SGL Group inaugurated carbon fiber pilot plant
May 27, 2011 - Germany
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.
The guests then had the opportunity to tour the carbon fiber pilot plant.
Data about the Carbon Fiber Pilot Plant
• Investment volume: €11 million
• Dimensions: 80 m L, 10 m H and 10 m W
About SGL Group – The Carbon Company
SGL Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group’s core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group’s carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group’s high-performance materials and products from an increasing number of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever other materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to their limited properties. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries. However, manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy, environmental protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the nuclear energy industry also figure among the Company’s customers.
With 45 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence. In 2010, the Company’s workforce of around 6,300 generated sales of €1,382 million. The Company’s head office is located in Wiesbaden/Germany.
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.
The guests then had the opportunity to tour the carbon fiber pilot plant.
Data about the Carbon Fiber Pilot Plant
• Investment volume: €11 million
• Dimensions: 80 m L, 10 m H and 10 m W
About SGL Group – The Carbon Company
SGL Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon-based products. It has a comprehensive portfolio ranging from carbon and graphite products to carbon fibers and composites. SGL Group’s core competencies are its expertise in high-temperature technology as well as its applications and engineering know-how gained over many years. These competencies enable the Company to make full use of its broad material base. SGL Group’s carbon-based materials combine several unique properties such as electrical and thermal conductivity, heat and corrosion resistance as well as high mechanical strength combined with low weight. Due to the paradigm shift in the use of materials, there is a growing demand for SGL Group’s high-performance materials and products from an increasing number of industries. Carbon and graphite products are used whenever other materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, plastics, wood etc. fail due to their limited properties. Products from SGL Group are used predominantly in the steel, aluminum, automotive, chemical and glass/ceramics industries. However, manufacturers in the semiconductor, battery, solar/wind energy, environmental protection, aerospace and defense industries as well as in the nuclear energy industry also figure among the Company’s customers.
With 45 production sites in Europe, North America and Asia as well as a service network covering more than 100 countries, SGL Group is a company with a global presence. In 2010, the Company’s workforce of around 6,300 generated sales of €1,382 million. The Company’s head office is located in Wiesbaden/Germany.