JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011 - 21

to being achieved. All the same, there are still questions about what the future will bring. Demand is likely to explode. How is this to be met? Depending on technologies, factory configurations and the declarations made, it takes between 6 and 24 months to set up a plant, having first of all ensured that all the authorisations were in place, whereupon a period for tweaking and adjustment

interviews

DR. UWE KOBS, JEC Composites Magazine: DIRECTOR BUSINESS ANALYSIS & Is there another route than PAN STRATEGIC PLANNING SGL CARBON GMBH precursor to produce carbon fibres

JCM: The automotive industry is the most promising market. Who will invest: car manufacturers and/or carbon fibre producers? Z. Y.: We assume that most investments will be made by

JCM: What kind of carbon fibre will be used by the automotive industry? Z. Y.: We believe that, for cost reasons, 50K heavy-tow fibre with UWE KOBS: Currently, we do not see any industrially available, more cost-effective route than polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for the production of carbon fibres with today's required properties (min. 4.0 GPa strength, min. 220 GPa modulus).

a minimum strength of 4.0 GPa and a minimum modulus of 220 GPa will be the most commonly used fibre for automotive applications. For certain applications, higher stiffness may be required, but this will likely be in smaller volumes.

JCM: Some companies propose carbon fibre production lines, including for PAN precursor. What is your feeling about it? Z. Y.: Carbon fibre production technology, including precursor

offering the same level of mechanical properties at lower cost?

would have to be factored in. Sources of funding would also have to be found, considering that the production of acrylonitrile and PAN (its polymer) is also an expensive process.

constitute one part of the cost price of a composite, but manufacturers are trying hard to reduce the price of carbon fibres. The volumes produced will depend on this. Changing the precursor may be a solution.

Conclusion

There are many challenges but the markets offer great promise. One of the priorities of both the automotive and wind energy markets is cost. The raw materials only

It should not be forgotten that the production volume of carbon fibres is still very low when compared to other materials, such as steel (60,000 MT of production capacity of

KETAN BUCH, JEC Composites Magazine: Kemrock GENERAL MANAGER commissioned a carbon fibre KEMROCK INDUSTRIES production unit last May. Could you tell AND EXPORTS LTD.

India’s first carbon fibre manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. This fully-integrated plant was set up with technology know-how from CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratory, Bengaluru, with an initial capacity of 400 metric tons (MT) per annum. The project investment of about US$ 44.8 million was financed through a mix of equity, debt and internal accruals. No65 May - June 2011 / jec composites magazine

established carbon fibre producers since only they can guarantee the desired properties/quantities of carbon fibres. The investment made by SGL/BMW demonstrates that certain OEMs potentially want to join in these investments together with carbon fibre producers to secure their supply chain.

JCM: What types of fibres does it produce? For what applications? K. B.: We are producing 3K-24K small tows with

properties similar to T700 fibre; we believe this is the best strength/modulus compromise. The facility’s 400MT initial yearly capacity is solely intended for the Indian market, mainly for Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, for the manufacture of light combat aircrafts and helicopters for Indian Defense sector and Space Research projects .

JCM: What are your planned developments in the medium term? K. B.: At the end of phase II, in 2012, we plan to reach

us more about it? KETAN BUCH: On the 9th of May, Kemrock inaugurated

carbon fibre compared to 1,400,000,000 MT of steel production and 35,000,000 MT of aluminium).

In order to illustrate the issues addressed here, this article is complemented by two interviews with professionals from the sector: Dr. Uwe Kobs, Director Business Analysis & Strategic Planning, SGL Group, and Mr Ketan Buch, General Manager of Kemrock Industries.

production technology, has been promoted by equipment suppliers for some time. So far, it still remains to be seen whether new entrants will be able to master the complex interplay between precursor properties, oxidation/ carbonization conditions and desired carbon fibre properties, while producing at a cost level that justifies reinvestment.

a 1,000-MT overall capacity. This phase has already started with plans to produce 12K - 48K tows fibres. Part of the additional 600 MT will be intended for the commercial markets, or even for export, with additional growth foreseen for 2013. Kemrock is also determined to manufacture its own fabrics and prepregs. We would like to develop our business in the aeronautical, wind energy, CNG tanks, trans-portation and infrastructure markets. We also plan to manufacture parts in-house using our own carbon fibre and resin products.

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #65 - May/June 2011