Business
Magna shapes the future of high-volume carbon fiber composites
Strategic partnership, proprietary production capability help set the pace PARIS, Mar...
About this update from Magna International Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\n\n\nStrategic partnership, proprietary production capability help set the\n pace\n\n\nPARIS, March 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Magna International Inc. announced that\n its Magna Exteriors and Interiors (MEI) operating unit, together with\n strategic development partner Zoltek, offers best-in-class capabilities\n in providing carbon fiber composite parts and systems for high-volume\n automotive applications to support automakers' lightweighting\n initiatives.\n\n\nMEI and Zoltek, the worldwide leading producer of commercial carbon\n fiber, have developed a low-cost carbon fiber sheet molding compound\n (SMC) through an exclusive global partnership. The jointly developed\n carbon fiber SMC material uses Zoltek's Panex® 35 commercial carbon\n fiber combined with Magna's unique EpicBlendSMC™ formulations and\n production expertise.\n\n\nThe material, named EpicBlendSMC EB CFS-Z, is part of MEI's EpicBlendSMC\n product line and allows Magna to offer global manufacturers an expanded\n range of lightweight parts, sub-systems and semi-structural\n applications for automotive as well as commercial truck and other\n markets. Additionally, the EB CFS-Z sheet molding compound is for sale\n directly to molders through MEI.\n\n\nMEI has recently won new business for a semi-structural component based\n on its EB CFS-Z SMC technology. Furthermore, one of Magna's SMC\n compounding facilities has installed proprietary SMC production\n equipment that is optimized to compound Zoltek's Panex® 35 carbon\n fiber. Together, MEI and Zoltek have extensive core manufacturing\n capabilities to serve customers in both North America and Europe,\n minimizing the cost and need to import carbon fiber or precursor\n materials into these markets.\n\n\n\"We are working with global OEMs every day to develop lightweight\n solutions that help meet the increased fuel economy and decreased\n emissions of future vehicle programs,\" said Mike Andrews, VP of\n Operations, Magna Exteriors and Interiors. \"With our EB CFS-Z SMC\n technology, we are now meeting the requirements for high-volume\n applications that call for low-cost, high-performance carbon fiber\n materials.\"\n\n\nAbout Magna Exteriors and Interiors\n\n\nMagna Exteriors and Interiors Corp. (www.magna.com), an operating unit of Magna International Inc., is a full-service\n global supplier of au...