SGL Group has opened a carbon fiber pilot plant at its research facility in Meitingen, Germany. The plant is part of the "AirCarbon" project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, and aims to develop high-strength carbon fibers for use in aerospace. The CEO of SGL Group, Robert Koehler, highlighted the company's commitment to carbon fiber technology, stating that it has become a key technology for Germany. The plant, which cost €11m, is said to be the most advanced of its kind in the world.
Meitingen, May 27, 2011. SGL Group - The Carbon Company – officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art carbon fiber pilot plant at the Group’s central research facility in Meitingen yesterday. The new plant forms the core of the “AirCarbon” project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), in which European industrial partners led by SGL Group are for the first time developing high strength carbon fibers for use in aerospace.
Addressing almost 100 economists, scientists and politicians, Robert Koehler, CEO of the SGL Group, underlined the company’s commitment to the further development of carbon fiber technology: “Carbon fiber technology has become a key technology for Germany as an economic location. Over the past ten years in Germany alone, we have invested some €200 million in new technologies as well as research and development. These investments, combined with the bundling of our global research and development activities in the central “Technology & Innovation” research facility in Meitingen, mean that we chose the right path at the right time.”
Dr. Gerd Wingefeld, member of the Board of Management responsible for Technology and Innovation, highlighted the importance of the new carbon fiber pilot plant for product and process development: “We will develop the next generation of high performance carbon fibers in this carbon fiber pilot plant, which is the most advanced of its kind in the world.” Dr. Wingefeld went on to thank all project partners for their great commitment and praised the support from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology that made it possible to develop such high strength carbon fibers suitable for aerospace.
Data about the Carbon Fiber Pilot Plant
• Investment volume: €11 million
• Dimensions: 80 m L, 10 m H and 10 m W