IACMI-The Composites Institute Announces Project to Reduce Cost of Carbon Fiber Automobile Structural Parts

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IACMI-The Composites Institute, in partnership with Toray Composites (America), Inc. (TCA), is pleased to announce the launch in a strategic project aimed to decrease cost of carbon fiber automotive structural parts by 15% for target components.

The newest IACMI project will address the challenge of decreasing cost and cycle times limit the use of carbon fiber in automotive structural parts. This project, in collaboration with TCA, Zoltek, Reichhold, Janicki Industries, Globe Machine Manufacturing Co., the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA), and Michigan State University (MSU), is taking a supply chain, ecosystem-based approach to integrate material selection, molding methods, and preform design patterns with waste stream utilization. The integrated supply chain-based improvements will be tested in phase one of the project through flat panel demonstration. Project conclusions are expected to positively impact automotive manufacturing by optimizing high speed processing and advancing recyclability of automotive parts.

Since IACMI's launch in June 2015, industry partners have been eager to submit project proposals to leverage IACMI resources and collaborate with members on the deployment of high impact advanced composites.  "By partnering with industry to solve composite materials manufacturing challenges, we're advancing clean energy innovations that will help United States vehicles meet energy saving CAFÉ standards required in 2025," said Craig Blue, IACMI-The Composites Institute CEO.

IACMI announced a call for project proposals within four months of institute funding. Through collaboration between key members, there are now multiple project agreements in place expected to progress the application and development of high impact advanced composites.

About IACMI-The Composites Institute: The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), managed by the Collaborative Composite Solutions Corporation (CCS), is a partnership of industry, universities, national laboratories, and federal, state and local governments working together to benefit the nation's energy and economic security by sharing existing resources and co-investing to accelerate development and commercial deployment of advanced composites. CCS is a not-for-profit organization established by The University of Tennessee Research Foundation. The national institute is supported by a $70 million commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office and over $180 million committed from IACMI's partners. Find out more at IACMI.org.

About TCA: TCA was first established in 1992 to enable an efficient supply stream of Toray's carbon fiber composite materials. First used on the Boeing 777, Toray's advanced Carbon Fiber composite materials are now incorporated into the 777 and 787 primary structure and will be used on the new 777X wing. TCA supplies a diverse customer base both domestically and internationally and is a major exporter from Washington State. TCA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Akihiro Nikkaku), located in Tacoma, WA. TCA manufactures industry-leading carbon fiber prepreg materials for aerospace, automotive, industrial, and sporting goods applications. Find out more at: https://www.toraycompam.com/

SOURCE IACMI-The Composites Institute

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