The Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market size was valued at USD 231.45 Mn in 2024, and the total Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2025 to 2032, reaching nearly USD 431.58 Mn.Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Overview
Fiber Reinforced plastic recycling involves reprocessing composite waste (carbon or glass fiber embedded in plastic) into reusable materials through mechanical, thermal, or chemical methods. It supports circular economy goals by transforming end-of-life aerospace, automotive, and wind turbine components into high-value raw materials, reducing landfill waste and costs. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market is driven by stringent EU regulations, automotive/wind energy sector demand, and advanced recycling technologies such as pyrolysis, although high cost and infrastructure gaps increase. Glass-Fiber Reinforced plastic (GFRP) dominates material types due to cost-effective recycling, while mechanical recycling leads in technology. Automotive waste is the largest source, which benefits from the established collection network, and the construction filler is the top end-use. Europe has a 55% global market, led by Germany and France, with prominent players such as ELG CarbonEurope Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Update (2024)
The European Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Industry is experiencing accelerated growth driven by stringent EU landfill bans (effective 2025) and €380M in Horizon Europe funding for advanced recycling infrastructure.Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Recent Development
Year Company Recent Development March-12-2024 ELG Carbon Fibre (UK) Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling manufacturer opened a new pyrolysis plant in the UK with a €20M investment to recycle 2,000 tons per year of aerospace CFRP waste. June-5-2024 SIGRA (Germany) A leading Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling supplier launched Europe’s largest GFRP recycling facility, with a capacity of 50,000 tons per year, targeting automotive and construction waste in the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling industry. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Recent News
May 2024: France bans landfilling of composite waste, pushing €200M into pyrolysis plants. Vestas partners with chemical giants to scale up solvent-based blade recycling by 2025.To know about the Research Methodology :- Request Free Sample Report
Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Dynamics
Growing Demand from the Automotive & Wind Energy Sectors to Boost the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Growth
Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market is experiencing robust growth, driven by stringent environmental regulations like the EU Landfill Directive banning untreated FRP waste by 2025, alongside rising demand from the automotive and wind energy sectors. Advancements in recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis and solvolysis, along with industry-government collaborations promoting circular economy practices, are accelerating the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market.Cost, Quality, and Infrastructure to Create Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Challenge
The growth of Europe's Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market faces significant hurdles, including high processing costs of €1,500–€2,500/tonne for pyrolysis compared to just €1,000/tonne for landfilling (CE Delft, 2023), with only 30% of FRP waste currently recycled due to infrastructure gaps (European Composites Industry Association, 2024). The economic viability remains challenged as virgin carbon fiber (€20–€30/kg) competes closely with recycled (€15–€25/kg), while limited infrastructure - with just 5 dedicated EU recycling plants (Smithers, 2024) - and regulatory inconsistencies (40% of EU nations lack FRP recycling mandates further constrain market expansion despite rising sustainability demands.Environmental Regulations and Corporate Sustainability to Create Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Opportunity
Stringent environmental regulations and growing corporate sustainability commitments are driving significant opportunities in Europe's Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market, with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (requiring 95% material recovery by 2032) creating a robust regulatory framework that already covers over 60% of fiber reinforced plastic recycling waste streams. Emerging Opportunities in the FRP Recycling Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Driven by Regulations, Sustainability, and Wind Energy Waste
Factor Key Statistic Impact on FRP Recycling Market Environmental Regulations EU landfill bans on untreated FRP waste by 2025 Forces Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling industries to adopt recycling, boosting demand Corporate Sustainability 90% fiber recovery via pyrolysis/solvolysis Enables high-value material reuse, attracting investors Wind Energy Sector Demand 50,000 tonnes/year of wind blade waste by 2030 Creates urgent need for large-scale GFRP recycling solutions Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Segment
Based on Material Type, the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market is segmented into Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic, Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic, and Other Composites (Aramid, Basalt, etc.). Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic Segment has dominated the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market in 2024 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. Due to its extensive use in the automotive and construction sectors, it generates the highest waste volumes. Its cost-effective mechanical recycling process (3-5x cheaper than carbon fiber methods) and alignment with EU circular economy policies favoring easily recyclable materials solidify its leading position, despite growing interest in carbon fiber recycling for high-value applications. Based on Recycling Technology, the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market is segmented into Mechanical Recycling, Thermal Recycling, and Chemical Recycling. Mechanical Recycling Segment has dominated the Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market in 2024 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period, due to its cost-effectiveness and compatibility with widely used glass fiber composites (GFRP). The process, involving shredding and grinding waste into reusable fillers, requires lower capital investment (€0.5M–€1M per plant, making it ideal for construction and automotive applications. While pyrolysis and solvolysis grow for carbon fiber recovery, their higher costs (€2–€4/kg) and complex infrastructure limit adoption, cementing mechanical recycling as the preferred solution for high-volume GFRP waste streams under EU circular economy mandates.Based on Source of Waste, the market is segmented into Automotive, Transportation, Aerospace & Defense, Wind Energy (Turbine Blades), Construction & Infrastructure, Marine & Sports Equipment, and Other. The Automotive Sector Segment has dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. The automotive sector dominates Europe's FRP waste stream, producing over 40% of total recycled volume. This leadership stems from stringent EU End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) regulations mandating 95% material recovery, coupled with high glass fiber usage in vehicle components. The sector benefits from established collection networks and cost-effective mechanical recycling methods for GFRP.
Based on End-Use Application, the market is segmented into Fillers & Additives (Construction materials), Recycled Fiber Reuse (Non-structural parts), and Energy Recovery (Waste-to-energy). Fillers & Additives (Construction materials) Segment has dominated the market in 2024 and is expected to hold the largest market share over the forecast period. Due to €1.2 billion in EU circular construction funding. Automotive reuse follows at 30%, projected to supply 25% of non-structural car parts by 2025, while energy recovery remains limited to 5% under EU sustainability policies. Germany and Poland lead adoption, currently processing 60% of construction-grade GFRP waste, driven by cost-effective material solutions and strong regulatory support for circular economy practices in building materials.
Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Country Analysis
Holding over 55% global share in 2024, driven by stringent EU regulations like landfill bans and Circular Economy Action Plan targets mandating 70% composite recycling rates. The region processes 60% of the world's wind turbine blade waste, with industry leaders like Siemens Gamesa and Vestas pioneering scalable solutions. Heavy R&D investments (e.g., Horizon Europe's Fiber Use project) and mature recycling infrastructure further solidify its lead.Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Competitive Landscape
ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd. (UK) dominates carbon fiber recycling, specializing in pyrolysis-based recovery for aerospace/automotive sectors, supplying 90 %+ purity fibers at scale. SIGRA Composite (Germany) leads in glass fiber recycling, and the revenue is £2,761.2m in 2023, focusing on mechanical processing for construction fillers, leveraging Germany’s strict circular economy policies. Both companies exemplify Europe’s technological split—ELG in high-value CFRP and SIGRA in high-volume GFRP—while EU projects like FiberEUse bridge the gap with cross-industry collaborations.Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Leaders – Technological and Operational Profiles
Attribute ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd. (UK) SIGRA Composite (Germany) Core Focus Carbon fiber recycling (CFRP) Glass fiber recycling (GFRP) Recycling Method Pyrolysis-based recovery Mechanical processing (shredding, milling) Key Sectors Served Aerospace, automotive, and high-performance industries Construction, automotive, industrial fillers Fiber Purity 90 %+ purity (near-virgin quality) Lower purity (optimized for bulk applications) Revenue (2023) Not publicly disclosed (dominant in CFRP recycling) £2,761.2 million Scale Large-scale CFRP recovery (global supply chain) High-volume GFRP recycling (regional EU focus) Regulatory Driver EU circular economy policies (high-value materials) Germany’s strict recycling laws (e.g., Kreislaufwirtschaft) Key Advantage Patented pyrolysis tech; aerospace-grade output Cost-effective filler production for construction EU Project Role Likely participant in FiberEUse (CFRP focus) Active in FiberEUse (GFRP integration) Sustainability Claim Reduces carbon footprint by 90% vs. virgin CF Diverts glass waste from landfills (circular loops) Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Scope: Inquire before buying
Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Report Coverage Details Base Year: 2024 Forecast Period: 2025-2032 Historical Data: 2019 to 2024 Market Size in 2024: USD 231.45 Mn Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: 8.1% Market Size in 2032: USD 431.58 Mn Segments Covered: by Material Type Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) Other Composites (Aramid, Basalt, etc.) by Recycling Technology Mechanical Recycling Thermal Recycling Chemical Recycling by Source of Waste Automotive Transportation Aerospace & Defense Wind Energy (Turbine Blades) Construction & Infrastructure Marine & Sports Equipment Others by End-Use Application Automotive & Transportation Aerospace & Defense Wind Energy (Turbine Blades) Construction & Infrastructure Marine & Sports Equipment Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling by Regions
Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Rest of Europe)Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Key Players are:
1. SIGRA Composite – Germany 2. ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd. – UK 3. Recyclable, Carbon Fiber Ltd. – UK 4. Carbon Fiber Recycling – Netherlands 5. FiberEUse (EU-funded consortium) – Multi-country (Italy-led) 6. Composites Evolution Ltd. – UK (Recycled flax/carbon fibers) 7. ECOBULK (EU Horizon 2020 Project) – Spain/Germany 8. CFK Valley Stade Recycling (Germany) 9. Shocker Composites (Netherlands) 10. ERCOM Composite Recycling (Germany) 11. MCR Recycling (France) 12. Carbon Cleanup (Sweden)Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What drives growth in Europe’s FRP recycling market? Ans: Strict EU regulations (e.g., landfill bans), demand from automotive/wind energy sectors, and advancements in pyrolysis/solvolysis technologies propel growth, though high costs and infrastructure gaps remain challenges. Q2: Which material type dominates the market? Ans: Glass-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) leads due to cost-effective mechanical recycling and high waste volumes from automotive/construction sectors, while carbon fiber recycling grows more slowly due to complexity. Q3: Why does mechanical recycling dominate over advanced methods? Ans: Mechanical recycling’s lower cost and compatibility with GFRP make it mainstream, but thermal/chemical methods gain traction for high-value carbon fiber recovery in aerospace/automotive. Q4: Which end-use application holds the largest market share? Ans: Fillers & additives for construction materials dominate, leveraging regulatory support and low-cost integration, while non-structural automotive reuse and energy recovery lag behind. Q5: How does Europe compare globally in FRP recycling? Ans: Europe leads with 55% global share, driven by unified regulations and wind blade recycling, while North America and Asia-Pacific face fragmented policies and slower adoption. Q6: Who are the key players in Europe’s FRP recycling? Ans: ELG Carbon Fibre (UK) leads in carbon fiber pyrolysis, while SIGRA Composite (Germany) excels in GFRP mechanical recycling, reflecting the region’s material-specific strengths.
1. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market: Research Methodology 2. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Introduction 2.1. Study Assumptions and Market Definition 2.2. Scope of the Study 2.3. Executive Summary 3. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market: Competitive Landscape 3.1. MMR Competition Matrix 3.2. Competitive Landscape 3.3. Key Players Benchmarking 3.3.1. Company Name 3.3.2. Product Segment 3.3.3. End-user Segment 3.3.4. Revenue (2024) 3.3.5. Company Headquarters 3.4. Market Structure 3.4.1. Market Leaders 3.4.2. Market Followers 3.4.3. Emerging Players 3.5. Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Import Export Analysis 3.6. Mergers and Acquisitions Details 4. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market: Dynamics 4.1. Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Trends 4.2. Fiber Reinforced Plastic Recycling Market Dynamics 4.2.1. Drivers 4.2.2. Restraints 4.2.3. Opportunities 4.2.4. Challenges 4.3. PORTER’s Five Forces Analysis 4.4. PESTLE Analysis 4.5. Technology Roadmap 4.6. Regulatory Landscape 5. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast by Segmentation (Value in USD Million) (2024-2032) 5.1. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast, By Material Type (2024-2032) 5.1.1. Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) 5.1.2. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) 5.1.3. Other Composites (Aramid, Basalt, etc.) 5.2. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast, By Recycling Technology (2024-2032) 5.2.1. Mechanical Recycling 5.2.2. Thermal Recycling 5.2.3. Chemical Recycling 5.3. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast, By Source of Waste (2024-2032) 5.3.1. Automotive 5.3.2. Transportation 5.3.3. Aerospace & Defense 5.3.4. Wind Energy (Turbine Blades) 5.3.5. Construction & Infrastructure 5.3.6. Marine & Sports Equipment 5.3.7. Others 5.4. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast, By End-Use Application (2024-2032) 5.4.1. Recycled Fiber Reuse (Non-structural parts) 5.4.2. Energy Recovery (Waste-to-energy) 5.4.3. Fillers & Additives (Construction materials) 5.5. Europe Fiber Reinforced Plastic recycling market Size and Forecast, by Country (2024-2032) 5.5.1. Germany 5.5.2. France 5.5.3. UK 5.5.4. Italy 5.5.5. Spain 5.5.6. Sweden 5.5.7. Austria 5.5.8. Netherlands 5.5.9. Rest of Europe 6. Company Profile: Key Players 6.1. ELG Carbon Fibre Ltd. 6.1.1. Company Overview 6.1.2. Business Portfolio 6.1.3. Financial Overview 6.1.4. SWOT Analysis 6.1.5. Strategic Analysis 6.1.6. Recent Developments 6.2. SIGRA Composite 6.3. Carbon Fiber Recycling (CFR) 6.4. FiberEUse Consortium 6.5. Composites Evolution Ltd. 6.6. ECOBULK Consortium 6.7. Recyclable Carbon Fiber Ltd. 6.8. CFK Valley Stade Recycling 6.9. Shocker Composites 6.10. ERCOM Composite Recycling 6.11. MCR Recycling 6.12. Carbon Cleanup 7. Key Findings 8. Analyst Recommendations
