June 16, 2025
Every year, thousands of tonnes of composite waste—glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics—end up in landfills or are incinerated. These materials were designed to last, but not to return.
That’s where this significant project, a collaboration between technology innovators and forward-thinking waste operators, marks a turning point.
At the heart of it is a pilot launched at a Veolia site in western France. It represents a new model: decentralized, circular, and centered on clean material recovery.
There are many moving parts, producers, operators, partners, pre- and post-processors, yet within the center is this new-generation pyrolysis unit, developed by Fiberloop.
Why This Project Matters
Let’s be clear: pyrolysis of composites isn’t anything new. But the challenge has always been the quality of the recovered material.
Most systems degrade the fibers or produce inconsistent output—making further reuse energetical costly, complex, or impractical.
That’s where Fiberloop’s breakthrough comes in:
→ Consistent high-quality fiber recovery, preserving structural integrity.
→ Minimal preprocessing.
→ Output ready for reintegration into new products—without the need for expensive reprocessing.
This project isn’t just about processing waste.
It’s about unlocking value from it.
About the Project: Technology Meeting Execution
While Fiberloop remains at the forefront of pyrolysis engineering and system design, we strongly believe that true impact requires a network—of operators, material handlers, upcyclers, policy leaders, and circular economy pioneers.
The project in France stands as proof: when technological innovation meets operational will, we can rewrite what’s possible for even the most “unrecyclable” of materials.
The pilot has been made possible through operational support from Composite Recycling SA, who are overseeing the day-to-day implementation. Their collaboration and initiative in making this deployment a reality have been a vital part of its success.
And the host site—Veolia’s regional facility—shows how infrastructure, innovation, and execution can come together to build something much bigger than the sum of its parts.
It’s a modular unit—industrial in capacity, but designed for regional deployment operated by Composite Recycling for Veolia and Benneteau. This means waste can be handled closer to its source, reducing emissions and logistical costs.
The system can process over 2 tonnes of composite waste per day, turning it into two usable outputs:
- Clean glass or carbon fibres
- Pyrolysis oil for potential energy or chemical applications
The Opportunity Ahead
The early results are promising. More importantly, the pilot lays the foundation for:
- Building local collection and recycling loops
- Serving industries like marine, automotive, and wind energy
- Reducing the environmental cost of composite use
- Scaling up with larger units and new locations
For manufacturers and waste handlers looking to move from “compliance” to true circularity, this kind of system changes the equation.
A Word of Thanks
Fiberloop is proud to have built and delivered the core recycling system for this initiative. But innovation is only impactful when paired with action.
That’s why we want to acknowledge the commitment of the operational teams—especially at Composite Recycling, and the site hosting by Veolia—who helped make the project real.
Progress in sustainability is rarely linear.
But when technology, collaboration, and on-the-ground expertise align—real transformation starts to happen.
What’s Next?
To drive real adoption and scale this market, we believe the following are critical:
- Investment in localized, scalable pyrolysis infrastructure
- Cross-industry collaborations for material traceability and certification
- CAPEX-light models like Recycling-as-a-Service (RaaS)
- Supportive regulation tied to CO₂ accounting and material recovery metrics
Fiberloop is actively piloting these solutions with strategic partners across Europe.
Want to Learn More?
f you’re exploring composite recycling, circular strategies, or considering upgrading your pyrolysis plant with a high-quality fiber recovery, let’s talk.
Reach out to Fiberloop to learn more about this technology or explore new project opportunities.
Together, we can close the loop—one fiber at a time.
Sounds interesting? Let's talk