Published date:06/05/2026 | Last updated date:06/05/2026
The ThermoPlastic composites Application Center, or TPAC, is leading the Low-CO2 Composite Components (LOCO3) project to demonstrate an industrial recycling route for long-fiber thermoplastic composites in automotive manufacturing.
Running from 2025 to 2027, the project aims to move beyond laboratory recycling concepts and build a more robust, scalable production chain for recycled composite components.
Turning carbon fiber and nylon waste into useful semi-products
The LOCO3 project will investigate the recyclability of carbon fiber/nylon thermoplastic composite waste, working with partners BaX Composites/BaX Kompozit and Spiral RTC.
The goal is to produce plate-based semi-products containing centimeter-long recycled fibers. These semi-products would then serve as input for automated manufacturing lines capable of producing automotive parts at higher rates and larger volumes.
From recycling concept to manufacturing chain
The project builds on earlier work in low-shear extrusion technology, which is designed to preserve longer fiber lengths during processing. That detail matters because fiber length strongly influences mechanical performance in recycled composite materials.
TPAC’s role includes:
- demonstrating the full processing chain
- studying how material input affects part performance
- optimizing processing parameters
- assessing lifecycle and environmental impact
Why this matters for automotive composites
Automotive manufacturers are under pressure to reduce both vehicle weight and material footprint. Thermoplastic composites are attractive because they offer faster processing and better recyclability than many thermoset systems.
However, recycling them into high-performance, production-ready parts remains difficult. LOCO3 is targeting that exact gap: converting waste into reliable input material for automated automotive manufacturing.
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Editorial perspective
The significance of LOCO3 is not only that it recycles carbon fiber/nylon waste. The real value is its focus on building a complete industrial chain.
For recycled composites to matter in automotive production, they must be consistent, processable and compatible with high-volume manufacturing. TPAC’s project addresses that practical challenge directly.
If successful, LOCO3 could help move recycled thermoplastic composites from sustainability claims into real automotive production systems.
Bruce Zhou is the Founder of Jota Machinery, where he leads the development of equipment for flexible packaging and advanced composite materials. With experience in composite processing since 2011, his work is centered on practical engineering, product reliability, and building long-term value for manufacturing customers worldwide.
About Bruce Zhou