Resin industry reprocessed

Since these composites combine non-degradable resins with plant-based degradable fibers they can neither return to an industrial metabolism nor to a natural metabolism. Unfortunately, they cannot be food stock for either system. They can only be downcycled because of their property degradation during reprocessing or incinerated to recover the energy value. 

Virgin—a resin that is in the original state as it was first packaged by the resin supplier. While it may be a prime or off-spec resin, it has not been reprocessed in any way. It is the industrial equivalent of a consumer buying something brand new in the box. Many applicahons require the use of virgin resin (Figure 3.19). 

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