Thanks to their performance and light weight, thermoplastic and thermosetting composites are the materials of choice for applications where weight has an economic or environmental impact during the use phase. For example, 1 kg less weight in an aircraft represents a "saving" of 16 tCO2eq per aircraft per year. Composites therefore have an important role to play in extending service life and efficiency of use.

However, to take full advantage of their benefits within the framework of a circular approach, it is also important to look at the other stages of the life cycle, in particular production and end-of-life. In most cases, composites are produced from synthetic materials (fossil sources), and in some cases, their processing can generate up to 50% production losses. Last but not least, their end-of-life treatment or even recovery remains problematic, as large quantities of composites - notably aircraft and wind turbine blades - will have to be processed.

The aim of this webinar is to take stock of the advantages, disadvantages and challenges associated with the use of composites, as well as existing solutions for Rethinking, Repairing, Reusing or Recycling them.

Current and future Sirris initiatives linked to the reuse/revalorization of end-of-life composites will also be presented, to enable companies to think about replacing some of their raw materials with composites from end-of-life products (commercial aircraft, wind turbine blades...). This webinar is part of the Planum project.