Launch of Recycling and Utilization Project for CFRP Recovered from Retired Aircraft

Launch of Recycling and Utilization Project for CFRP Recovered from Retired Aircraft

NEDO is initiating the "Next-Generation Aviation Circular Industry Construction Project" (hereinafter referred to as the Project) as part of its R&D efforts into recycling "Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP)," a cutting-edge material used in aircraft.

This Project aims to build a supply chain for recovering CFRP, which is expected to be generated in large quantities from retired aircraft, and utilizing it back in aviation.

By doing so, the project intends to simultaneously achieve waste reduction and lower CO2 emissions, contributing to both the decarbonization of the aviation industry and the realization of a circular economy.

1. Overview

The aviation industry is accelerating efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. CFRP, which is lightweight and high-strength, is widely used in aircraft and contributes to improved fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction. On the other hand, aircraft have an operational lifespan, and many are expected to retire between 2030 and 2045.

Against this backdrop, there is significant anticipation for the recovery and reuse of CFRP generated from retired aircraft. It has recently become clear that recycled carbon fiber (CF), the raw material for CFRP, can significantly reduce CO2 emissions during the manufacturing stage compared to virgin materials.

Under these circumstances, NEDO aims to build a supply chain covering everything from aircraft dismantling and cutting to CF recovery, regeneration, and reuse.

This initiative creates a "venous industry" in the aviation sector, complementing the existing "arterial industry" that manufactures products, by recovering and reusing resources. This contributes to both the decarbonization of aircraft manufacturing and the expansion of the circular economy.

2. Selected Themes

The Project will first clarify the conditions and challenges for establishing a recycling supply chain and examine optimal business models. Subsequently, it will undertake the following technical developments:

- Dismantling and cutting technology to efficiently recover CFRP from retired aircraft - Environmentally conscious CF recovery and regeneration technology - Material processing processes to convert recycled materials into usable forms

Furthermore, the project will evaluate the characteristics of recycled materials and conduct requirements definition and verification using test aircraft for application in secondary structural parts and interior components.

### [1] Project Name Next-Generation Aviation Circular Industry Construction Project / R&D on Composite Material Resource Circulation System for Next-Generation Aircraft

### [2] Budget 540 million JPY (FY2026)

### [3] Duration FY2026 – FY2030 (Planned)

### [Participants] - Tokai National Higher Education and Research System - Fine Ceramics Center - SUBARU Corporation - JAMCO Corporation - Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)