Industries and the environment require alternative resources

Plastic is not infinitely recyclable and, despite proper disposal procedures aimed at protecting the environment and raising awareness among companies and citizens, it is now absolutely necessary to reduce its use. For decades, plastic materials have become part of our daily lives, with unfortunately not always positive effects.

The massive use of single-use products represents a serious problem for the protection of seas, oceans, and the environment in general. Curbing its excessive use has become an environmental and industrial priority.

Only a portion of the plastic placed in dedicated collection containers is actually recycled: on the one hand because many plastic materials are made up of chemical mixtures that are difficult to separate, and on the other because the recycling costs of used plastic are often high and unsustainable.

Non-recycled plastic ends up in landfills, where over time it breaks down into microplastics that contaminate water, soil, and food. Another portion is incinerated instead, with particularly negative consequences due to harmful gas emissions. All these reasons make a drastic reduction in plastic use essential in order to preserve the environment and human health.

The rise of composite materials in the global market

High-performance composite materials are taking on an increasingly central role in the global market, with a strong impact across numerous industrial sectors such as automotive, construction, and plant engineering.

These materials can be designed according to the shape, dimensions, and strength required by the final application. Their success is linked to the growing demand for lightweight, strong, and durable materials, also coming from strategic sectors such as energy and aerospace.

The increasing awareness of the advantages of advanced composites opens up significant development and profit opportunities, supporting steady market growth at both national and international levels. The preference for these materials is also due to a competitive performance-to-cost ratio.

The spread of composites is further supported by continuous research into innovative and sustainable production technologies, aimed at reducing waste and improving recycling and reuse processes. Significant progress has been made in developing methodologies to optimize the recyclability of composite components through advanced processes.

Thanks to their unquestionable characteristics, advanced composites are progressively replacing traditional materials and driving the transformation of modern industries. They are made up of fibers such as carbon, glass, boron, and ceramic, and are used in applications ranging from construction to the production of sporting equipment.

The high performance of advanced composites

The use of high-performance composites is constantly increasing, particularly in some key sectors:

• Automotive: composites are widely used for their strength and lightweight properties. They are employed in body panels to reduce vehicle weight and improve aerodynamics, as well as in interiors and suspension systems, enhancing both performance and aesthetics.
• Construction: for decades, advanced composites have played a fundamental role in the building sector, especially in structural reinforcement and the restoration of historic buildings. Fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites are used to strengthen beams, columns, and arches, while inorganic matrix composites improve the strength of masonry panels without increasing mass.
• Wind energy: the spread of wind power plants has increased the demand for materials capable of withstanding high structural stress. Wind turbine blades are made of composite materials based on resins and glass fiber, ensuring high performance and durability.
• Aerospace: composites are widely used in aircraft, satellites, and launch vehicles, including components such as engines, turbines, and landing gear.

In addition to the automotive, construction, energy, and aerospace sectors, the use of advanced composites has also grown significantly in the marine industry and the sports industry. Further confirmation of the reliability of these materials, valued for their lightness, strength, and long-term durability.