Modern widebody jets like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 use carbon fiber reinforced polymers to reduce weight and fuel consumption. However, these composite materials cannot be melted down like traditional aluminum, creating a massive waste problem as these aircraft reach their end of life. Current recycling methods, such as pyrolysis and chemical solvolysis, are expensive and often degrade the quality of the recovered fibers. With thousands of composite-heavy aircraft expected to retire by 2030, the aviation industry faces a significant gap in sustainable decommissioning infrastructure.
