The RECICOM project has successfully demonstrated new solutions for the repair, reuse, and recycling of composite materials in aerospace, marking a major step toward a circular economy in aviation.

At the core of RECICOM s achievements is the development of a large drone manufactured with 3R material, a patented epoxy resin with reversible chemistry created by CIDETEC Surface Engineering. This innovation combines high mechanical performance with the ability to be repaired, reused, and recycled, addressing one of the industry s toughest sustainability challenges.

Driving Sustainable Aviation

Composite materials are critical for reducing aircraft weight, improving fuel efficiency, and cutting CO emissions. However, their high costs and limited recyclability have restricted broader adoption. With 3R carbon fiber-reinforced prepregs, CIDETEC Surface Engineering provides a sustainable, cost-effective solution across the entire lifecycle of aerospace composites.

Throughout the project, CIDETEC Surface Engineering has led the development of solutions in various key areas:

• 3R epoxy resin developed with reversible chemistry, retaining full mechanical performance.
• Carbon fiber recovery using advanced hydrothermal recycling processes.
• Non-destructive inspection (NDI) systems based on acoustic emission for real-time defect detection.
• Repair and reuse processes validated for aerospace-grade 3R composites.
• Integration of recycled carbon fiber into new high-performance materials.

Project Scope

RECICOM (Recycling and Composition of Composite Materials) was led by TITANIA with contributions from FLUIDMECANICA SUR, DRONETOOLS, I-PUNTO END, and the University of C diz. Conducted between September 2022 and December 2024, the project had a budget of 2.43 million, including 1.65 million in CDTI funding, supported by Spain s Ministry of Science and Innovation through the 2022 Aeronautical Technology Program and the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.

Source: cidetec.es