Vitrimers, a class of covalent adaptable networks, have emerged as a promising alternative
to traditional thermoset and thermoplastic polymers, owing to their unique reprocessability
and recyclability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mechanical and
chemical recycling methodologies for vitrimers and their fibre-reinforced composites,
highlighting recent advancements and innovations in the field. Firstly, the review
classifies vitrimers based on their structure and dynamic covalent mechanisms and
summarises their main properties. Subsequently, it gives an overview of the conditions
and outcomes of both mechanical and chemical recycling processes for vitrimers. Then,
after summarising the processing methods of vitrimer composites, it explores mechanical
composite recycling techniques, which, while straightforward, often lead to diminished
mechanical properties due to fibre length reduction. In contrast, chemical composite
recycling methods demonstrate superior potential for preserving fibre integrity and
recovering original monomers for closed-loop synthesis. Key studies showcasing successful
recycling processes are discussed, underscoring the importance of developing closed-loop
systems to enhance sustainability in material applications. Ultimately, this review
aims to highlight the critical advancements in recycling strategies for vitrimers,
positioning them as a vital component of sustainable composite material development.
