EuCIA participated in the RECREATE Conference: Made in the EU – Creating Markets for Circular Composites in Brussels on 23rd April.
The event brought together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers and investors to explore solutions, policy and market pathways to scale circular composites in Europe.
EuCIA’s managing director Raphaël Pleynet joined the panel Composites Market and EU Policy to discuss policy recommendations to advance circularity of composites together with Volker Mathes, Business Development Manager, AVK; Axel Leuchter, Vice-Chair, Carbon Fiber Europe (a sectorial alliance of EuCIA); Luca Gentilini, Project / R&D Engineer, Haiki+ Cobat; and Jochem Cuppen, Founder, Compone.
A key theme emerged: circularity in composites is now primarily a market challenge, not a technological one.
Raphaël noted that the question is no longer ‘how can we recycle composites?’ but ‘what do we do next?’ He emphasised the importance of developing a business case for circularity and collaboration at European level.
“Europe has a unique opportunity to lead in circular composites, but this requires strong alignment across the value chain. Initiatives such as the European Circular Composites Alliance [a sectorial alliance of EuCIA] are here to ensure that innovation, industry and policy move forward together.”
Axel Leuchter stated: “Bridging the gap between innovation and industrial reality requires strong cooperation across the ecosystem. Industry must be actively involved in shaping solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable.”
Volker Mathes of AVK underlined the urgency of action: “We have the knowledge and the technological base in Europe, which can become our competitive advantage if we act now. The challenge is to remove the barriers and create the right framework conditions so these solutions can scale.”
Jochem Cuppen, co-founder of Compone, which creates new products using recycled composites, emphasised: “If a circular solution makes financial sense, it will be adopted – by investors, by industry, and by the market. At that point, regulation no longer holds it back, it follows it.”
Investor perspectives
The post-event press release also highlights the Investors & Industry panel, which addressed the challenges of bringing circular solutions to market, focusing on financing, risk and industrial adoption.
The discussion highlighted that while many promising solutions are being developed, their transition from low to mid Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) to fully scalable business cases remains a key bottleneck. Panelists emphasised that investors are increasingly interested in circular technologies, but require clear pathways to scale, validated business models and strong industrial partnerships.
Luigi Amati, META Group & Business Angels Europe, stressed the importance of connecting innovation with investment readiness: “Capital follows clarity – when circular solutions show a credible path to scale and return, investment come.”
Yannick Willemin, founder of Catalysium, who is preparing a composites-focused capital fund, said: “Investing in low-TRL innovation is not just about the technology – it’s about the team, the roadmap and the credibility of reaching scale. I need to get to know the people behind the technology and what drives them.”
The conference was the final event of the European project RECREATE, which focused on developing technologies aimed at exploiting the potential of end-of-life complex composite waste as a feedstock for profitable reuse of parts and materials in the manufacturing industry. It was organised as part of the Challenge Circularity initiative led by Circular Business Academy.
