Fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials are increasingly employed in several industries. This extensive use has resulted in a huge increase of generated waste that has to be managed without causing significant environmental issues. Recycling fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials in accordance with circular economy principles might be a way to overcome such problems. Thus, this paper aims to empirically analyse the existing scientific literature regarding recycling technologies for fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials. The main goal is to provide a holistic and comprehensive analysis of the topic, as well as research gaps and future directions following a rigorous and transparent approach. Overall, 201 articles were selected through a systematic approach and then analysed using a bibliometric analysis. Results show that this topic has been increasingly gaining momentum in recent years and that researchers have mostly carried out experimental studies on chemical and thermal recycling technologies for recovering carbon fibres. Lastly, this article provides an in-depth research agenda based on identified research gaps and an enhanced managerial grasp of this field of research.
MishnaevskyLBrannerKPetersenH, et al.Materials for wind turbine blades: an overview. Materials (Basel)2017; 10: 1285.
2.
AsmatuluETwomeyJOvercashM. Recycling of fiber-reinforced composites and direct structural composite recycling concept. J Compos Mater2014; 48: 593–608.
3.
LefeuvreAGarnierSJacqueminL, et al.Anticipating in-use stocks of carbon fiber reinforced polymers and related waste flows generated by the commercial aeronautical sector until 2050. Resour Conserv Recycl2017; 125: 264–272.
4.
CousinsDSSuzukiYMurrayRE, et al.Recycling glass fiber thermoplastic composites from wind turbine blades. J Clean Prod2019; 209: 1252–1263.
5.
SauerMKühnelMElmarW, et al.Composites Market Report 2018 - Market developments, trends, outlook and challenges, 2018.
6.
NaqviSRPrabhakaraHMBramerEA, et al.A critical review on recycling of end-of-life carbon fibre/glass fibre reinforced composites waste using pyrolysis towards a circular economy. Resour Conserv Recycl2018; 136: 118–129.
7.
MengFOlivettiEAZhaoY, et al.Comparing life cycle energy and global warming potential of carbon fiber composite recycling technologies and waste management options. ACS Sustain Chem Eng2018; 6: 9854–9865.
8.
EliaVGnoniMGTorneseF. Measuring circular economy strategies through index methods: a critical analysis. J Clean Prod2017; 142: 2741–2751.
9.
BressanelliGPeronaMSaccaniN. Challenges in supply chain redesign for the Circular Economy: a literature review and a multiple case study. Int J Prod Res2019; 57: 7395–7422.
10.
FerronatoNRadaECGorritty PortilloMA, et al.Introduction of the circular economy within developing regions: a comparative analysis of advantages and opportunities for waste valorization. J Environ Manage2019; 230: 366–378.
11.
GopalrajSKKärkiT. A review on the recycling of waste carbon fibre/glass fibre-reinforced composites: fibre recovery, properties and life-cycle analysis. SN Appl Sci2020; 2: 1–21.
12.
VieiraDRVieiraRKChang ChainM. Strategy and management for the recycling of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) in the aircraft industry: a critical review. Int J Sustain Dev World Ecol2017; 24: 214–223.
13.
ZhangJChevaliVSWangH, et al.Current status of carbon fibre and carbon fibre composites recycling. Composites B: Eng2020; 193: 108053.
14.
PakdelEKashiSVarleyR, et al.Recent progress in recycling carbon fibre reinforced composites and dry carbon fibre wastes. Resour Conserv Recycl, 2020. Epub ahead of print 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105340
15.
RialtiRMarziGCiappeiC, et al.Big data and dynamic capabilities: a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review. Manag Decis2019; 57: 2052–2068.
16.
KhalilYF. Comparative environmental and human health evaluations of thermolysis and solvolysis recycling technologies of carbon fiber reinforced polymer waste. Waste Manag2018; 76: 767–778.
17.
OliveuxGDandyLOLeekeGA. Current status of recycling of fibre reinforced polymers: review of technologies, reuse and resulting properties. Prog Mater Sci2015; 72: 61–99.
18.
PalmerJSavageLGhitaOR, et al.Sheet moulding compound (SMC) from carbon fibre recyclate. In: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. Elsevier, 2010, pp. 1232–1237.
19.
PickeringSJ. Recycling technologies for thermoset composite materials-current status. Compos A Appl Sci Manuf2006; 37: 1206–1215.
20.
OshimaKHosakaMMatsudaS, et al.Removal mechanism of epoxy resin from CFRP composites triggered by water electrolysis gas generation. Sep Purif Technol2020; 251: 117296.
21.
DransfeldCRouxMEgueN. Thermoplastic carbon fibre-reinforced polymer recycling with electrodynamical fragmentation : From cradle to cradle, 2017. Epub ahead of print 2017. DOI: 10.1177/0892705715599431
22.
OshimaKMatsudaSHosakaM, et al.Rapid removal of resin from a unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced plastic laminate by a high-voltage electrical treatment. Sep Purif Technol2020; 231: 115885.
23.
GiorginiLBenelliTBrancoliniG, et al.Recycling of carbon fiber reinforced composite waste to close their life cycle in a cradle-to-cradle approach. Curr Opin Green Sustainable Chem2020; 26: 100368.
24.
MaCSánchez-RodríguezDKamoT. Influence of thermal treatment on the properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics under various conditions. Polym Degrad Stab2020; 178: 109199. Epub ahead of print 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109199
25.
ÅkessonDFoltynowiczZChristéenJ, et al.Microwave pyrolysis as a method of recycling glass fibre from used blades of wind turbines. J Reinf Plast Compos2012; 31: 1136–1142.
26.
PickeringSJKellyRMKennerleyJR, et al.A fluidised-bed process for the recovery of glass fibres from scrap thermoset composites. Compos Sci Technol2000; 60: 509–523.
27.
TurnerTAPickeringSJWarriorNA. Development of recycled carbon fibre moulding compounds - Preparation of waste composites. Compos B Eng2011; 42: 517–525.
28.
PimentaSPinhoST. Recycling carbon fibre reinforced polymers for structural applications: technology review and market outlook. Waste Manag2011; 31: 378–392.
29.
YangYBoomRIrionB, et al.Recycling of composite materials. Chem Eng Process Process Intensif2012; 51: 53–68.
30.
LiuWHuangHChengH, et al.CFRP reclamation and remanufacturing based on a closed-loop recycling process for carbon fibers using supercritical N-butanol. Fibers Polym2020; 21: 604–618.
31.
SunHGuoGAliS, et al.Recycling of carbon fibers from carbon fiber reinforced polymer using electrochemical method. Compos PART A2015; 78: 10–17.
32.
ZhuJHChenPYSuMN, et al.Recycling of carbon fibre reinforced plastics by electrically driven heterogeneous catalytic degradation of epoxy resin. Green Chem2019; 21: 1635–1647.
33.
DasMVarugheseS. A novel sonochemical approach for enhanced recovery of carbon fiber from CFRP waste using mild acid-peroxide mixture. ACS Sustain Chem Eng2016; 4: 2080–2087.
34.
RibeiroMCSMeira-CastroACSilvaFG, et al.Re-use assessment of thermoset composite wastes as aggregate and filler replacement for concrete-polymer composite materials: a case study regarding GFRP pultrusion wastes. Resour Conserv Recycl2015; 104: 417–426.
35.
GiorginiLBenelliTMazzocchettiL, et al.Recovery of carbon fibers from cured and uncured carbon fiber reinforced composites wastes and their use as feedstock for a new composite production. Polym Compos2015; 36: 1084–1095.
36.
MeyerLOSchulteKGrove-NielsenE. CFRP-recycling following a pyrolysis route: Process optimization and potentials. J Compos Mater2009; 43: 1121–1132.
37.
BaiYWangZFengL. Chemical recycling of carbon fibers reinforced epoxy resin composites in oxygen in supercritical water. Mater Des2010; 31: 999–1002.
JiangGPickeringSJLesterEH, et al.Characterisation of carbon fibres recycled from carbon fibre/epoxy resin composites using supercritical n-propanol. Compos Sci Technol2009; 69: 192–198.
40.
KhurshidMFHillerbrandMAbdkaderA, et al.Processing of waste carbon and polyamide fibers for high-performance thermoplastic composites: Modifications to the auto-leveling system to enhance the quality of hybrid drawn sliver, 2020. Epub ahead of print 2020. DOI: 10.1177/1528083720913530
41.
HengstermannMHasanMAbdkaderA, et al.Development of a new hybrid yarn construction from recycled carbon fibers (rCF) for high-performance composites. Part-II: influence of yarn parameters on tensile properties of composites. Text Res J2017; 87: 1655–1664.
42.
HasanMMBNitscheSAbdkaderA, et al.Carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites developed from innovative hybrid yarn structures consisting of staple carbon fibres and polyamide 6 fibres. Compos Sci Technol2018; 167: 379–387.
43.
WöllingJSchmiegMManisF, et al.Nonwovens from recycled carbon fibres - comparison of processing technologies. In: Procedia CIRP, 2017, pp. 271–276.
44.
HengstermannMRaithelNAbdkaderA, et al.Development of new hybrid yarn construction from recycled carbon fibers for high performance composites. Part-I: basic processing of hybrid carbon fiber/polyamide 6 yarn spinning from virgin carbon fiber staple fibers. Text Res J2016; 86: 1307–1317.
45.
ColomboBAbdoosAGaiardelliP, et al.A technical feasibility study of an innovative spinning process for recycled carbon fibres. 26th Summer Sch Fr Turco. Italian Assoc Ind Oper Profr, 2020.
46.
BorriEZsembinszkiGCabezaLF. Recent developments of thermal energy storage applications in the built environment: a bibliometric analysis and systematic review. Appl Therm Eng2021; 189: 116666.
47.
TranfieldDDenyerDSmartP. Towards a methodology for developing evidence-informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. Br J Manag2003; 14: 207–222.
48.
MoherDLiberatiATetzlaffJ, et al.Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ (Online)2009; 339: 332–336.
49.
CoboMJLópez-HerreraAGHerrera-ViedmaE, et al.An approach for detecting, quantifying, and visualizing the evolution of a research field: a practical application to the Fuzzy Sets Theory field. J Informetr2011; 5: 146–166.
50.
NoyonsECMMoedHFVan RaanAFJ. Integrating research performance analysis and science mapping. Budapest Sci1999; 46: 591–604.
51.
ChadeganiAASalehiHYunusMM, et al.A comparison between two main academic literature collections: web of science and scopus databases. Asian Soc Sci2013; 9. Epub ahead of print 2013. DOI: 10.5539/ass.v9n5p18
52.
SánchezADde la Cruz Del Río RamaMGarcíaJÁ. Bibliometric analysis of publications on wine tourism in the databases Scopus and WoS. Eur Res Manag Bus Econ2017; 23: 8–15.
53.
SalimNAb RahmanMNAbd WahabD. A systematic literature review of internal capabilities for enhancing eco-innovation performance of manufacturing firms. J Clean Prod2019; 209: 1445–1460.
FadlallaAAmaniF. A keyword-based organizing framework for ERP intellectual contributions. J Enterp Inf Manag2015; 28: 637–657.
59.
SmallHG. Co citation in the scientific literature: a new measure of the relationship between two documents Related papers. J Assoc Inf Sci Technol1973; 24: 265–269.
60.
HjørlandB.Citation analysis: a social and dynamic approach to knowledge organization. Inf Process Manag2013; 49: 1313–1325.
61.
FangYYinJWuB. Climate change and tourism: a scientometric analysis using CiteSpace. J Sustain Tour2018; 26: 108–126.
62.
TrujilloCMLongTM. Document co-citation analysis to enhance transdisciplinary research. Sci Adv2018; 4. Epub ahead of print 1 January 2018. DOI: 10.1126/SCIADV.1701130/SUPPL_FILE/1701130_SM
BrochadoATeigaNOliveira-BrochadoF. The ecological conscious consumer behaviour: are the activists different?Int J Consum Stud2017; 41: 138–146.
65.
AliAXiaolingGAliA, et al.Customer motivations for sustainable consumption: Investigating the drivers of purchase behavior for a green-luxury car. Bus Strateg Environ2019; 28: 833–846.
66.
MirandaJPérez-RodríguezRBorjaV, et al.Sensing, smart and sustainable product development (S3 product) reference framework. Int J Prod Res2019; 57: 4391–4412.
67.
EllringmannTWilmsCWarneckeM, et al.Carbon fiber production costing: a modular approach. Text Res J2016; 86(2): 178–190.
68.
MillerLSoulliereKSawyer-BeaulieuS, et al.Challenges and alternatives to plastics recycling in the automotive sector. Materials (Basel)2014; 7: 5883–5902.
MerliRPreziosiMAcamporaA, et al.Recycled fibers in reinforced concrete: a systematic literature review. J Clean Prod2020; 248: 119207. Epub ahead of print 2020. DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119207
71.
ZhangKLiuYNassiriS, et al.Performance evaluation of porous asphalt mixture enhanced with high dosages of cured carbon fiber composite materials. Constr Build Mater2021; 274. Epub ahead of print 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.122066
72.
Vo DongPAAzzaro-PantelCCadeneA-L. Economic and environmental assessment of recovery and disposal pathways for CFRP waste management. Resour Conserv Recycl2018; 133: 63–75.
73.
ChengHLiuWHuangH, et al.Numerical Simulation of Flow Distribution in the Reactor Used for CFRPs Degradation under Supercritical Condition. Int J Chem React Eng2019; 17. Epub ahead of print 1 November 2019. DOI: 10.1515/ijcre-2019-0048
74.
HamelCMKuangXQiHJ. Modeling the dissolution of thermosetting polymers and composites via solvent assisted exchange reactions. Compos Part B Eng2020; 200: 108363.
75.
HagnellMKÅkermoM. The economic and mechanical potential of closed loop material usage and recycling of fibre-reinforced composite materials. J Clean Prod2019; 223: 957–968.
76.
PerryNPompidouSMantauxO. Information exchanges between experts for thermoset composites design for recycling, 2014, http://sam.ensam.eu (accessed 19 April 2021).
77.
ColomboBGaiardelliPDottiS, et al.Recycling of waste fiber-reinforced plastic composites: a patent-based analysis. Recycl2021; 66: 72.
78.
van EckNJWaltmanL. Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics2010; 84: 523–538.
79.
RenRHuWDongJ, et al.A systematic literature review of green and sustainable logistics: bibliometric analysis, research trend and knowledge taxonomy. Int J Environ Res Public Health2020; 17: 261. Epub ahead of print 2020. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17010261
80.
HuWDongJHwangB, et al.A scientometrics review on city logistics literature: research trends, advanced theory and practice. Sustain2019; 11: 1–27.
81.
KamimuraAYamamotoSYamadaK. Depolymerization of unsaturated polyesters and waste fiber-reinforced plastics by using ionic liquids: the use of microwaves to accelerate the reaction rate. ChemSusChem2011; 4: 644–649.
82.
BigliardiBCasellaGBottaniE. Industry 4.0 in the logistics field: a bibliometric analysis. IET Collab Intell Manuf2021; 3: 4–12.
83.
ZubailATraidiaAMasulliM, et al.Carbon and energy footprint of nonmetallic composite pipes in onshore oil and gas flowlines. J Clean Prod2021; 305: 127150.
84.
NunesAOVianaLRGuineheucPM, et al.Life cycle assessment of a steam thermolysis process to recover carbon fibers from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer waste. Int J Life Cycle Assess2018; 23: 1825–1838.
85.
SiHShiJWuG, et al.Mapping the bike sharing research published from 2010 to 2018: a scientometric review. J Clean Prod2019; 213: 415–427.
86.
MacArthur Foundation Ellen. Towards a Circular Economy, Economic and Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition, 2013.
87.
LesterEKingmanSWongKH, et al.Microwave heating as a means for carbon fibre recovery from polymer composites: a technical feasibility study. Mater Res Bull2004; 39: 1549–1556.
88.
LiJXuPLZhuYK, et al.A promising strategy for chemical recycling of carbon fiber/thermoset composites: self-accelerating decomposition in a mild oxidative system. Green Chem2012; 14: 3260–3263.
89.
WangYCuiXGeH, et al.Chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites via selective cleavage of the carbon-nitrogen bond. ACS Sustain Chem Eng2015; 3: 3332–3337.
90.
MorinCLoppinet-seraniAAymonierC, et al.Near- and supercritical solvolysis of carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) for recycling carbon fibers as a valuable resource : State of the art. J Supercrit Fluids2012; 66: 232–240.
91.
LiuYLiuJJiangZ, et al.Chemical recycling of carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin composites in subcritical water: Synergistic effect of phenol and KOH on the decomposition efficiency. Polym Degrad Stab2012; 97: 214–220.
92.
Piñero-HernanzRDoddsCHydeJ, et al.Chemical recycling of carbon fibre reinforced composites in nearcritical and supercritical water. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2008; 39: 454–461.
93.
OkajimaIHiramatsuMShimamuraY, et al.Chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic using supercritical methanol. J Supercrit Fluids2014; 91: 68–76.
94.
LiuYMengLHuangY, et al.Recycling of carbon/epoxy composites. J Appl Polym Sci2004; 94: 1912–1916.
95.
PalmerJGhitaORSavageL, et al.Successful closed-loop recycling of thermoset composites. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf2009; 40: 490–498.
96.
DyllickTMuffK. Clarifying the meaning of sustainable business: introducing a typology from business-as-usual to true business sustainability. Organ Environ2016; 29: 156–174.
97.
LeeMKimDHParkJJ, et al.Fast chemical recycling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic at ambient pressure using an aqueous solvent accelerated by a surfactant. Waste Manag2020; 118: 190–196.
98.
HuangHLiuWLiuZ. An additive manufacturing-based approach for carbon fiber reinforced polymer recycling. CIRP Ann2020; 69: 33–36.
99.
LiuWHuangHZhuL, et al.Integrating carbon fiber reclamation and additive manufacturing for recycling CFRP waste. Compos Part B Eng2021; 215: 108808.
100.
ClemonLMZohdiTI. On the tolerable limits of granulated recycled material additives to maintain structural integrity. Constr Build Mater2018; 167: 846–852.
