Sustainable recycling of carbon fibres has taken a significant step forward following award-winning research presented at RWTH Aachen University. ITA PhD student Sabina Dann received the prestigious MSW Award for her master’s thesis, which introduces an innovative approach to improving the durability and recyclability of carbon fibres. The award ceremony was held on November 12, 2025, in Aachen.
Advancing High-Quality Carbon Fibre Recycling
Sabina Dann’s research demonstrates that sustainable recycling of carbon fibres can be achieved through targeted electrochemical surface modification. This process makes the sizing of carbon fibres resistant to solvolysis, enabling higher-quality material recovery.
The development addresses a major challenge in the composite materials industry, where recycled carbon fibres are often downgraded in performance. By enhancing solvent resistance, the new method supports true recycling rather than downcycling, preserving fibre quality and extending product life cycles.
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Industry and Environmental Benefits
The implications for industry are considerable. Higher-quality recycling reduces material losses, lowers disposal costs, and improves economic efficiency in composite manufacturing. At the same time, environmental benefits include reduced landfill waste and more responsible resource utilization through longer fibre life cycles.
By offering a new approach to durable, solvent-resistant carbon fibre surfaces, the thesis contributes valuable knowledge to the field of advanced materials research.
International Research Collaboration
A significant portion of the research was conducted within the carbon fibre research group at the Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), part of Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
This collaboration enabled Sabina Dann to benefit from the institute’s established expertise in carbon fibre technology while strengthening international research ties between German and Australian institutions.
Recognizing Scientific Excellence
The MSW Award from RWTH Aachen University recognizes outstanding students in the field of Molecular Science & Engineering (MSE) who demonstrate interdisciplinary excellence and high scientific innovation potential in their master’s theses.
With this recognition, Sabina Dann’s research underscores the growing importance of sustainable material cycles in advanced composites and highlights the role of academic innovation in driving circular solutions for high-performance industries.
