Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) have attracted attention from the aerospace industry due to their light weight, excellent mechanical properties, and resistance to corrosion. However, CFRP composites are difficult to recycle as their recycling process must be performed under extreme conditions; end-of-life regulations do not directly address the problem with reusing these composites. Thus, the objective of this study is to explore solutions that minimize the use of CFRPs and prolong their useful life in the airline industry. To achieve this goal, this work conducted a review of the state of the art of CFRP fiber recycling, emphasizing the recycling processes, restrictions, and regulations. One solution is to develop a CFRP recycling market that would allow the sequential use of recycled materials among industries in descending order of the required structural performance of the composite.

The aerospace industry currently demands environmental sustainability, especially because of the complexity of new product development, the structure of its supply chain and its commitment to product quality. The implementation of sustainable product lifecycle management (PLM) seems to be an adequate strategy for this purpose because this approach is indicated for projects that demand a holistic and sustainable production system. Hence, the aim of this study is to discuss the dynamics of integrating the managerial elements (cleaner production, green design, green supply chain management - GSCM), which are supported by traceability, in a sustainable PLM. This study explores the connections among the approaches that could help to improve the development of sustainability throughout the entire production process in the industry and along the supply chain. This integration would benefit all production stages by facilitating the implementation of PLM and increasing the quality and safety of the aerospace sector.