French carbon fiber recycler opening plant in Salt Lake City

Brice Wallace 

Fairmat, a French company specializing in carbon fiber recycling, will put its first U.S. facility in Salt Lake City during the second quarter.

The announcement was made by the Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

The $2 million, 5,000-square-foot manufacturing project is expected to create 25 jobs.

Established in 2020, Fairmat specializes in recycling carbon fiber, manufacturing second-generation composites, and designing circular industrial solutions. The company has a manufacturing facility in France, an office in Spain and more than 150 employees.

This expansion is expected to bolster Fairmat’s tech-enabled manufacturing processes to address carbon fiber waste in the United States. Building on its success in Europe, Fairmat will establish a high-tech closed-loop ecosystem, diverting carbon fiber materials from landfills by recycling the composites and incorporating them into product design in the U.S.

“At Fairmat, we are reinventing the recycled carbon fiber chain,” said Antoine de Turckheim, Fairmat’s U.S. country manager. “Our ecosystem is a fully integrated infrastructure that spans the entire value chain, from research and development to design and manufacturing. Today, I am excited that our highly skilled workforce will soon provide our solutions and engineering know-how for our U.S. customers.”

The company’s recycling process transforms carbon fiber composites, allowing the company to produce 100 percent recycled, high-performance repurposed materials that are strengthened yet lightweight.

“Fairmat presents two compelling facets for our current talent and these future roles. First, our impact-driven approach appeals to professionals passionate about making a difference within a startup environment,” said Alice Balagué, Fairmat’s chief impact officer. “Second, our focus on deep tech and industrial engineering attracts those enthusiastic about contributing to innovative solutions.”

EDCUtah said the Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative organized industry support to attract a carbon fiber recycling company to Utah and brought the opportunity to EDCUtah. UAMMI’s report, “Potential for Carbon Fiber Recycling,” provided foundational research to support Fairmat’s decision to open in Utah.

“We’re thrilled to have Fairmat establish its U.S. presence in Utah,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. “Carbon fiber recycling is crucial, particularly with Utah’s strong presence of aerospace and manufacturing companies. Our state values environmental stewardship, and we hope Fairmat’s move to Utah will lead the way in attracting like-minded businesses and promoting a circular economy.”

“This partnership demonstrates how strategic economic development can support existing Utah companies and target industries,” said Scott Cuthbertson, president and CEO of EDCUtah. “Company leaders in Utah’s advanced manufacturing industry saw an opportunity to improve the carbon fiber supply chain locally. After years of collaboration to find the right solution, Utah will welcome the first carbon fiber recycling facility of its kind in the U.S.”