Produce lightweights the responsible way
How are hybrid fibres sustainable?
Lightweighting
Lighter things require less energy to be moved around. Lighter bicycles are faster. Lighter cars consume less fuel or drive further on a single charge. Lighter planes carry more people and cargo.
Efficiency in production
Roughly half of global heat production is used in industrial processes; composites manufacturing is no exception, as many processes use heat to melt plastics or liquify and cure resins. Antefil fibres can be converted into lightweight structures using the fastest, most energy-efficient processes known to the industry. Even when replacing resin-based methods, the higher temperatures needed are offset by faster production cycles — meaning the total heat used per part is less, which lowers the power bill and helps the planet.
Thermoplastics are the future
Thermoplastics are the type of plastic familiar from everyday life, e.g. PET bottles. They melt when heated, meaning they can be processed quickly without any chemical reactions, can be welded, and — crucially — can be recycled. Today, 61% of composites are made from unrecyclable resins, which only allow recovery of the reinforcing fibres while the cured resin is burned or dissolved. Thermoplastics offer additional routes, some of which are truly circular for the entire composite, not just the fibres.
Glass over carbon
Carbon fibres are around 30% lighter than glass fibres and about three times as stiff. But glass fibres withstand roughly the same loads before they break and are 10 to 100 times cheaper. Producing one ton of glass fibre emits 92% less CO2 than producing the same amount of carbon fibre. So, unless you need the absolutely lightest and stiffest part for your application, go with glass — as we do.