enter the waste stream. Aviation consortia such as the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC) estimate potential recovery of carbon fibre from retired aircraft, while automakers and bike brands are beginning partnerships with Teijin and Fujitsu to trace recycled material via blockchain platforms.