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SEATTLE, Washington - BMW and a European carbon manufacturing company, the SGL group, have opened a carbon-fibre plant in Moses Lake, Washington.
It was built in the state because of cheap hydro- electric power and the state's renewable energy efforts.
It is a R700-million partnership between BMW and SGL.
Depending on its application, carbon fibre is lighter, stronger and more durable than many metals.
INCREASING
Boeing's new 787 plane is mostly carbon fibre and composites, materials used in most racing cars and now also in the commercial automotive industry.
Materials from the plant will go into plastic parts for the BMW i3, scheduled for release in late 2013, and the BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
The plant employs 80 people, but expansion is planned.
It was built in the state because of cheap hydro- electric power and the state's renewable energy efforts.
It is a R700-million partnership between BMW and SGL.
Depending on its application, carbon fibre is lighter, stronger and more durable than many metals.
INCREASING
Boeing's new 787 plane is mostly carbon fibre and composites, materials used in most racing cars and now also in the commercial automotive industry.
Materials from the plant will go into plastic parts for the BMW i3, scheduled for release in late 2013, and the BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
The plant employs 80 people, but expansion is planned.