​CRTC Launches the World’s First Park Bench Made With Recycled Aerospace Grade Carbon Fiber

Left to right: Robert Stokes, Consulting Designer & Artist, Corey Delikat, City of Port Angeles Parks and Recreation Director, Dave Walter, CRTC Chief Executive Officer, Guy Houser, CRTC Director of Engineering

Port Angeles, WA—March 12, 2018 - The Composite Recycling Technology Center is now taking orders for the world’s first park bench made from recycled aerospace grade carbon fiber.  These benches are light and extremely strong.  They do not rot, are impervious to insect damage, are easy to clean and will look great year after year, even in tough marine environments that degrade other outdoor seating. 
 
The benches’ durability makes them an outstanding value for public agencies looking for much longer replacement cycles for benches in parks, at transit stops, or other outdoor and indoor public areas.
 
The City of Port Angeles Washington will be the first to purchase these benches to replace all of its wooden benches in public parks, through a new Adopt-A-Bench program to defray costs.  Each bench has a unique ceramic plaque built into the back that can display color and graphics, making it a great outreach tool for local businesses that want to use a bench for advertisement.  The plaque will also serve as a great way to memorialize a loved one or to recognize a community hero.
 
“We are very excited about the Adopt-A-Bench program and are delighted with the CRTC bench,” said Corey Delikat, Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Port Angeles. “It is a beautiful and functional piece of art that is going to look great in all of our parks and recreation areas.”
  
The innovative benches were designed by Robert Stokes, who served as the Consulting Designer and Artist on the project.
 
​​“Carbon fiber is such an outstanding material and makes the bench so strong and light.  We really believe this has the opportunity to revolutionize the parks and recreation space,”  said David Walter, CEO of the CRTC. “Using recycled, aerospace-grade carbon fiber doubles the benefit for the environment.”
 
Those interested in purchasing a bench or learning more about the offering can visit the CRTC’s website at www.compositerecycling.org/bench. The MSRP is $4,500 per bench, with volume discounts available.
 
Those interested in the Adopt-A-Bench program with the City of Port Angeles can contact the City at 360-417-4523 or at [email protected]. 
 
For additional information:
Composite Recycling Technology Center contact: Emily Dexter at (360) 819-1204 or [email protected]
 
About the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC):
Founded in September 2015, the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) is an innovative independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, whose mission is to inspire and grow the global composite recycling community through innovation in technology and manufacturing, that transforms carbon fiber scrap into products that positively impact people’s lives and our environment. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel at one third the weight, the product applications in segments like transportation, aerospace and high performance sporting goods are
 
boundless. The CRTC is accomplishing its mission by providing direct product manufacturing and technical design services, as well as by making low-cost recycled carbon fiber feedstock available for other manufacturers to utilize.
 
The CRTC is supported through commitments from the Port of Port Angeles, with infrastructure investment from partners at the US Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration (EDA), a grant from the EDA i6 Regional Innovation Strategies Program (RIS), WA State’s Clean Energy Fund, Clallam County, and the City of Port Angeles.  Find out more at www.compositerecycling.org
 
The CRTC campus also houses Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing-Composite Technology program with classrooms, offices, and lab facilities. The program gives students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. Co-location with the CRTC provides students with unequaled opportunities for internships, manufacturing and R&D experience, and exposure to production operations.  Learn more at www.pencol.edu/composites

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