May 26, 2016:
Toray Composites America Inc. and Global Fiberglass Solutions Inc. expand composites recycling program
Tacoma, WA – Toray Composites America Inc. (TCA) and Global Fiberglass Solutions Inc. (GFS) are in the process of expanding their cooperation on repurposing scrap material stemming from TCA’s production of high quality advanced composite prepreg materials, which TCA is producing for the needs of recreational, aircraft and industrial markets.
TCA is consistently advancing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint, and part of that effort is to keep materials from being disposed of in landfills. To achieve that goal, Toray will transfer scrap material to GFS for use in the production of infrastructure and building products such as manhole covers, utility poles and wall panels.
According to GFS CEO Don Lilly, the company’s patented process can take carbon fiber and fiberglass recyclables from efficient shredding and grinding to manufacturing commercially competitive products.
TCA prepreg materials are produced using a hot-melt film process which results in superior areal weight and per-ply thickness control. Current fiber reinforced product forms include: carbon fiber unidirectional (UD) & fabric and glass fiber fabrics. Testing conducted for the products made from TCA recycled material showed overall superior mechanical and physical properties.
GFS’s base material made from recyclables, Ecopolycrete, is suitable for a whole range of green manufacturing applications and is expected to have a significant impact on reducing the practice of landfilling carbon fiber and fiberglass scrap.
About Toray Composites America, Inc.
Toray Composites (America), Inc. is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Toray Industries. Founded in Washington State's Frederickson Industrial Area in 1992, the company is a leading innovator and supplier of carbon fiber materials. With over 400 employees, the prepreg production facility operates 24/7, and in addition to being the sole supplier of primary structure material for Boeing's 787, TCA also produces material for sports, recreational, and industrial manufacturers. As a leading developer of new composite materials, the TCA facility includes a state-of-the-art Composite Materials Research Lab.
About Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc.
As a Recycling and Green Manufacturing Company, Global Fiberglass Solutions focuses primarily on the production of high quality, non-polluting infrastructure products from recycled fiberglass and carbon fiber. In cooperation with major industrial partners, their recycling and manufacturing operations provide cradle-to-cradle repurposing solutions to divert recyclables from landfills. GFSI is headquartered in Bothell, Washington, with sales offices in Richmond, Canada and Corby, England.