What is the CRTC?
The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), is a radical innovator. We are a 501(c)3 not for profit that designs, develops and manufactures products that utilize carbon fiber scrap. We keep carbon fiber out of landfill and use it to create beautiful products. In manufacturing those products in our 25,000 square foot, state of the art manufacturing facility, we are able to provide employment to those in need. We are about sustainability, innovation and economic development.
Our expertise is in innovation, carbon fiber and creative problem solving. We find new and unique ways to use carbon fiber to help make things lighter, more durable and more functional. We have many years of experience in design, engineering and process development and can help turn visions into reality. We enjoy working with our customers and collaborators to help make beautiful and highly functional products that help to make the world a better place.
What exactly is the CRTC doing?
From its state-of-the-art facility at the Port of Port Angeles, the CRTC is developing and demonstrating new technology to convert carbon fiber scrap material into value-added consumer and industrial products. The CRTC is co-located with Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology program and laboratory facilities, where students can earn their 2-year degree in a hands-on, real-world research and manufacturing facility.
Who runs the organization?
As a 501(c)3 entity, the CRTC is managed by an appointed Board of Directors. The board works with the CRTC staff to guide programs and projects in line with the CRTC’s mission. The business is overseen by an executive team led by David L. Walter, Chief Executive Officer.
Briefly, what is the carbon fiber recycling process? What technologies do you use?
Incoming production trim, or scrap, is processed through specially designed equipment into useful forms for re-manufacturing. The processed scrap carbon fiber pre-preg is heat cured in presses or ovens to make new products.
What products have you developed??
The CRTC has scaled 18 products from concept to commercialization. These include the world's first park bench made with recycled aerospace carbon fiber, a portable pickle-ball net, an orthotic spring used in a brace to help people walk again, a camper bed panel and a hydrofoil. We have also developed products using our Advanced CLT (ACLT) that is used to help build tiny homes and other structures that can be erected quickly and are strong and durable. We are currently working on the development of a marine cable made from carbon fiber that will help to replace plastic rope in aquaculture and vertical farming applications in order to help prevent entanglement as well as help to keep micro-plastics from entering the marine ecosystem.
Who are the CRTC’s key partners?
Currently we have a Memorandum of Understanding with Toray Composite Material Americas, Inc., the largest manufacturer of carbon fiber in the world. We take their carbon fiber left over from the Boeing 777 and 787 airplane production process, and repurpose it into value-added products.
The CRTC also has a Memorandum of Understanding with ELG Carbon Fibre, Ltd. Of West Midland, UK, the largest recycler of cured carbon fiber in the world. By combining our joint offerings, we are able to provide customers with a complete recycling solution for both pre- and post-cured carbon fiber scrap.
Why is the recycling center in Port Angeles? Shouldn’t it be near the source of the scrap material?
The CRTC has multiple sources for carbon fiber material, and no one location would be close to all scrap suppliers. Transportation to the Port Angeles location requires about the same travel time for the initial sources of scrap (by truck), when considering traffic in and around the Seattle area. As the full potential of the CRTC is realized, future shipments can easily be consolidated onto barges and thus serve a very wide region, including the west coast of the US.
The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), is a radical innovator. We are a 501(c)3 not for profit that designs, develops and manufactures products that utilize carbon fiber scrap. We keep carbon fiber out of landfill and use it to create beautiful products. In manufacturing those products in our 25,000 square foot, state of the art manufacturing facility, we are able to provide employment to those in need. We are about sustainability, innovation and economic development.
Our expertise is in innovation, carbon fiber and creative problem solving. We find new and unique ways to use carbon fiber to help make things lighter, more durable and more functional. We have many years of experience in design, engineering and process development and can help turn visions into reality. We enjoy working with our customers and collaborators to help make beautiful and highly functional products that help to make the world a better place.
What exactly is the CRTC doing?
From its state-of-the-art facility at the Port of Port Angeles, the CRTC is developing and demonstrating new technology to convert carbon fiber scrap material into value-added consumer and industrial products. The CRTC is co-located with Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing – Composites Technology program and laboratory facilities, where students can earn their 2-year degree in a hands-on, real-world research and manufacturing facility.
Who runs the organization?
As a 501(c)3 entity, the CRTC is managed by an appointed Board of Directors. The board works with the CRTC staff to guide programs and projects in line with the CRTC’s mission. The business is overseen by an executive team led by David L. Walter, Chief Executive Officer.
Briefly, what is the carbon fiber recycling process? What technologies do you use?
Incoming production trim, or scrap, is processed through specially designed equipment into useful forms for re-manufacturing. The processed scrap carbon fiber pre-preg is heat cured in presses or ovens to make new products.
What products have you developed??
The CRTC has scaled 18 products from concept to commercialization. These include the world's first park bench made with recycled aerospace carbon fiber, a portable pickle-ball net, an orthotic spring used in a brace to help people walk again, a camper bed panel and a hydrofoil. We have also developed products using our Advanced CLT (ACLT) that is used to help build tiny homes and other structures that can be erected quickly and are strong and durable. We are currently working on the development of a marine cable made from carbon fiber that will help to replace plastic rope in aquaculture and vertical farming applications in order to help prevent entanglement as well as help to keep micro-plastics from entering the marine ecosystem.
Who are the CRTC’s key partners?
Currently we have a Memorandum of Understanding with Toray Composite Material Americas, Inc., the largest manufacturer of carbon fiber in the world. We take their carbon fiber left over from the Boeing 777 and 787 airplane production process, and repurpose it into value-added products.
The CRTC also has a Memorandum of Understanding with ELG Carbon Fibre, Ltd. Of West Midland, UK, the largest recycler of cured carbon fiber in the world. By combining our joint offerings, we are able to provide customers with a complete recycling solution for both pre- and post-cured carbon fiber scrap.
Why is the recycling center in Port Angeles? Shouldn’t it be near the source of the scrap material?
The CRTC has multiple sources for carbon fiber material, and no one location would be close to all scrap suppliers. Transportation to the Port Angeles location requires about the same travel time for the initial sources of scrap (by truck), when considering traffic in and around the Seattle area. As the full potential of the CRTC is realized, future shipments can easily be consolidated onto barges and thus serve a very wide region, including the west coast of the US.
