Recycling of Renewable Composite Materials in the Offshore Industry

Abstract

Recycling of composite materials, particularly renewable composites, in the offshore industry is a novel concept that is growing. It factors into the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, their waste collection, and recycling process. Thus, the disposal and collection of these FRP composite wastes is also considered. The offshore industry has moved from shallow waters to deep waters and thus lighter structures are required, like composite risers. The focus is on the influence of the applicable renewable composite materials in the composite industry, the quality of the reinforced FRP composites, and the commercial flexibility. These include wind turbine blade recycling technologies. Since chemical processes produce good quality fibers, unlike mechanical processes that produce bad quality fibers, we will look at some applications of FRP composites in the offshore industry.