Curious project of the European Parliament »EU is preparing to ban an essential material in the automotive industry
Article by Cezar Titor – published on Sunday, April 20, 2025, 21:08 / Updated Sunday, April 20, 2025 21:11
An essential material for performance and efficiency in the car industry, carbon fiber, could be banned in the construction of cars, according to a recent proposal of the European Parliament.
The document suggests the inclusion of the carbon fiber on the list of materials considered dangerous, along with substances such as mercury, cadm or hexavalent chromium, all known for their toxic effects on health, although carbon fiber has not recorded proven health. If the project will be approved at the level of the European Union, the prohibition would enter into force starting with 2029.
Anger reactions from builders and enthusiasts
Carbon fiber, especially in the automotive industry, is appreciated for the ratio of stiffness and weightbeing easier than aluminum or steel, but also more rigid, aspects that make it ideal for performance machines, competitions, such as those in Formula 1.
In recent years, its use has expanded in other areas, reminiscent of aviation or renewable energy, especially in the construction of wind turbines.
In the automotive industry, fiber is present in the body of many performing models. The BMW were the pioneers of this technology, using it in the construction of electric cars since 2013, but it was not the only company to adopt carbon fiber, the same thing, among other builders, Tesla or Hyundai, as well as those of sports cars or hypercars, McLaren, Bugatti and so on.
Global carbon fiber production is dominated by three Japanese companies – Teijin, Toray Industries and Mitsubishi Chemical – which have over 50% of the market together. However, much of this production is intended for the European market, where the auto industry represents about 20% of the total demand.
The reactions were virulent. Car manufacturers, but also car enthusiasts, have expressed their dismantling towards the European Parliament Legislative Project, being considered to be devoid of foundation and Against the global tendency to build cars as lighter and safest.
Currently, the project is only in the early stage, But if the pressures intensify, the project could be either re -evaluated or totally withdrawn.
