Vaud cleantech Composite Recycling has reached a major milestone with the installation of its first industrial-scale recycling plant in Nantes, France. The move sets the stage for the Ecublens-based company to expand its operations and meet the growing global demand for sustainable composite waste solutions.
Composite Recycling, led by CEO Guillaume Perben, has supplied its proprietary recycling technology to Veolia’s Recyclage et Valorisation des Déchets (RVD) Centre-Ouest site. The collaboration with Veolia involves collecting composite waste from local manufacturers and processing it into reusable glass fiber and pyrolysis oil. The facility will also serve as a pilot project to map waste streams throughout the Loire-Atlantique region, paving the way for a broader network of recycling units throughout France and beyond.
“This transition to industrial-scale operations demonstrates our ability to recycle composite waste efficiently and deliver high-quality outputs,” said Perben. “By positioning our units close to waste producers, we not only streamline logistics but also minimize environmental impact.”
Composite Recycling’s innovative mobile units are designed to operate efficiently within industrial hubs, reducing CO₂ emissions from transportation while ensuring proximity to key stakeholders. The technology has already attracted the attention of major players in industries such as automotive, wind energy, marine and aerospace, with notable customers including Hitachi Energy, Arkema and Beneteau.
Scaling for global growth
Over the past three years, the company’s prototype machines have performed more than 450 recyclability tests, demonstrating the scalability and effectiveness of its process. The start-up is now preparing for further expansion into high-demand regions, including Austria, the Americas and Asia, where regulatory pressures on waste disposal create strong market opportunities.
With global composite production exceeding 10 million tons annually, Composite Recycling is strategically positioned to serve this vast market. The company plans to launch additional recycling units, refine its technology and expand its capabilities into carbon fiber recycling. A new round of financing will support these efforts and enable further scaling and entry into key markets such as the US, Canada and Japan.
