Composite recycling plant holds ribbon cutting ceremony

The Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), along with a host of government officials from the Port Angeles, Washington, area held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new advanced manufacturing center at the Port of Port Angeles that is expected to bring jobs and economic development to the region.

The CRTC says it has the only facility capable of transforming uncured carbon fiber composite scraps previously bound for landfills into new products. The center is expected to have its official grand opening this November.

The Port of Port Angeles led the initiative to establish the infrastructure for the new building and launch what is now the independent non-profit CRTC. The new technology center also will house Peninsula College’s Advanced Manufacturing-Composite Technology program. The center will give students training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques.

To build the facility, the Port of Port Angeles received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration; $1 million from the Washington Department of Commerce, Clean Energy Fund; and $1 million from the 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 also committed to an “Economic Development Services Agreement” with the CRTC. The full value of the commitment over three years (2015-2017) is expected to be about $1.9 million, including in-kind contributions. This funding is being offered as match to the Washington Department of Commerce, Clean Energy Fund for a pending grant request of equal value. The new funding will be used by CRTC to purchase equipment for advanced manufacturing and R&D utilizing carbon fiber scrap.

In addition to product manufacturing, CRTC is engaged in research and development (R&D) efforts to advance the composite manufacturing industry.

CRTC also recently announced an agreement with IACMI –the National Composite Institute -- which has resulted in funding for a research and development project involving automotive light weighting through the use of recycled carbon fiber materials. This project is being led by Toray Composites Americas, a Tacoma, Washington-based carbon fiber producer and 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,” says Robert Larsen, CRTC CEO.

“We’re excited to be participating in the development of the CRTC as a key educational partner,” says 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.”