The startup develops recycling technology that converts industrial waste into secondary raw materials, specifically focusing on the production of recycled carbon fiber. This process enables clients to efficiently recover valuable metals and chemical elements from their waste streams, enhancing resource recovery and sustainability.
Funding
$7.4M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
The production of virgin carbon fiber is energy-intensive and relies heavily on petroleum, resulting in a high environmental impact. Furthermore, a significant portion of carbon fiber composite waste ends up in landfills or incinerated due to the lack of viable recycling solutions. This represents a loss of valuable material and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Solution
Extracthive addresses these challenges with its PHYre® technology, a solvent-based process for recycling carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) from both production and post-consumer waste. This innovative solvolysis process reclaims clean, undamaged carbon fibers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to virgin fiber production. The recycled carbon fiber maintains mechanical properties comparable to virgin fiber and can be used in various semi-finished products. By providing a scalable and environmentally friendly recycling solution, Extracthive enables composite manufacturers to manage their waste streams effectively and promotes a circular economy.
Target Audience
Extracthive's primary customers are composite manufacturers in industries such as automotive, sports & leisure, medical, aeronautics, wind energy, hydrogen storage, civil engineering, electrical & electronics, and aerospace & defense seeking sustainable and high-quality recycled carbon fiber solutions.
Features
- PHYre® technology: A patented solvent-based recycling process for CFRPs.
- Recycled carbon fiber with mechanical properties comparable to virgin fiber (95% module, 100% strain at break).
- Up to 90% reduction in GHG emissions compared to virgin carbon fiber production.
- Production of long carbon fiber (PHYre® DRY), chopped carbon fiber (PHYre® CSM), and carbon micro fiber (PHYre® CMF) products.
- Compatibility with various manufacturing processes, including non-woven production, sheet molding compound, bulk molding compound, thermoplastic compounding, and infusion processes.
- Fiber surface treatments optimized for matrix adhesion in thermoset and thermoplastic applications (epoxy, polyamide, vinyl ester, polypropylene).