For the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the front wing flaps on the VCARB01 cars driven by Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo have been manufactured using moulds made from recycled carbon fibre.
A groundbreaking project is utilizing recycled carbon fibre in the production of the VCARB F1 car. This initiative paves the way for a collaboration where the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team will send end-of-life materials to Herambiente, which will process them in an innovative recycling plant in Imola, one of the first in Europe capable of recycling carbon composite materials.
Located in the heart of Motor Valley, near the Imola circuit, a pioneering partnership for ecological transition is emerging between the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team and the Hera Group. The ambitious goal is to create a more sustainable race car by incorporating recycled and regenerated carbon fibre into the manufacturing process. This innovative recycling plant, set to start operations in Imola soon, will recover valuable carbon fibre, positively impacting sustainability and recycling by giving this crucial motorsport material a second life. Once fully operational, this partnership could save up to 150 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to planting 4,000 trees.
The agreement with the Hera Group ensures that a substantial amount of carbon fibre, which would typically be discarded, will now be recycled, generating valuable know-how for composite materials and delivering environmental and economic benefits. This initiative holds potential for future applications in the motorsport and automotive sectors.
VCARB’s Carbon Fibre Recycling Journey Approximately 50% of the carbon fibre used annually for producing our Formula 1 cars is dedicated to creating moulds and tools for laminating car components. Utilizing recycled carbon fibre in this production phase significantly reduces emissions while maintaining component performance and quality. The technical partnership with Herambiente means that moulds and obsolete components, previously destined for disposal, are now recycled.
Through a process of pyro-gasification and prepreg production, the recycled fibre returns to the Faenza factory, where it is used to produce moulds for components on Yuki Tsunoda’s and Daniel Ricciardo’s cars. These components use 85% recycled carbon fibre, resulting in an 83% reduction in emissions. Once fully operational, this mould and tool production process could reduce emissions by approximately 150 tons of CO2 annually.
“The carbon fibre recycling project developed by Herambiente aligns perfectly with VCARB and the Red Bull GmbH group’s goals of reducing CO2 emissions in the Formula 1 World Championship,” said Enrico Fastelli, Visa Cash App RB’s Facility Management and HSE Director. “Promoting the circular economy and local projects, alongside developing new technologies for sustainable motorsport, reflects VCARB’s holistic approach to addressing the global climate change challenge.”
“The partnership with Visa Cash App RB aligns with our decarbonization and circular economy goals,” commented Andrea Ramonda, CEO of Herambiente. “This strategic collaboration promotes short and circular supply chains in Italy (reshoring) and across Europe. Regenerating carbon fibre is a pioneering project that requires effective teamwork, with each partner contributing resources and expertise to achieve shared environmental, economic, and social benefits.”
