 Consultant and Peninsula College instructor Norm Nelson watches on as Joel Lippold, product developer with the Composite Recycling Technology Center, makes a construction composite panel Monday as part of CRTC’s research and development effort. CRTC plans to unveil its first product, a high-performance sporting good, in the coming months. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News) David Walter said Monday he will be replaced as board chair by Anson Fatland, who has been on the CRTC board of directors since 2015.
PORT ANGELES — The Composite Recycling Technology Center’s board chairman has stepped down to become the new chief operations officer, the nonprofit announced Monday. David Walter, CRTC’s new COO, said in a joint Clallam County and Port of Port Angeles meeting Monday he will be replaced as board chair by Anson Fatland, who is the associate vice president for innovation and research partnerships at Washington State University... CLICK HERE for more Information
0 Comments
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, September 21, 2016 PORT ANGELES – The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) has earned a $1.73 million state grant to fund advanced manufacturing equipment at its new Port Angeles facility. The grant by the Washington State Department of Commerce, from its Clean Energy Fund 2 program, will allow purchase and installation of equipment to recycle carbon fiber scrap from the aerospace industry into value-added products. Production at the site should begin by the end of this year, creating more than 20 jobs by the end of 2017. The facility’s product offerings will focus long-term on clean-energy applications, with specific products yet to be announced. This grant was made possible by matching funds provided by the Port of Port Angeles through a series of Economic Development Services Agreements with the CRTC. The CRTC, an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, was launched by the Port of Port Angeles as an economic development initiative to respond to the growing need of the composite and aerospace industries to recycle and reuse remnants from their production processes. The award marks a “giant stride” for CRTC as it launches a groundbreaking industry based on reusing premium aerospace materials that goes to landfill today, said Bob Larsen, CRTC CEO. “This grant is one of the last pieces of the puzzle to enable CRTC to become the source of new jobs and economic development for our community and county,” Larsen said. “CRTC is now poised to accelerate its production plans and increase the number of jobs it creates in the coming year.” CRTC moved into a new production facility on 18th Street in Port Angeles in August. CRTC is the only facility in the world to divert uncured carbon fiber composite scrap from landfills and transform it into consumer products. The material – lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel – is used to create lightweight airplane and automobile parts, but up to 30 percent of it ends up as manufacturing scrap. Colleen McAleer, the Port of Port Angeles Commission President, said she couldn't be more delighted. “This has been a long time coming. The CRTC team and our Port staff have worked diligently for years to bring this opportunity to fruition,” McAleer said. “The extensive funding for the equipment from our partners at the Department of Commerce will now allow the vision for an innovative product and job producer to become a reality for our community." As it finds new uses for aerospace industry composite waste, the CRTC production process using recycled carbon fiber uses only 10 percent of the energy needed for like products made from virgin carbon fiber. With the CEF2 funding, CRTC will greatly expand its production capability while boosting the Clallam County economic and employment base. “CRTC remains focused on our strategic plan and delivering on its promise to create jobs and drive economic development in Clallam County,” said David Walter, Chairman of the CRTC's Board of Directors. “The Board applauds this vote of confidence by the Department of Commerce and we are very grateful to the Port, County, City, and Peninsula College for all of their excellent support. We also thank and recognize the entire CRTC team for all their hard work and diligence that has gotten us to this point.” US carbon fiber waste is estimated at 29 million pounds per year, with 2 million pounds per year produced in Washington state – a volume expected to double over the next five to eight years, with the expansion of regional manufacturing. CRTC has a supply agreement with Toray Composites America, and discussions are underway with other major carbon fiber scrap producers in Washington and in other parts of the country. This award enables the CRTC to develop the production process and associated machinery to take advantage of the world-wide opportunity of carbon fiber scrap going to landfills. Funding for the new recycling facility and campus was provided to the Port of Port Angeles by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Clallam County Opportunity Fund with the City of Port Angeles providing significant in-kind support. 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 CRTC provides students with unequaled opportunities for internships, manufacturing and R&D experience, and exposure to production operations. For more information, see the Department of Commerce's website. ##### For additional information: Contact: Penny Thomas, commerce Press Office, (206) 256-6106 Contact: Bob Larsen, CEO, (844) 610-2673 About the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC): CRTC is an innovative non-profit company founded in 2015 whose mission is to lead and grow a composite recycling industry that diverts carbon fiber scrap destined for landfills, and turns it into value-added products. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel with significantly lower weight (up to 75% less) the product applications in segments like transportation, clean tech and high performance sporting goods are boundless. The CRTC will accomplish its mission through direct product manufacturing and by providing research and development to advance the recycled composites industry. 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, WA State’s Clean Energy Fund, Clallam County, and City of Port Angeles. Find out more at compositerecycling.org PORT ANGELES – The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) has announced that David L. Walter, who has been the Chairman of the Board since April of 2016, has stepped down to become the Chief Operations Officer of the CRTC. Dr. Anson Fatland, who is the Associate Vice-President for Innovation and Research Partnerships at Washington State University and who has been on the Board of Directors of the CRTC since 2015, has assumed the Chairman of the Board role vice David Walter. Anson has vast business and technical experience having worked in biotech, venture capital, and philanthropy. He has led efforts from the bench-to-bedside in the development of therapeutics and has helped start companies in the life sciences and alternative energy realms. “CRTC is trying to demonstrate that a market exists for products made from carbon fiber scrap; it is the first company in the world to take on this significant challenge. The executional risk in our business is very high and we have to get it right. While we will miss the outstanding leadership that Dave gave our Board and our business, we are pleased to take advantage of his significant expertise in business leadership, product development and project management to help the CRTC achieve the critical milestones that are before us. We very much appreciate his dedicated service to the Board and the CRTC and thank him for his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team be successful” said Anson Fatland, Chairman of the Board. “I am delighted to have someone of Dave’s caliber join our team and help to lead our business. His high energy, team building and excellent business skills will really assist our organization and will help position us for great success in the future. We are also very pleased to have Anson assume the Chairman’s role. His knowledge, experience, wisdom and business acumen will continue to help ensure that we scale the business successfully, maximize results and take this clean energy enterprise on to new heights. It also shows the kind of deep talent that the CRTC has attracted” said Robert Larsen, CEO. About the CRTC: Founded in September 2015, the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) is an innovative non-profit company whose mission is to lead and grow a composite recycling industry that diverts carbon fiber scrap that is destined for landfill, and turns it into value-added products. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel with significantly lower weight (up to 75% less), the product applications in segments like transportation, clean tech and high performance sporting goods are boundless. The CRTC will accomplish its mission through direct product manufacturing, making specially-developed production equipment for recycling carbon fiber available to those seeking to replicate its capabilities, by providing technical design services, and by making low-cost recycled carbon fiber feedstock available for other manufacturers to utilize. The CRTC’s start-up has been made possible by the Port of Port Angeles, which pioneered the concept of composite recycling in Clallam County and obtained grant support from Clallam County, Washington State's Clean Energy Fund, and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to complete CRTC’s facility, which opened in August of 2016. Other significant CRTC partners include Peninsula College, whose composite workforce training program will be co-located with the CRTC, Washington State University, and other research and industry partners throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information on the CRTC, please visit our website at www.compositerecycling.org or contact David Walter at 360-477-1560 or dwalter@compositerecycling.org.  For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 25, 2016 Plans announced for November Grand Opening and Product Launch Port Angeles, WA— Thursday, August 25, 2016 -- Port Angeles and Clallam county leaders gathered Thursday to celebrate the completion of a new advanced manufacturing center that will bring jobs and economic development to the region. The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) is the only facility on the planet to transform uncured carbon fiber composite scraps previously bound for landfills into new products. Thursday’s ribbon cutting was a celebration for local leaders that will be followed by the grand opening in November, which will bring state, federal, and international participants to the facility. The Port of Port Angeles led the initiative to establish the infrastructure for the new building, and to launch what is now the independent non-profit CRTC. Not only will the facility bring new jobs to Clallam County, it also will house Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing – Composite Technology program to give students classroom and hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. The event focused on celebrating with the local community that came together in a unique public-private partnership to establish a state-of-the-art facility for advanced manufacturing and composite recycling on the Port’s Composite Manufacturing Campus. Speakers also highlighted future plans and how the CRTC and Peninsula College will be employed as an economic development engine for Clallam County going forward. The Port of Port Angeles received funding for the new facility through a $2M grant from the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration; $1M from the WA Department of Commerce, Clean Energy Fund, and $1M from Clallam County Opportunity Funds. Additional support for improvements to the Composite Manufacturing Campus and new facility was provided by the City of Port Angeles in the form of services for utility infrastructure, road infrastructure improvements, and in-kind staff support. The Port of Port Angeles provided funding for architectural design and engineering work, as well additional costs that were not included in the grant funding. These costs included funding for 91 kilowatts of installed solar photovoltaic capacity on the roof of the facility. The quantity of clean energy to be generated will offset some of the energy that will be consumed by the CRTC equipment for product manufacturing. The solar panels have already generated 22,000 kWh of clean electricity, and offset 38,000 lbs of CO2. The Port has also committed to an “Economic Development Services Agreement” with the CRTC. The full value of the commitment over three years (2015-2017) totals $1.9M, including in-kind contributions. This funding is being offered as match to the WA Department of Commerce, Clean Energy Fund for a pending grant request of equal value. The new funding will be utilized by CRTC to purchase equipment for advanced manufacturing and R&D utilizing carbon fiber scrap. Port Commissioner Connie Beauvais said, “The CRTC is the perfect example of how thinking outside the box can bring economic prosperity to Clallam County. We gathered forces in the community to form an impressive public-private partnership to launch this new initiative in composite recycling.” The CRTC has successfully moved into their new space and is ramping up for start of production and product launch, which will be celebrated at a Grand Opening ceremony in November. The CRTC will take uncured carbon fiber scraps, diverted from landfills, and utilize it in direct manufacturing of new products. In addition to product manufacturing, CRTC is engaged in research and development (R&D) efforts to advance the composite manufacturing industry. CRTC recently announced an agreement with IACMI –the National Composite Institute -- which has already resulted in funding for a research and development project involving automotive lightweighting through the use of recycled carbon fiber materials. This project is being led by Toray Composites Americas (Tacoma, WA based carbon fiber producer and MOU partner to CRTC) in collaboration with several other Washington State companies and additional partners. “Innovative products made from recycled carbon fiber provide this region with opportunities for transforming our economy, attracting and training the best and brightest, and leading the nation in sustainable composites manufacturing.” said Robert Larsen, CRTC CEO. In addition to the CRTC, the new facility also houses Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing – Composite Technology program with space for classrooms, offices, and lab facilities. This program includes the first-of-its-kind Composite Recycling Certification, and hands-on composites manufacturing Lab. The program gives students classroom and hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. Peninsula College has relocated their full composites program into the state of the art facility on the Port’s Composite Manufacturing Campus, in time for start of classes the next quarter. The co-location with CRTC provides students with unequaled opportunities for internships, hands on manufacturing and R&D experience, and exposure to production operations. “We’re excited to be participating in the development of the CRTC as a key educational partner,” said Luke Robins, President of Peninsula College. “Partnerships such as the CRTC create great synergy between public and private entities, provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students, and can be dynamic catalysts for economic development for our region. We look forward with great anticipation as the CRTC develops and matures.” “It’s exciting that Port Angeles has the only facility in the world to recycle un-cured carbon fiber composite into new products, and even better to see that this effort is bringing good jobs into our region as well as training the next generation of workers,” said Clallam County Commissioner Bill Peach. “CRTC is a great example of how working together is powerful and can bring good jobs to our region. Because of the strong partnerships among the County, City, Port and Peninsula College, we were able to attract federal, state, local and private investment that will result in good jobs and economic growth,” said City of Port Angeles Mayor Patrick Downie. ### For media inquiries, please contact: Holly Hairell, Port of Port Angeles (360) 417-3454 hollyh@portofpa.com Jennifer States, Composite Recycling Technology Center (509) 554-1037 jstates@compositerecycling.org Kari Desser, Peninsula College kdesser@pencol.edu About the Port of Port Angeles: The Port of Port Angeles is a municipal corporation established in 1923, following approval of Clallam County voters.The Port is responsible for promoting and enhancing the economic vitality of Clallam County through business development and job creation, and serves the community as both a public steward and an economically self-sustaining enterprise. The Port operates, manages, and makes capital investments in four lines of business: marine facilities, marinas, airports, and industrial properties. These businesses include four marine terminals, two airports, two marinas, three industrial business parks, and several other industrial and commercial properties. Find out more at www.portofpa.com About the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC): CRTC is an innovative non-profit company founded in 2015 whose mission is to lead and grow a composite recycling industry that diverts carbon fiber scrap destined for landfills, and turns it into value-added products. Since carbon fiber is stronger than steel with significantly lower weight (up to 75% less) the product applications in segments like transportation, clean tech and high performance sporting goods are boundless. The CRTC will accomplish its mission through direct product manufacturing and by providing research and development to advance the recycled composites industry. 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, WA State’s Clean Energy Fund, Clallam County, and City of Port Angeles. Find out more at compositerecycling.org About Peninsula College: Peninsula College provides educational opportunities in the areas of academic transfer, professional and technical, basic skills, and continuing education. Their Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology Program prepares students for the wide-ranging field of composite structure fabrication and repair. Through classroom work and hands-on training, the program equips students with skills necessary for employment in the aerospace, marine, and recreational equipment industries, as well as many others that use composite materials. More information on their Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology Program can be found at: pencol.edu/proftech/composites-technology Knoxville, TN, July 5, 2016… IACMI-The Composites Institute, in partnership with Toray Composites (America), Inc. (TCA), is pleased to announce the launch in a strategic project aimed to decrease cost of carbon fiber automotive structural parts by 15% for target components.
The newest IACMI project will address the challenge of decreasing cost and cycle times limit the use of carbon fiber in automotive structural parts. This project, in collaboration with TCA, Zoltek, Reichhold, Janicki Industries, Globe Machine Manufacturing Co., the Composite Recycling Technology Center(CRTC), American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), andMichigan State University (MSU), is taking a supply chain, ecosystem-based approach to integrate material selection, molding methods, and preform design patterns with waste stream utilization. The integrated supply chain-based improvements will be tested in phase one of the project through flat panel demonstration. Project conclusions are expected to positively impact automotive manufacturing by optimizing high speed processing and advancing recyclability of automotive parts. Since IACMI’s launch in June 2015, industry partners have been eager to submit project proposals to leverage IACMI resources and collaborate with members on the deployment of high impact advanced composites. “By partnering with industry to solve composite materials manufacturing challenges, we’re advancing clean energy innovations that will help United States vehicles to meet energy saving CAFÉ standards required in 2025,” said Craig Blue, IACMI-The Composites Institute CEO. IACMI announced a call for project proposals within four months of institute funding. Through collaboration between key members, there are now multiple project agreements in place expected to progress the application and development of high impact advanced composites. About IACMI-The Composites Institute: The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), is a partnership of industry, universities, national laboratories, and federal, state and local governments working together to benefit the nation’s energy and economic security by sharing existing resources and co-investing to accelerate development and commercial deployment of advanced composites. CCS is a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation. The national institute is supported by a $70 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and over $180 million committed from IACMI’s partners. Find out more at IACMI.org. About TCA: TCA was first established in 1992 to enable an efficient supply stream of Toray's carbon fiber composite materials. First used on the Boeing 777, Toray's advanced Carbon Fiber composite materials are now incorporated into the 777 and 787 primary structure and will be used on the new 777X wing. TCA supplies a diverse customer base both domestically and internationally and is a major exporter from Washington State. TCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Akihiro Nikkaku), located in Tacoma, WA. TCA manufactures industry-leading carbon fiber prepreg materials for aerospace, automotive, industrial, and sporting goods applications. Find out more at: https://www.toraycompam.com/  Photo: (Front L-R): Dr. Mark Johnson, Director of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office; Dr. Luke Robins, President, Peninsula College; Dr. Craig Blue, IACMI-The Composites Institute CEO; Robert Larsen, CRTC CEO
(Back L-R): Colleen McAleer, Port of Port Angeles President; Maria Cantwell, State of Washington Senator; Brian Bonlender, Washington State Department of Commerce Director Pioneering Partnerships Announced for Composite Recycling Agreements forge new partnerships for carbon fiber recycling and workforce development (Port Angeles, WA) July 1, 2016– Senator Cantwell led the ceremonial announcement of historic agreements between a Tennessee-based national composites manufacturing institute, the world’s first facility for product development from recycled carbon, and a Washington-based college. The agreements establish the Port Angeles, WA-based Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) as a strategic partner and West Coast satellite location for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and allows Peninsula College to expand their capacity to train the composites manufacturing workforce of the future. Stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, carbon fiber composites are revolutionizing the aerospace industry. But 29 million pounds of composite scrap end up in US landfills every year– a challenge the new partnership will meet head on. IACMI, CRTC and Peninsula College leadership signed three way collaboration agreements to develop nationally deployable composites recycling technologies and train the advanced composites workforce of the future. This new partnership will add CRTC’s expertise in composite recycling to The Composites Institute, and serve to broaden the national impact of the Institute while expanding the capabilities of the Port Angeles facility. CRTC will serve as the West Coast “portal” for the Institute, working with other research institutions, industry and more on behalf of The Composites Institute. In addition, CRTC will have access to world-class level facilities, equipment and partners. “Port of Port Angeles is taking the lead for the nation in solving carbon fiber recycling for manufacturing,” said U.S. Senator Cantwell. “This agreement gives the Composite Recycling Technology Center real world-class chops in solving how to break-down carbon fiber which will lead to jobs.” The Composite Recycling Technology Center is the world’s first facility to divert uncured carbon fiber scrap from the landfill into innovative new products. IACMI-The Composites Institute, is the fifth Institute in the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation, with a focus deployment of advanced composites in clean energy technologies. It’s supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and was created by the federal government to support US manufacturing by accelerating the development and commercial use of composites. “This new partnership will help drive advancements across the board in clean energy innovations,” said Dr. Mark Johnson, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy. “It represents tremendous potential to innovate in the US and coordinate with groups across the nation to unlock this potential for a cleaner, safer, and economically secure future.” Last week, the Obama Administration announced that WA based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is part of the team awarded the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the ninth manufacturing hub to be awarded. These innovation ecosystems will work to strengthen the Pacific Northwest’s leadership role in manufacturing. From aerospace to automotive, Washington State’s industry and research community is leading the way in composite manufacturing innovation. Composites play a critical role in the Washington State manufacturing ecosystem and clean tech future. As the value of composites continues to transform systems through opportunities in light-weighting, recycled carbon fiber offers exciting possibilities for fuel, energy and emission savings. “Washington’s Clean Energy Fund is helping communities across the state, and nowhere is this better exemplified than in Port Angeles,” said Brian Bonlender, director of the Washington Department of Commerce, which administers the fund through the State Energy Office. “This facility shines a light on Washington as home to communities that are shaping the future of manufacturing and clean technology.” Craig Blue, CEO of The Composites Institute, agreed, stating, “This collaboration reinforces our mission to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced composites, positively impacting clean energy innovation and workforce development. It also creates a satellite operation for IACMI in the Washington area and provides a presence in the Pacific Northwest, which is critical to our long-term growth strategy.” “Innovative products made from recycled carbon fiber provide this region with opportunities for transforming our economy, attracting and training the best and brightest, and leading the nation in sustainable composites manufacturing.” said Robert Larsen, CRTC CEO. “We are pleased to partner with The Composites Institute, a like-minded organization committed to innovation and a green industry future. Our collaboration with Peninsula College will provide the critical workforce needed for success.” Peninsula College will support the partnership through its Advanced Manufacturing – Composite Technology program, including the first-of-its-kind Composite Recycling Certification, and hands on Composites Manufacturing Lab, to be located in the CRTC facility at the Port of Port Angeles. The program will give students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. “We’re excited to be participating in the development of the CRTC as a key educational partner,” said Luke Robins, President of Peninsula College. “Partnerships such as the CRTC create great synergy between public and private entities, provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students, and can be dynamic catalysts for economic development for our region. We look forward with great anticipation as the CRTC develops and matures.” The ceremony was held at the multimillion dollar CRTC facility, which broke ground in September 2015. The doors were opened for this event, with a Ribbon Cutting celebration planned for late summer. The CRTC facility complements the needs of The Composites Institute members and supporters across the national composites network. About IACMI-The Composites Institute: The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), is a partnership of industry, universities, national laboratories, and federal, state and local governments working together to benefit the nation’s energy and economic security by sharing existing resources and co-investing to accelerate development and commercial deployment of advanced composites. CCS is a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation. The national institute is supported by a $70 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and over $180 million committed from IACMI’s partners. Find out more at IACMI.org. About the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC): CRTC is an innovative non-profit company founded in 2015 whose mission is to lead and grow a composite recycling industry that diverts carbon fiber scrap that is destined for landfill, and turns it into value-added products. The CRTC will accomplish its mission through direct product manufacturing, by providing technical design services, and by making low-cost recycled carbon fiber feedstock available for other manufacturers to utilize. The CRTC is supported by a $1.9M commitment from the Port of Port Angeles, with infrastructure investment from partners at the US Department of Commerce-Economic Development Administration, WA State’s Clean Energy Fund, Clallam County, and City of Port Angeles. Find out more at compositerecycling.org. About Peninsula College: Peninsula College provides educational opportunities in the areas of academic transfer, professional and technical, basic skills, and continuing education. Their Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology Program prepares students for the wide-ranging field of composite structure fabrication and repair. Through classroom work and hands-on training, the program equips students with skills necessary for employment in the aerospace, marine, and recreational equipment industries, as well as many others that use composite materials. More information on their Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology Program can be found at: pencol.edu/proftech/composites-technology Reporting Media: http://iacmi.org/2016/07/01/pioneering-partnerships-announced-composite-recycling/  Cantwell: National Collaborative Agreement Will Make Port Angeles a Leader in Carbon Fiber Recycling
Carbon Fiber Recycling in Port Angeles Will Create Jobs, Grow Economy Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) joined officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Port Angeles region to create a new partnership on carbon fiber recycling. The agreement establishes the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) as a strategic partner and as a West Coast satellite location for DOE’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), which is based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The signed memorandum of understanding will foster the partnership between the CRTC and the IACMI, allowing them to share research and development facilities, as well as opportunities for funding and workforce training in the field of carbon fiber recycling. The agreement also allows Peninsula College to expand their capacity to train the composites manufacturing workforce of tomorrow. “Port of Port Angeles is taking the lead for the nation in solving carbon fiber recycling for manufacturing,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This agreement gives the Composite Recycling Technology Center real world-class chops in solving how to break down carbon fiber, which will lead to jobs.” The global composites market is expected to reach more than $27 billion by 2016. It is a critical focus of economic development in the United States because it creates high-paying jobs and many other economic benefits, such as fuel savings and reduced emissions. “The Pacific Northwest is primed to be a key center for composite materials and advanced manufacturing," said Mark Johnson, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at DOE. “The new partnership between the CRTC and the Composites Institute will link these great innovators to a national network driving technology innovation, workforce development and manufacturing advancements for the future.” The CRTC is the world’s first facility to develop carbon fiber composite scrap materials into useful, innovative products that can be used in the automotive, energy and recreational industries. Recycling carbon fiber composites saves scrap materials destined for landfills, which can reduce waste and provide significant energy savings during the manufacturing process. Recycled carbon fiber composites use only one-tenth of the energy compared to manufacturing new carbon fiber composites. “Innovative products made from recycled carbon fiber provide this region with opportunities for transforming our economy, attracting and training the best and brightest, and leading the nation in sustainable composites manufacturing," said CRTC CEO Robert Larsen. “We are pleased to partner with The Composites Institute, a like-minded organization committed to innovation and a green industry future. Our collaboration with Peninsula College will provide the critical workforce needed for success." “This collaboration reinforces our mission to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced composites, positively impacting clean energy innovation and workforce development," said IACMI CEO Craig Blue. “We’re excited to be participating in the development of the CRTC as a key educational partner," said President of Peninsula College Luke Robins. “Partnerships such as the CRTC create great synergy between public and private entities, provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students and can be dynamic catalysts for economic development for our region. We look forward with great anticipation as the CRTC develops and matures." The state of Washington has 96 composite manufacturers. It is estimated that 2 million pounds of carbon fiber scrap waste are sent to Washington’s landfills each year. If the state's carbon fiber scrap waste can be recycled, it could have a potential market value of $50 million. “We currently have many components manufactured overseas, but with the possibility of a more affordable raw material available here in Washington State, we see a significant potential for us to improve our business operations here in Sequim, by allowing us to manufacture some of these parts locally and affordably," said Batson Enterprises CEO Bill Batson. Last year, Sen. Cantwell introduced the Carbon Fiber Recycling Act (S. 1432), which would direct DOE to conduct a study on the technology and energy savings potential of the manufacturing and use of recycled carbon fiber, and also authorizes $10 million for DOE to create sector public-private partnerships to develop a carbon fiber recycling demonstration project. This legislation was included in the Energy Policy and Modernization Act (S. 2012) that passed the Senate on a bipartisan vote of 85-12 in April 2016. At a committee hearing, Sen. Cantwell invited Port Angeles Port Commissioner Colleen McAleer, who testified that “recycling composite carbon fiber scrap will not only provide essential jobs on our local economy, but promote a needed market that provides environmental benefits as well. Our port sees the CRTC as a win-win on all of these levels." During the same hearing, Sen. Cantwell also secured the DOE’s commitment to collaborate with CRTC on future research and development projects. Today’s signing of a memorandum of agreement is the culmination of Sen. Cantwell’s request and subsequent negotiations among DOE, IACMI and CRTC. In July 2015, the Port of Port Angeles was awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to retrofit their facility to house CRTC, which is expected to bring 200 new jobs to Port Angeles. # # # http://www.energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/democratic-news?ID=D7131298-E124-4D22-948D-F6259BEA0859 Collaboration allows partners to leverage their unique capabilities and resources to achieve something more than the sum of their individual parts. Our nation’s competitiveness relies on our ability to work together to innovate in areas like clean energy and manufacturing to achieve common goals and spur job creation. One such common goal is the development of revolutionary new composite materials and ways to reuse and recycle them in manufacturing.
On Friday, July 1, three partners in the composites industry came together for a ceremonial signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) commemorated by Senator Maria Cantwell and other officials at the state of the art CRTC facility in Port Angeles, Washington, which broke ground in September 2015. The collaborative agreements brought together the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and Peninsula College to develop advanced methods of recycling composite materials. The agreements establishes CRTC as a strategic partner in IACMI, and allows Peninsula College to expand their curriculum to include workforce development for composites manufacturing. Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) Director Mark Johnson noted the potential to innovate in the U.S. and coordinate with groups across the nation to unlock the potential for a cleaner, safer, and economically secure future. IACMI is one of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) institutes supported by AMO. These institutes play an important role in driving innovation within unique areas of concentration in manufacturing through strategic public-private partnerships. This new partnership will add CRTC’s expertise in composite recycling to IACMI, and serve to broaden the national impact of the Institute while expanding the capabilities of the Port Angeles facility. The agreement extends IACMI’s reach to the West Coast and brings new opportunities for manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest to utilize shared innovation infrastructure and engage with the entire advanced composites network. As part of the partnership, Peninsula College will introduce a first-of-its-kind Composite Recycling Certification, which gives students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. This certification will provide the workforce necessary to expand and commercialize composites recycling techniques. The partnership represents the potential to accelerate innovation, increase competitiveness of U.S. composites manufacturing, and ensure that the workforce can meet the needs of an evolving composites industry. To read the full press release on the collaborative agreement, click here. http://energy.gov/eere/amo/articles/new-composites-recycling-partnership-leverages-amo-s-shared-innovation By Chris McDaniel
Peninsula Daily News PORT ANGELES — An agreement was signed today creating a new partnership in carbon fiber recycling among the Composite Recycling Technology Center, Peninsula College and the Institute for Advanced Composite Manufacturing Innovation. Officials representing the three organizations signed memorandums of understanding following remarks by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, and representatives of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Port of Port Angeles in a packed room at the Composite Recycling Technology Center — referred to as CRTC — located at 2220 W. 18th St. In July 2015, the Port of Port Angeles was awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to retrofit a facility to house CRTC. Supporters say the facility will bring 200 new jobs to Port Angeles. The agreements signed today establish CRTC as a strategic partner and as a West Coast satellite location for the Department of Energy’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), which is based at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The signed memorandum of understanding will foster a partnership between CRTC and IACMI, allowing them to share research and development facilities, as well as opportunities for funding and workforce training in the field of carbon fiber recycling. The agreement also allows Peninsula College to expand its capacity to train people for composites manufacturing. “Port of Port Angeles is taking the lead for the nation in solving carbon fiber recycling for manufacturing,” Cantwell said. “This agreement gives the Composite Recycling Technology Center real world-class chops in solving how to break down carbon fiber, which will lead to jobs.” The CRTC is the world’s first facility to develop carbon fiber composite scrap materials into products that can be used in the automotive, energy and recreational industries, Cantwell said. Recycling carbon fiber composites saves scrap materials destined for landfills, which can reduce waste and provide significant energy savings during the manufacturing process. Recycled carbon fiber composites use only one-tenth of the energy compared to manufacturing new carbon fiber composites, according to a press release from Cantwell’s office. “Innovative products made from recycled carbon fiber provide this region with opportunities for transforming our economy, attracting and training the best and brightest, and leading the nation in sustainable composites manufacturing,” said Robert Larsen, the CEO of the composites center. “We are pleased to partner with the Composites Institute, a like-minded organization committed to innovation and a green industry future,” he said. “Our collaboration with Peninsula College will provide the critical workforce needed for success.” The state of Washington has 96 composite manufacturers, according to Cantwell’s office. It is estimated that 2 million pounds of carbon fiber scrap waste are sent to Washington’s landfills each year. The potential market value of recycled carbon fiber scrap waste is $50 million, supporters say. ________ Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20160701/NEWS/160709999  The agreements establish the Port Angeles, WA-based Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) as a strategic partner and West Coast satellite location for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and allows Peninsula College to expand their capacity to train the composites manufacturing workforce of the future.
Business, Innovations, Other Processing Method, Carbon FiberSenator Cantwell led the ceremonial announcement of historic agreements between a Tennessee-based national composites manufacturing institute, a facility for product development from recycled carbon, and a Washington-based college. Stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, carbon fiber composites are revolutionizing the aerospace industry. But 29 million pounds of composite scrap end up in US landfills every year– a challenge the new partnership will meet head on. IACMI, CRTC and Peninsula College leadership signed three way collaboration agreements to develop nationally deployable composites recycling technologies and train the advanced composites workforce of the future. This new partnership will add CRTC’s expertise in composite recycling to The Composites Institute, and serve to broaden the national impact of the Institute while expanding the capabilities of the Port Angeles facility. CRTC will serve as the West Coast “portal” for the Institute, working with other research institutions, industry and more on behalf of The Composites Institute. In addition, CRTC will have access to world-class level facilities, equipment and partners. “Port of Port Angeles is taking the lead for the nation in solving carbon fiber recycling for manufacturing,” said U.S. Senator Cantwell. “This agreement gives the Composite Recycling Technology Center real world-class chops in solving how to break-down carbon fiber which will lead to jobs.” The Composite Recycling Technology Center is a facility which aims to divert uncured carbon fiber scrap from the landfill into innovative new products. IACMI-The Composites Institute, is the fifth Institute in the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation, with a focus deployment of advanced composites in clean energy technologies. It’s supported by the US Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office and was created by the federal government to support US manufacturing by accelerating the development and commercial use of composites. “This new partnership will help drive advancements across the board in clean energy innovations,” said Dr. Mark Johnson, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, U.S. Department of Energy. “It represents tremendous potential to innovate in the US and coordinate with groups across the nation to unlock this potential for a cleaner, safer, and economically secure future.” Last week, the Obama Administration announced that WA based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is part of the team awarded the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the ninth manufacturing hub to be awarded. These innovation ecosystems will work to strengthen the Pacific Northwest’s leadership role in manufacturing. From aerospace to automotive, Washington State’s industry and research community is leading the way in composite manufacturing innovation. Composites play a critical role in the Washington State manufacturing ecosystem and clean tech future. As the value of composites continues to transform systems through opportunities in light-weighting, recycled carbon fiber offers exciting possibilities for fuel, energy and emission savings. “Washington’s Clean Energy Fund is helping communities across the state, and nowhere is this better exemplified than in Port Angeles," said Brian Bonlender, director of the Washington Department of Commerce, which administers the fund through the State Energy Office. “This facility shines a light on Washington as home to communities that are shaping the future of manufacturing and clean technology." Craig Blue, CEO of The Composites Institute, agreed, stating, “This collaboration reinforces our mission to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced composites, positively impacting clean energy innovation and workforce development. It also creates a satellite operation for IACMI in the Washington area and provides a presence in the Pacific Northwest, which is critical to our long-term growth strategy.” “Innovative products made from recycled carbon fiber provide this region with opportunities for transforming our economy, attracting and training the best and brightest, and leading the nation in sustainable composites manufacturing.” said Robert Larsen, CRTC CEO. “We are pleased to partner with The Composites Institute, a like-minded organization committed to innovation and a green industry future. Our collaboration with Peninsula College will provide the critical workforce needed for success.” Peninsula College will support the partnership through its Advanced Manufacturing - Composite Technology program, including the first-of-its-kind Composite Recycling Certification, and hands on Composites Manufacturing Lab, to be located in the CRTC facility at the Port of Port Angeles. The program will give students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. “We’re excited to be participating in the development of the CRTC as a key educational partner,” said Luke Robins, President of Peninsula College. “Partnerships such as the CRTC create great synergy between public and private entities, provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students, and can be dynamic catalysts for economic development for our region. We look forward with great anticipation as the CRTC develops and matures.” The ceremony was held at the multimillion dollar CRTC facility, which broke ground in September 2015. The doors were opened for this event, with a Ribbon Cutting celebration planned for late summer. The CRTC facility complements the needs of The Composites Institute members and supporters across the national composites network. http://www.jeccomposites.com/news/composites-news/partnerships-carbon-fiber-recycling-and-workforce-development |
RSS Feed