Operational unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber production line. Source (All Images) | Chomarat

After 3 years of work and €2 million in investment, technical textiles company Chomarat Group (Le Cheylard, France) announces the commissioning of a production line specializing in unidirectional (UD) carbon fiber reinforcement, which is now operational. This advancement builds Chomarat’s efforts to support a new generation of applications.

Designed to meet the specific technical needs of composite part manufacturers, the line offers a range of functionalized UD carbon fiber materials with: 

• Increased permeability for optimized infusion processes, ideal for manufacturing thick parts.
• Enhanced ply stability during handling and preforming.
• Adaptability to preforming needs through a variety of powders suitable for resin transfer molding (RTM) processes.
• Flexibility to work with different industrial grades of carbon fibers: 12K, 24K and 50K.

C-Ply noncrimp fabric (NCF).

“This new range of UD reinforcements has already attracted major super car manufacturers, and we are targeting other sectors such as marine, wind energy and construction,” says Francisco De Oliveira, director of advanced composites at Chomarat. The project, launched in 2021 under the ConVERTIR name, was awarded as part of the automotive sector modernization project call.

Chomarat launched its C-Ply noncrimp fabric (NCF) reinforcement range in 2021 for European and North American composites manufacturers, characterized by its thin plies and closed angles. Now, with its new UD reinforcement capabilities, the company is able to offer a complete range of uni-, bi-, tri- or quadriaxial NCFs with ply weights ranging from 50-600 gsm.