CSP, Mitsubishi May Team Up on Carbon Fiber Components

Auburn Hills, Mich.-based Continental Structural Plastics Inc. and Japan’s Mitsubishi Rayon Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on carbon fiber structural components for the automotive industry in North America.

The companies say they may form an equity-based joint venture that would develop and produce compression-molded components made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic materials. The companies provided no timetable for a decision.

Products being considered for the venture include a range of non-class-A structural parts that include pillars, engine cradles or supports, radiator supports, frames and rails, bumper beams, underbody shields, door inners and intrusion beams.

Conti and Mitsubishi Rayon says the components would be fabricated using carbon-fiber sheet-molded-compound and/or pre-preg carbon-fiber compression molding techniques.

Mitsubishi Rayon, which was founded in 1933, specializes in carbon fiber and composite materials, methyl methacrylate and water-based systems.

Continental Plastics says it holds more than 50 patents related to the development and manufacturing processes of composite materials formulations, design and manufacturing technologies.