BMW to collaborate with Boeing on carbon fiber

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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- BMW Group and U.S. aircraft maker Boeing will pool information about making carbon fiber, an emerging battleground among auto and plane makers.

BMW said on Wednesday the two companies aimed to advance research for carbon fiber recycling and know-how about manufacturing and automation.

The deal intensifies competition between BMW and rival Volkswagen Group, which already has a collaboration deal with Boeing through its Italian sports-car unit Lamborghini.

Last year, BMW moved to extend its influence over German carbon fiber manufacturer SGL Carbon after VW accumulated a stake in the company. BMW and SGL jointly built a new carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Washington.

Carbon fiber is 30 percent lighter than aluminum and 50 percent lighter than steel, a crucial advantage to help cut vehicle weight and carbon dioxide emissions.

Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is 50 percent made of carbon fiber material, while BMW plans to start selling the first electric vehicle from its i sub brand next year, which features a carbon fiber passenger cell.

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