Hexcel has partnered with Lyon-based startup, Lavoisier Composites and developed Carbonium, a new generation of material sourced entirely from carbon composite by-products generated by the French aerospace sector. Carbonium reduces overall environmental impact by 40-50 per cent compared to equivalent products derived from virgin materials.

Based on the ‘climate change’ factor, the life cycle assessment carried out with Hexcel revealed that the up-cycling of by-products from the aerospace composites industry leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 13 kg per kg of Carbonium used, said Hexcel in a press release.

Hexcel supplies high-performance composite materials for the latest generation of aircraft such as the Airbus A350 XWB (53 per cent composite structure). This has greatly contributed to the reduction of the aircraft’s weight, thereby reducing its fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Composites are a significant first step towards tackling environmental and economic challenges, and eco-sourcing of the industry by-products also plays a key role.

Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials including carbon fibres, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fibre-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, adhesives, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space, defense and industrial applications.

Lavoisier Composites is a young start-up specialised in the development and manufacture of composite materials and components with low environmental impact. (PC)