CEAMS Shortlisted for Composites UK Circularity Award for Pioneering Work in Recycled Carbon Fibre
The Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) has been shortlisted for the prestigious Circularity Award at the 2025 Composites UK Industry Awards, recognising its groundbreaking work to unlock the full potential of recycled carbon fibre.
In collaboration with leading industry and academic partners including Cygnet Texkimp, Rochdale Development Agency, RDA, NCC, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), and the Henry Royce Institute, CEAMS has redefined what is possible with recycled carbon fibre, transforming it from a low-value byproduct into a high performance material fit for next generation applications.
Carbon fibre is essential to sectors such as aerospace, transportation, energy, and hydrogen. Yet global demand is rapidly outpacing supply, and traditional recycling methods have struggled to deliver fibres suitable for high value manufacturing. CEAMS and its partners tackled this challenge head-on by building on a breakthrough achieved by NCC, Cygnet Texkimp and UK SME B&M Longworth to reclaim continuous carbon fibres from a pressure vessel and use them in the manufacture of a new vessel.
Over four years of dedicated R&D, the consortium has:
Successfully recycled continuous carbon fibre tows with preserved mechanical integrity
Developed digital quality assurance and validation capabilities to meet industry standards
Manufactured second-life demonstrators to prove viability in advanced manufacturing
Conducted rigorous mechanical testing to confirm suitability for structural applications
This end-to-end capability marks a major leap forward in circular innovation, enabling the reuse of carbon fibre in demanding sectors and reducing reliance on virgin materials. It also positions the UK as a leader in sustainable composites manufacturing.
“CEAMS was born from the Rochdale Development Agency’s ambition to integrate national capabilities in materials characterisation, process innovation, and digital validation, delivering tangible benefits for business, people, and the economy. By convening expertise from NCC, NPL and the Henry Royce Institute the programme has established an end-to-end pathway for recycled carbon fibre, from recovery and mechanical integrity preservation to qualification and structural reuse. This nomination reflects the technical depth and collaborative strength that has brought that vision to life.” Dr Sarah Want, Innovation Director Unit M, University of Manchester SMMC and CEAMS Lead Rochdale Development Agency
Michelle McHugh, Head of Innovation at the Rochdale Development Agency, added: “This award is a testament to the power of circular innovation in driving regional prosperity. CEAMS is not only setting new standards for sustainable manufacturing, it’s creating high-value jobs, attracting investment, and positioning our region as a leader in the green economy.”
The winners of the award will be announced on 29th October 2025 at the Composites UK Industry Awards Dinner during the Advanced Engineering Show in Birmingham.