“Cieffe Thermal Systems” of Colle Umerto, Italy is one of the best-known brands in Europe for thermal processing systems. Recently Gord Montgomery of “The Monty Heat Treat News” had the chance to spend some time with the company and this included visits to some of the firm’s customers with one visit in particular being very memorable-let us elaborate;

Recently “Cieffe Thermal Systems” entered into a co-operation with a company by the name of “Curti Costruzioni Meccaniche” to supply a turnkey thermal processing system to a recycling company by the name of “Gruppo HERA”, this occurred after years of development which started with a test batch system.

“Gruppo HERA” amongst their many capabilities is one of the first companies in the world to recycle carbon fiber-carbon fiber is of course used in a number of different items including auto bodies and aerospace components for companies such as Leonardo (we have to add that carbon fiber is also used in furnace fixturing which means in theory that CFC fixtures can be recycled). This particular location is in Imola, Italy.

What you see in these pictures is one of the first thermal processing systems in the world for recycling carbon fiber. It was installed in 2024 by “Cieffe” and entered production early this year.

The system is a combination “chain drive” and “roller heath” furnace operating at 500C under an inert, nitrogen atmosphere. Scrap carbon fiber material is loaded into stainless steel baskets with 15 baskets at a time in the system with the entire process taking 2-3 hours per basket.

Currently this is the only system of its kind in Italy and quite possibly the world. Currently plans are in place for other similar systems.

We have to thank our very kind host, Mr. Angelo Scipione, Head of Sales & PM of “Cieffe Thermal Systems” for arranging this visit, Angelo is a long time veteran of the heat treat industry.

This visit took place March 12th.

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