Page 161 - CW E-Magazine (1-7-2025)

News from Abroad

CLOSING THE LOOP

Westlake and Alpha Recyclage Composites

to advance composites recycling

US-based chemicals firm, Westlake and Castelsarrasin, France, specialis- tomers to Alpha Recyclage’s expanded
Chemical, has announced that its West- es in recycling carbon-fibre-reinforced capacity and in turn support composite
lake Epoxy subsidiary will collaborate composites through a patented steam customers in their development of new
with Alpha Recyclage Composites to pyrolysis process. This technology pre- applications that integrate recycled
support them in scaling up the recyc- serves the performance qualities of the carbon fibres in different forms.
ling capacity for carbon fibre composite carbon fibres used in composite materi-
materials. als recovered from applications includ- “The development of new appli-
ing aerospace components, automotive cations utilising the recovered carbon
This collaboration will provide sup- parts, and wind turbine blades. fibres could pair well with Westlake
port to Westlake’s composite customers Epoxy’s EpoVIVE portfolio of resin
in their development of improved cir- With Westlake’s support and to meet grades with varying sustainable char-
cular options for both production (scrap growing demand, Alpha Recyclage acteristics, like resins that utilise mass
or off-spec composite materials that Composites is expanding its current balanced renewable raw materials,”
otherwise become waste) and end-of- batch unit to a semi-continuous opera- Westlake said. The company also plans
life waste. The recovery of the carbon tion, targeting a capacity of 1,000-tpa to leverage this collaboration with
fibres from composite materials for of waste carbon fibre composites Alpha Recyclage to explore and develop
reuse in new or emerging applications recycled by 2027. solutions for the recovery of organic
aims to establish a more sustainable components from composite materials
alternative to traditional disposal methods By fostering the relationships and how those recovered organics can
such as landfilling and incineration. between Westlake’s composite custo- be applied to further enhance circula-
Alpha Recyclage Composites, a family- mers and Alpha Recyclage Composites, rity options for the composites value
owned company based in Toulouse Westlake Epoxy aims to connect its cus- chain.

STRENGTHENING PRESENCE

Sika expands manufacturing footprints in China,

Brazil, and Morocco

Swiss construction chemicals firm, clude admixture production. Located “These site developments are part
Sika, has announced three new manu- in Minas Gerais – Brazil’s largest con- of a broader effort to increase market
facturing investments in China, Brazil, crete-producing state and a hub for the penetration, and ensure that production
and Morocco as part of its ‘Local- mining sector – the facility will support capabilities are aligned with customer
for-Local’ strategy. key customers in ready-mix concrete, needs at a regional level,” the company
cement, and mining industries. said in a press note.
In Suzhou (China), Sika has
extended its existing site to support In Morocco, Sika has opened a Sika’s site expansions align with
China’s urban development. The upgraded new mortar and admixtures plant near long-term growth trajectories in some
facility specialises in high-viscosity Agadir. Strategically located to serve of the world’s most dynamic construc-
polyurethane technologies used for the country’s southern region and tion markets. The construction market
advanced bonding and sealing solutions neighbouring markets, the facility is in all these three countries is forecast
across the automotive, construction, equipped with state-of-the-art produc- to grow over 4.0% annually through to
and industrial sectors. tion technologies and designed to meet 2028. Sika said the investments ensure
the growing demand for construction the company is well placed to meet
In Brazil, the company has exten- materials in this rapidly developing this demand with localized, responsive
ded its site near Belo Horizonte to in- area. solutions.

Chemical Weekly July 1, 2025 161

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