US Senator Cantwell led the ceremonial announcement of historic agreements between a Tennessee-based national composites manufacturing institute, the world's first facility for product development from recycled carbon, and a Washington-based college.

The agreements establish the Port Angeles, WA-based Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) as a strategic partner and West Coast satellite location for the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), and allows Peninsula College to expand their capacity to train the composites manufacturing workforce of the future, the IACMI said in a press release.

Stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, carbon fibre composites are revolutionizing the aerospace industry. But 29 million pounds of composite scrap end up in US landfills every year– a challenge the new partnership will meet head on. IACMI, CRTC and Peninsula College leadership signed three way collaboration agreements to develop nationally deployable composites recycling technologies and train the advanced composites workforce of the future.

This new partnership will add CRTC's expertise in composite recycling to The Composites Institute, and serve to broaden the national impact of the Institute while expanding the capabilities of the Port Angeles facility. CRTC will serve as the West Coast "portal" for the Institute, working with other research institutions, industry and more on behalf of The Composites Institute. In addition, CRTC will have access to world-class level facilities, equipment and partners.

"Port of Port Angeles is taking the lead for the nation in solving carbon fiber recycling for manufacturing," said US Senator Cantwell. "This agreement gives the Composite Recycling Technology Center real world-class chops in solving how to break-down carbon fibre which will lead to jobs."

The Composite Recycling Technology Center is the world's first facility to divert uncured carbon fiber scrap from the landfill into innovative new products. IACMI-The Composites Institute, is the fifth Institute in the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation, with a focus deployment of advanced composites in clean energy technologies. It's supported by the US Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office and was created by the federal government to support US manufacturing by accelerating the development and commercial use of composites.

"This new partnership will help drive advancements across the board in clean energy innovations," said Dr. Mark Johnson, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Office, US Department of Energy. "It represents tremendous potential to innovate in the US and coordinate with groups across the nation to unlock this potential for a cleaner, safer, and economically secure future."

Last week, the Obama Administration announced that WA based Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is part of the team awarded the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Institute, the ninth manufacturing hub to be awarded. These innovation ecosystems will work to strengthen the Pacific Northwest's leadership role in manufacturing. From aerospace to automotive, Washington State's industry and research community is leading the way in composite manufacturing innovation. Composites play a critical role in the Washington State manufacturing ecosystem and clean tech future. As the value of composites continues to transform systems through opportunities in light-weighting, recycled carbon fiber offers exciting possibilities for fuel, energy and emission savings.

Craig Blue, CEO of The Composites Institute, agreed, stating, "This collaboration reinforces our mission to accelerate the development and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for low-cost, energy-efficient manufacturing of advanced composites, positively impacting clean energy innovation and workforce development. It also creates a satellite operation for IACMI in the Washington area and provides a presence in the Pacific Northwest, which is critical to our long-term growth strategy."

Peninsula College will support the partnership through its Advanced Manufacturing - Composite Technology program, including the first-of-its-kind Composite Recycling Certification, and hands on Composites Manufacturing Lab, to be located in the CRTC facility at the Port of Port Angeles. The program will give students hands-on training in advanced materials recycling and remanufacturing techniques. (SH)