Japanese Carbon Fiber Occupies the Lead in Automotive Composite Market

Japan's three carbon fiber supply companies have taken the lead in the use of light and expensive automotive materials business. At the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, the Bavarian engine production company (BMW) exhibited the new electric car "i3", which is expected to be on sale at the end of 2013. According to BMW, about 30% of the car's body uses carbon fiber material, reducing its weight by about 100 kilograms. An executive from BMW stated that it is very important to try revolutionary materials to deal with electric vehicle technologies that are still in development. Toray Co., Ltd., Toho Nike Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. have achieved dominance in the global carbon fiber market with a total market share of more than 70%. Toray's carbon fiber material has been applied to Boeing's 787 twin-engine medium jet passenger aircraft, and Teijin Co., Ltd.'s Toho Co., Ltd. supplies carbon fiber materials to Airbus's new A380 four-engine jetliner. Each of the three carbon fiber material manufacturers sees the car as the next market with huge potential and is conducting research on Japanese car manufacturers.