Carbon Fiber Europe’s mission is to promote the “positive contributions and innovative power” of European carbon fibre products to society and to foster their adoption within Europe, encouraging their safe and sustainable use. In particular, Carbon Fiber Europe will foster environmentally and socially responsible production practices, circular economy models and the reduction of carbon footprint across the carbon fibre value chain, including end-of-life management. The alliance will also promote best practices and science-based safety guidelines to ensure the protection of the environment but also of workers and users. 

The pursuit of these goals will be organised around 4 pillars: Advocacy & Representation; Sustainability & Circularity; Innovation & Standards; Health & Safety. Raf Bussels, Senior Director EMEA R&D – Research & Development at Mitsubishi Chemical Group, has been elected as the Chair of Carbon Fiber Europe and Axel Leuchter, Head of EU Sustainability Group, Teijin Ltd, as Vice Chair.

Roberto Frassine, President of EuCIA, comments “We are delighted to welcome Carbon Fiber Europe as a new sectorial alliance of EuCIA. Carbon fibre is an integral part of Europe’s composites industry and it is essential for realising the EU Clean Industrial Deal’s objectives for decarbonisation, innovation and industrial resilience. We are committed to assisting Carbon Fiber Europe members in their efforts to reinforce carbon fibre’s role in Europe’s sustainable industrial development.”

Raf Bussels, Chair, Carbon Fiber Europe, adds: “Carbon fibre enables the manufacture of high-performance, lightweight and durable composite materials that play a key role in markets such as transportation, energy, aerospace and defence. Collaborating with EuCIA, the voice of the European composites industry, we will champion the role of carbon fibre in enabling Europe’s green and digital transitions and support actions that enhance Europe’s leadership in carbon fibre materials and applications.”

The alliance is currently defining its priority actions and working group structure. A dedicated website will be launched soon.

Cover photo: From left to right: EuCIA’s Managing Director, Raphaël Pleynet, and President, Roberto Frassine, with Nicole Kambeck, Head of Sustainability, Mitsubishi Chemical Europe; Hinrich Hampe, Head of Governmental Affairs, Teijin Carbon Europe; Raf Bussels, Senior Director EMEA R&D – Research & Development, Mitsubishi Chemical Group; Claude Despierres, Vice President Sustainability and Business Development, Hexcel; Kristian Seidel, Managing Director, Teijin Automotive Technologies Wuppertal GmbH; Axel Leuchter, Head of EU Sustainability Group, Teijin Ltd; Ota Kenjiro, CEO EACC, and Eisuke Wadahara, President of EACC, Toray Industries. (Picture © Carbon Fiber Europe)