Although aerospace composites waste volumes are relatively modest compared with other sectors, the materials themselves are exceptionally valuable. Successfully recovering and reusing them would demonstrate that circularity is possible even within one of the world’s most technically demanding industries.
This challenge has shaped the work of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA)’s Aerospace & Defence Working Group throughout the first half of 2026. The progress achieved, and next actions, were presented during the ECCA Mid-Year Review meeting in June.
Achieving circularity in aerospace
The group has focused on understanding how high-value composite materials can remain in productive use beyond their first application by addressing both post-industrial manufacturing residuals and end-of-service aircraft components. Rather than viewing these materials as waste, the Working Group is exploring how they can become valuable feedstocks for future applications through collaboration across the value chain.
A significant area of activity has been strengthening engagement with organisations involved in aircraft dismantling and end-of-service management, including collaboration with the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). These discussions are helping the group better understand where opportunities exist to recover composite materials, identify practical barriers and establish priorities for future demonstration projects.
Alongside this strategic work, the Working Group has placed a strong emphasis on proof-of-concept initiatives that demonstrate circularity in practice. One example presented during the Mid-Year Review combined post-industrial dry carbon fibre residuals with advanced composite technologies to create new material applications. These practical collaborations help demonstrate that high-value composite materials can continue delivering value beyond their original use and provide confidence that circular solutions can be successfully implemented.
The Working Group also recognises that achieving circularity in aerospace extends well beyond technology alone. Access to suitable material streams, collaboration between manufacturers, dismantlers and recyclers, and the ability to move materials between organisations are all essential components of a successful circular ecosystem. At the same time, aerospace is one of the most commercially sensitive sectors in the composites industry. Many organisations operate under strict confidentiality requirements and intellectual property constraints, making open collaboration more complex than in other sectors. An important role for the Working Group is therefore to create a trusted environment where members can share common challenges, identify collaborative opportunities and advance pre-competitive initiatives while fully respecting commercial sensitivities and confidentiality obligations.
Demonstrating commercially viable business models
Looking ahead, the group will continue expanding engagement with OEMs, dismantlers and international initiatives while identifying additional proof-of-concept case studies capable of demonstrating commercially viable circular business models. Further work will also focus on strengthening links with complementary European initiatives to share knowledge, avoid duplication of effort and accelerate progress across the wider composites community.
By combining practical demonstration projects with trusted collaboration across the aerospace value chain, the Aerospace & Defence Working Group aims to demonstrate that circularity can be achieved even within such a demanding industry. The lessons learned have the potential to benefit not only aerospace, but the wider composites sector as it advances towards a more circular future.
Join the Working Group
The Aerospace & Defence Working Group is coordinated by David Tilbrook of Hexcel and Gabriel Badini of Westlake Epoxy.
Join ECCA and help develop the next generation of circular aerospace solutions. Membership is free and open to stakeholders across the value chain.
The European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), a sectorial alliance of EuCIA, was launched in March 2025 in partnership with JEC to establish a circular economy for composites in Europe.
Read the Mid-Year Review updates from the four other ECCA Working Groups:
