Focus About the SGL/BMW joint venture The SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers joint venture was founded in 2009 by BMW Group and SGL Group in order to secure the exclusive supply of carbon fibre materials to BMW Group. The carbon fibres are produced in the world's most sustainable production facility in Moses Lake, USA. The further processing of the fibres as fabrics and the recycling of carbon fibres are done in another facility in Wackersdorf, Germany. SGL Group's carbon fiber materials in the new BMW 7 site in Wackersdorf. Developed in cooperation with BMW, these carbon fibre recycled products will be used in the C-pillar and in the trunk compartment partition. Consisting of recycled carbon fibres, they are a further contribution towards sustainability. Long-term cooperation The use of carbon fibre-based products in the new BMW 7-series is another milestone in the large-scale serial application of carbon materials in the automotive industry. This project also further underlines the great potential of carbon fibres for innovative automobile applications and demonstrates that SGL Group's long-term development of the entire value chain is paying off. The innovation partnership between BMW Group and SGL Group started 15 years ago and had its first highlight with the utilization of carbon fibres and carbon fibre fabrics in the BMW i models. With the introduction of the Carbon Core hybrid construction method for the passenger cell of the new BMW 7-series, the cooperation is now being developed further. n More information: www.sglgroup.com Feature Automotive No98 July - August 2015 / jec composites magazine 31http://www.sglgroup.com http://www.zund.com