29.08.2016 • NewsElaine BurridgeCarbonfiber

Solvay Expands US Carbon Fiber Plant

Solvay’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, said the additional capacity gives the...
Solvay’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, said the additional capacity gives the company greater flexibility to strengthen its growth in innovative composite materials and its industry leading position.

Solvay has inaugurated a new carbon fiber production line at its facility in Piedmont, South Carolina, USA, built to meet increasing demand for lightweight composite materials from the aerospace industry. The expansion has doubled capacity for converting acrylonitrile monomers into standard modulus carbon fibers. These fibers are used to make composites that have been pre-impregnated for use in commercial and military aircraft.

The additional line has been qualified by major aircraft manufacturer Boeing for producing secondary structures such as wing movable flaps and engine nacelles, as well as interior components. Solvay’s CEO, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, said the additional capacity gives the company greater flexibility to strengthen its growth in innovative composite materials and its industry leading position.

The durability, strength and fatigue life of carbon fiber composites are allowing them to increasingly replace metal in aircraft applications, reducing weight, noise and CO2 emissions as a result. In addition, the ability to mold multiple sub-components into one part can cut assembly costs.

Virtual Event

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry
CHEManager Spotlight

Digitalization in the Chemical Industry

Save the Date: October 22, 2025
The event will be promoted to a combined audience of over 100,000 professionals across Europe through the CHEManager and CITplus networks.

Interview

Specialty Chemicals in a Shifting World
Adapting to Tariffs and Strengthening Regional Networks

Specialty Chemicals in a Shifting World

Jennifer Abril, President & CEO of SOCMA, discusses the impact of new tariffs and the importance of regional supply networks in the specialty chemical industry.

most read

Photo
13.03.2025 • News

Roche and Zealand Pharma Collaborate on Weight Management Drug

Swiss pharma heavyweight Roche announced has entered into an exclusive collaboration and licensing agreement with Denmark’s Zealand Pharma. Under the terms of this agreement, the two companies will collaborate to co-develop and co-commercialize petrelintide, Zealand Pharma’s amylin analog as a standalone therapy as well as a fixed-dose combination with Roche’s lead incretin asset CT-388.

Photo
28.07.2025 • NewsChemistry

VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.

Photo
19.03.2025 • News

Arkema Launches Acrylic Acid Purification Project

Arkema has announced the launch of its Carat Project at its Carling site in France. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and sustainability of the facility, which specializes in producing acrylic monomers and superabsorbent polymers.

Photo
22.04.2025 • News

BASF Divests Two Joint Ventures in China

BASF has divested its shares in the joint venture companies, BASF Markor Chemical Manufacturing (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. and Markor Meiou Chemical (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. in Korla, China, to Verde Chemical Singapore Pte. Ltd.