The production of carbon fibre has traditionally been dominated by a few companies – predominately the Japanese firms Toray, Mitsubishi and Teijin.Now, with excellent prospects for growth in carbon fibre composites, new players are entering the market.
- Last week, science and technology giant Dow announced plans for a carbon fibre production joint venture with Turkish acrylic fibre producer Aksa.
- This week, Saudi group SABIC has unveiled plans for a carbon fibre production plant in Saudi Arabia, based on carbon fibre technology from Montefibre.
- Reports in the Korean press (including the Korea Times) say that textile and chemicals company Hyosung Corp plans to establish carbon fibre production in Jeonju, Korea.
Last month, SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers (SGL ACF) – a joint venture between the SGL Group and BMW – announced the completion of its Moses Lake, Washington, USA, facility which will manufacture carbon fibre for use in the BMW i3.