BMW And Boeing Partner On Carbon Fibre Research

BMW has partnered with aeronautics company Boeing to explore advanced manufacturing and recycling of carbon fibre.

Giants in their respective industries - and in BMW's case, a history that includes aeronautics production - the companies will also work together on developing new forms of the lightweight material.

BMW has previously invested in carbon fibre specialist SGL Group, and its new BMW i models feature extensive use of the material in their construction. 

Boeing has also increased the use of carbon fibre in its passenger jets, with a full 50 percent of the construction of its 787 Dreamliner using the material.

The research, which will take place in Washington where both companies have major facilities, will include the development of new methods for recycling excess byproduct during production, and at the end of a product's lifetime. 

"Through this cooperation we can merge know-how between our industries in the field of sustainable production solutions," BMW's Herbert Diess said.

As part of the collaboration agreement, Boeing and the BMW Group will share carbon fiber manufacturing process simulations and ideas for manufacturing automation. 

• BMW | Carbon Fibre | Manufacturing | Technology