Exel and OCF Achieve Commercial-Scale Application of Hundreds of Tons of Circular Composites Annually in Europe

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Exel Composites, based in Vantaa, Finland, has partnered with Original Composites and Fiberglass (OCF), a glass fiber innovation company from Granville, Ohio, USA, to achieve commercial-scale application of circular materials in industrial composite manufacturing in Europe using Sustaina continuous mat (CFM). The collaboration is expected to utilize hundreds of tons of Sustaina CFM annually, supporting Exel's broader sustainability goals while maintaining the consistent performance required for pultrusion applications.

Sustaina is an International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+) certified glass fiber solution containing 50% circular content based on mass balance calculations. This means that for every ton of Sustaina CFM produced, at least 500 kilograms of virgin raw materials are replaced by circular alternatives. Exel states that this partnership represents a significant step in composite circularity, demonstrating how recycled content materials can transition from pilot projects to large-scale industrial production while responding to growing customer interest in responsible material sourcing.

Sustaina CFM can be easily integrated into Exel's production processes without requiring changes or affecting the performance of its composites. This is critical for Exel's continuous manufacturing operations, where consistent thickness, uniform fiber distribution, stable process behavior, and reliable mechanical properties are core requirements.

Kim Sjödahl, Vice President of Technology and Sustainability at Exel Composites, stated that circularity is the way forward, and while the amount of recycled composites in the industry remains limited, Exel challenges itself to use more circular and recycled materials where technically feasible. The partnership with OCF aims to set an example, proving that composite circularity is not only viable but can be achieved without compromising the required performance and high quality of composites. This collaboration also comes at a critical time as OCF adopts a new brand identity, refocusing on circularity and innovation in the composite value chain.