Zoltek says this move is in response to growing demand for low-cost carbon fibre prepreg for wind energy and other applications.
Zoltek's strategy has been to broaden the use of carbon fibre in industrial applications through low-cost and supply availability, explains Zoltek CEO Zsolt Rumy.
“Unfortunately, the current carbon fibre prepreg supply is fragmented and geared towards aerospace markets rather than industrial use," he says. "We are addressing this shortfall by consolidating the supply chain and forward integrating into prepreg manufacturing for select industrial applications.”
In addition to manufacturing carbon fibre prepreg, the new 135 000 ft2 facility will also serve as a technical centre for carbon fibre applications, specifically targeting the wind energy and automotive industries.
St. Louis is home to Zoltek’s headquarters as well as one of the company's four carbon fibre manufacturing facilities.
