What is Ucomposites and Their Innovative Recycling Project?
Ucomposites A/S is a true pioneer in the recycling of composites and glass fibers. Probably the largest company of its kind worldwide, it was founded back in 2008 by two Danish entrepreneurs, Jakob Grymer Tholstrup and Anders Linnet. Initially, it started as a composites trading company, but after years of dedicated research and development, something remarkable happened in 2013. Ucomposites launched the world’s first high-quality composites recycling plant of its kind. The goal? To deliver chopped glass fiber that matches virgin quality but at a cheaper price. Today, that value proposition remains strong, supplying recycled fibers with virgin quality to major industries like Automotive, Building Materials, and Oil & Gas.
Main Benefits and Key Facts About Ucomposites
Here’s a quick snapshot of what makes Ucomposites stand out:
- Headquartered and operating its main plant in southern Denmark, just 40 minutes from the key ferry point Rødby-Puttgarden, a gateway to Germany and Europe.
- Exports over 95% of its products to countries across Europe, the USA, Africa, and the Americas.
- The company’s name symbolizes a U-turn in traditional composite thinking — combining top-quality raw materials with unique fiber processing technology.
- Supplies chopped fibers to demanding Tier one customers, including the Volkswagen Group.
- In January 2023, opened a new production facility near Porto, Portugal, marking a bold expansion into a different culture and business environment.
- Completed a major project in 2024 documenting the carbon emissions of its recycled glass fiber products, following ISO 14067 standards for Product Carbon Footprint (PCF).
Ucomposites’ Strategic Location and Export Reach
Location matters, right? Ucomposites’ headquarters and main plant sit strategically in southern Denmark, just a short 40-minute trip from Rødby-Puttgarden — the ferry point that connects to Germany and the rest of Europe. This positioning is no accident. It makes exporting smoother and faster. And export is huge for them — more than 95% of their products are shipped worldwide, reaching markets in Europe, the USA, Africa, and the Americas. This global footprint shows just how vital their recycled fibers are across industries.
Breaking New Ground with the Portugal Facility
January 2023 marked a big milestone when Ucomposites opened a production plant just outside Porto, Portugal. Setting up a daughter company in a new country isn’t easy — different culture, language, and business environment all come into play. But Ucomposites took on this challenge head-on. This move wasn’t just about expansion; it was an adventure, a bold step into new territory that speaks volumes about the company’s ambition and adaptability.
Documenting Environmental Impact: The Carbon Footprint Project
In 2024, Ucomposites completed a significant project focused on sustainability — documenting the carbon emissions of their recycled glass fiber products. This Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) project follows the ISO 14067 standards, providing a cradle-to-gate carbon footprint. It’s a big deal because it offers transparency and accountability, showing how recycled fibers stack up environmentally. This kind of data is crucial for industries aiming to reduce their carbon footprint and make greener choices.
Project Impact: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Linked to Ucomposites
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure — through pioneering recycling technology and innovative fiber processing.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production — by promoting recycled materials with virgin quality.
- SDG 13: Climate Action — via detailed carbon footprint documentation and reduced emissions.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals — collaborating with major industry players like Volkswagen Group.
Interesting Industry Context: Ford F-Series Sales Milestone
While not directly related to Ucomposites, it’s worth noting the scale of the automotive industry they serve. For example, Ford’s F-Series trucks sold over 640,000 units in 2022 alone, making it America’s best-selling truck for 46 years straight and the best-selling vehicle for 41 years. Every 49 seconds, a new F-Series rolls off the lot. In January 2023, Ford even celebrated selling 40 million F-150s. This kind of demand highlights the importance of reliable, high-quality materials like those Ucomposites provides to automotive manufacturers worldwide.
