The Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah) and the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) are pleased to announce that Fairmat, the leading French deeptech company specializing in carbon fiber recycling, selected Utah for their first U.S. facility (Q2 2024). This expansion will leverage Fairmat's tech-enabled manufacturing processes to address carbon fiber waste in the United States.

"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.”   

Fairmat's breakthrough recycling process transforms carbon fiber composites, working with clients across industries. Their R&D investments in robotics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven manufacturing allows them to produce 100 percent recycled, high-performance repurposed materials, strengthened yet lightweight.  

This new manufacturing facility and office in the U.S. will bring Fairmat closer to the region's carbon fiber material hub and its U.S. clients. Building on its success in Europe, Fairmat will establish a high-tech closed-loop ecosystem, diverting carbon fiber materials from landfills by recycling these composites and incorporating them into product design in the U.S.

"At Fairmat, we are reinventing the recycled carbon fiber chain. 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," said Antoine de Turckheim, Fairmat U.S. country manager.

Fairmat will also provide the local Utah workforce with a unique opportunity to join a deeptech startup while at the same time an industrial company.  

Alice Balagué, Fairmat chief impact officer, highlighted the company's unique appeal: "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. Second, our focus on deep tech and industrial engineering attracts those enthusiastic about contributing to innovative solutions.”

“With the growing innovation sectors here in Salt Lake City, we’re perfectly situated and excited to welcome Fairmat to our city,” said Lorena-Riffo Jenson, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Economic Department. “The environmentally-conscious work of recycling materials that would otherwise find their way into a landfill is an appreciated addition to the business ecosystem along the Wasatch Front.”

Utah Advanced Materials Manufacturing Initiative (UAMMI) 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.

Erin Farr, vice president of business development, led Project Recycle for EDCUtah.

Investors: If you were involved in this project and would like to add your organization to this announcement, please email connect@edcutah.org.

About Fairmat

Established in 2020 by Benjamin Saada, Fairmat specializes in recycling carbon fiber, manufacturing second-gen composites, and designing circular industrial solutions. Fairmat works with clients across industries, from electronics and mobility to sports and lifestyle. Headquartered in France with a manufacturing facility, an office in Spain and over 150 dedicated employees, Fairmat is actively expanding internationally. For more information, visit Fairmat.