Composites can be reused both in closed-loop and open-loop processes. Source | EuCIA publication, “Composites are circular materials.”

The  European Composites Industry Association  (EuCIA, Brussel, Belgium) has published the declaration of the European Circular Composites Alliance (ECCA), a new voluntary initiative designed to advance the circularity of composite materials and fully exploit the potential of recycled composites. Stakeholders across the value chain in Europe are now being invited to sign the declaration, speak with one voice and drive collective action to realize a circular economy for composite materials.

Preparations for the official launch of the ECCA are ongoing, and the kick-off meeting is expected to take place in Q4 2025.

The ECCA was launched by EuCIA, in partnership with  JEC  (Paris, France)  during JEC World 2025  in Paris. Industry response has been overwhelmingly positive, and the letter of intent was signed by more than 100 organizations.

The published declaration of the alliance presents the core objectives of the ECCA and sets out deliverables focused on five areas:

• Design for circularity and recycling : Develop or revise guidelines for composite products
• Collection and sorting : Target improved composites waste collection and zero landfilling of composites waste
• Recycled content : Increase the uptake of recycled composites in new products
• Recycling status, R&D and investment needs : Identify untapped potential and guide investment planning;
• Monitoring : Set up a voluntary system to monitor volumes of recycled composites used in European products.

The declaration also outlines the structure and governance of the alliance and its code of ethics and conduct.

“Achieving the full circularity of composite materials will require the collaboration of all stakeholders,” states EuCIA’s president, Professor Roberto Frassine. “ECCA members will commit to this goal, working together to fully establish the circular economy for composites by implementing strategies for greater reuse, repair, repurposing and recycling, and enhancing the uptake of recycled composites in new products. Composite materials play a key role in enabling sustainable technologies across countless applications and we are committed to building circular and competitive value chains in Europe to support this.”

To read the declaration and join the alliance  visit this link . There is no membership fee.