Zoltek Corp. (St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A.) recently announced a renewed and expanded partnership agreement with BMW Group for continued carbon fiber sales as new composite parts and components are developed. Zoltek is BMW's preferred supplier of carbon fiber for series production automobiles. According to Zsolt Rumy, no specific car models have yet been identified for the parts, and the supply arrangement is a long-term agreement contingent upon Zoltek's continued competitiveness.

Rumy says that BMW has officially informed Zoltek that its PANEX fibers meet all of the car manufacturer's mechanical performance requirements. The carmaker has produced composite parts that validate the weight reduction potential for series production cars, demonstrate outstanding crash behavior, showcase economical automated production methods and prove that carbon fiber can be cost-effective in part production. Rumy confirms that resin transfer molding (RTM) is a production method under development.

Noting that this has been a costly process for Zoltek, Rumy believes that the automotive industry ultimately will be the largest carbon fiber end consumer. Through this intensive collaborative effort with BMW, the carbon supplier has "amassed unique know-how, installed many new and critical capabilities and built the internal strategic architecture to deliver against the future demand of the auto industry," states Rumy. The agreement will not affect carbon fiber sales in 2004, but significant sales could begin to build in 2005 and beyond.

Rumy also reported that the company's prepreg line, recently moved from San Diego, Calif., U.S.A., is now up and running in its new Salt Lake City location. Prepregs, including unidirectional tapes and fabrics, are currently being produced.