SAMPE Technical Sessions : True Circularity

• 09.30-09.50 : Japan's Commitment to True Circularity by Prof. Jun Takahashi, Professor, University of Tokyo, SAMPE Japan

Safe and rational use and circulation of resources is essential and is embodied in the EU REACH Regulation and ELV Directive, among others. In the future, highly transparent decision-making that also combines or integrates scientific information such as LCA/LCC is required. This presentation will introduce relevant initiatives being undertaken by JCMA (the Japanese Carbon Fiber Manufacturers Association).                                                                   

• 09.50-10.10 : Structural Batteries: Bridging Lightweight Design, Energy Storage, and Sustainability by Prof. Johanna Xu, Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Materials Science, Chalmers University of Technology, SAMPE Europe

Multifunctional composites can become the enabler for sustainable, high-performance design especially for various transportation technologies. In future, the role of composites with functionalities of structural batteries can be very broad. The necessary changes are driven by the needs of weight reduction, system integration, and sustainability. This talk will give a rich view to the topics of architecting structural batteries, combining structural and electrochemical functions, and the constituents i.e. carbon fibre electrodes, structural electrolytes, and multifunctional laminates. The contents of the talk will present European sustainability and circularity in structural energy storage, and also recent research highlights from Chalmers University of Technology. The recent novelties presented cover phase-separated polymer systems, as well as scalability and integration into demonstrators.

• 10.10-10.30 : All-green CFRP Composites for Sustainability and Circularity by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Xiaosu Yi, CEO, Yangtze River Delta Carbon Fiber & Composites Innovation Center (CCIC), SAMPE China

To make carbon fiber composites (CFRP) shift from a “luxury material” to an “everyday material,” we must break the cost barrier of CFs and solve recycling challenges under the goals of carbon peaking and neutrality. Guided by this vision, we have developed recycled continuous CF and combined it with bio-sourced resin to create a fully green, low-cost composite material:

1. Turning CFRP waste into ContRGF™ – recycled continuous carbon fiber meeting T/CSTM 00882-2023 industrial standard.

2. Pairing ContRGF™ with bio-sourced epoxy to form ContRPMC™ – enabling fully green, circular-economy composites.

3. Significant cost advantages – removing barriers for large-scale CFRP use in NEV structural components.

4. Process-compatible for mass production – suitable for thick/low-cost composite parts without major line changes.

5. Supports carbon neutrality and global competitiveness – reducing product carbon footprint, aligning with EU regulations.

• 10.30-10.50 : A Practical Guide to Circularity of Carbon Fiber Composites by Lindy Jepsen Poe, Aerospace Marketing Engineer, Teijin Carbon, SAMPE North America

Provide a practical framework for facilitating circularity in carbon fiber composites including ways to provide complete material traceability through digital “product passports” from manufacture to end-of-life reclamation. We will outline approaches for building effective reverse-logistics pathways, ensuring retired components reliably reach post-processing and highlight product forms and application opportunities for utilizing these post-processed materials. This session will demonstrate how traceability and process innovation can open opportunities for higher value reuse, giving attendees clear, actionable strategies for advancing sustainable composite lifecycles.