Latest news with #Bcomp
Hypebeast
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
BMW Reaches Series Production Milestone with Natural Fiber Composites
Summary BMWhas officially reached series production readiness for natural fiber composites, marking a major step toward sustainable manufacturing across its future vehicle lineup. Developed in collaboration with Swiss clean-tech firm Bcomp, the flax-based materials have already proven their strength and performance in motorsport settings, includingFormula Eand theBMW M4 GT4. BMW's adoption of these composites reflects a commitment to reducing CO₂e emissions, with early testing showing up to 40 percent lower emissions compared to traditional carbon fiber components. The natural fibers have been validated for use in structural applications like roof panels, meeting strict homologation standards. By replacing carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with renewable flax-based composites, BMW not only reduces environmental impact during production but also considers the sustainability of parts at the end of their lifecycle. This breakthrough follows several years of research and motorsport experimentation, where lightweight demands meet extreme performance requirements. Now slated for use in upcomingBMW Mmodels, the material will undergo further testing during the grueling 24-hour Nürburgring race, reinforcing BMW M's philosophy: 'Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.'
Car and Driver
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
BMW to Replace Carbon Fiber with Flax-Based Alternative on New M Cars
BMW is preparing to ditch carbon fiber in favor of a new natural alternative made from flax-based composites. The automaker partnered with Bcomp, a clean-technology company that has been helping BMW implement the material in its race cars since 2019. BMW says the flax-based composite now passes the regulatory requirements of roof structures for vehicle homologation. If you've inspected a BMW M product built within the last five-or-so years, you're probably aware that the Munich-based company enjoys implementing carbon fiber into its cars. And not in small amounts. So you might be shocked to learn that BMW is currently looking to make carbon fiber a thing of the past. But it's not without reason, because the company is planning to replace the magic composite with a new natural alternative made from a flax-based composite. Goodbye, Carbon Fiber Back in 2019, BMW began working with Bcomp, a clean-technology company that the German automaker owns stake in, to implement the flax-composite in its Formula E cars. After that proved successful, the automaker began replacing carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic components on its M4 DTM and M4 GT4 cars. BMW Now, BMW has confirmed that the flax-based fiber has been "confirmed for series maturity," which, in common parlance, just means that it's ready for mass production. According to the company, replacing carbon-fiber pieces with the natural alternative will reduce the CO2e emissions of future BMW products. Specifically, the company says replacing carbon-fiber roof panels with the flax-composite alternative reduces CO2e emissions by around 40 percent. There are also end-of-life benefits that could help BMW skirt the European Union's recently weighed proposal to add carbon fiber to its list of hazardous materials. BMW BMW While BMW hasn't come forward with any head-to-head comparisons of how the new material sizes up to the tried-and-true carbon fiber, it's instead continuing to prove its effectiveness in racing. BMW's M4 GT4 EVO claims class victory over the weekend in the SP10 class at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BMW's New M Cars May Feature Plant-Based Composites
It seems like everything we used to consider good or tasty is getting some sort of veggie or plant-based alternative. These days, it's impossible to ignore the oat milk, plant-based cheeses, and Impossible meat on the menu at your local coffee shop or neighborhood bistro. Sometimes, those things taste just as good as the real animal-based thing. In today's eco-conscious world, equipping cars with lower-emission engines or electrifying powertrains is simply not enough for some automakers. Some manufacturers are going as far as decking their interiors with reclaimed wood trim, recycled plastics, as well as seats lined with "vegan leather" instead of the kind that comes off the back of a cow. However, the best of BMW's Ultimate Driving Machines are getting a plant-based alternative to a space-age material. In a statement released this week, BMW unveiled a new lightweight material that it claims is a more eco-friendly alternative to carbon fiber. Dubbed 'natural fiber composites,' this new material is made from fibers derived from flax, the same plant used to create textiles like linen and special types of paper, including the ones used in banknotes. The Bavarians claim that this new composite material is stronger than the carbon fiber components it replaces and offers reduced CO2 emissions compared to producing carbon fiber parts. According to BMW, exchanging carbon fiber parts for those made of natural fiber composites in the roofs of next-generation BMW Group vehicles can lead to a CO2 reduction of around 40% in production. After years of research and development and trial runs in motorsport settings, BMW says these natural composites are ready to be used in BMW's road cars. In a statement, Franciscus van Meel, the CEO of the automaker's M division, said that the high-performance specialists "are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges;" meaning that the the next-generation M3 and/or M4 may have a flax-roof when it reaches production. The flax-based 'natural fiber composites' were made in collaboration with Swiss clean-tech firm Bcomp, a company the automaker has invested in through BMW i Ventures. BMW and Bcomp developed this eco-friendly space-age material through an experimental development phase over several years. BMW M Motorsport initially used reinforcement parts made with these natural fiber composites in the 2019 season of Formula E. Since then, the same parts have also been used to replace carbon fiber plastic (CFRP) parts in BMW's M4 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) car and the M4 GT4 cars. BMW says that the M4 GT4 that will compete at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring will be equipped with these panels onboard. "Natural fiber composites are a vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport," he said. "They allow for a reduction in CO₂e emissions in the manufacturing process. This is innovation that perfectly fits BMW M's identity: 'Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.'" By looking at it, you can convince me or the untrained eye that this "plant-based carbon fiber" is actually carbon fiber. On a more serious note, BMW and Bcomp are making significant strides toward sustainability with the introduction of this new sustainable lightweight material, especially at a time when there is a strong emphasis on creating more environmentally friendly vehicles. Reducing emissions involves more than just improving or removing engines; it requires comprehensive solutions that go beyond simply placing a green badge on cars with electric motors and batteries and calling it a day. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Express
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
BMW is killing carbon fibre to build its lightweight M cars from plants
BMW has developed an all-new material as a more sustainable replacement for carbon fibre, which is now ready for development and set to be used on production cars – including the new electric BMW M3 – within the next few years. Engineered in collaboration with Swiss firm Bcomp, natural-fibre composites offer similar properties to their carbon-fibre counterparts, but emit far less CO2 throughout production. Plus they can be recycled, unlike most forms of carbon-based composites. When developing such materials, the key issue was to ensure they are strong enough to be homologated for use on a car's roof; BMW says that when applied to its next-generation performance car – which we assume means the forthcoming BMW M3 EV – the usage of natural fibre coincides within a reduction of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) emissions by 40 per cent, compared with using carbon fibre. The company says it can also help cut the usage of plastic in the interior by up to 70 per cent, too. Advertisement - Article continues below In appearance, natural fibre looks very similar to its carbon counterpart, with a distinctive weave pattern designed to replicate leaf veins, as well as a dark-grey colour. In fact, it's so similar that you may not have noticed it already being used on BMW's racing cars, including the M4 GT4 and DTM. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below As their name suggests, natural-fibre composites are made from materials such as plants or animal products. In this case, BMW and Bcomp's material is constructed using flax (a flowering plant) fibres that are grown naturally and harvested in Europe. The CEO of BMW M, Franciscus van Meel, said he was 'delighted' by the recent breakthrough, describing the new material as a 'vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport, allowing for a reduction in CO2e emissions in the manufacturing process'. 'We are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges,' he concluded. This breakthrough comes at a vital time, after the European Union recently drafted legislation to classify carbon fibre as a 'hazardous substance' as part of its ongoing End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive. This is because when carbon fibre is disposed of, the tiny particles generated can be an irritant – and even harmful – when inhaled or exposed to human skin. Such particles are also conductive, so have the potential to short-circuit machinery. However, thankfully for the automotive industry, the legislation remains at a draft stage, following the likes of Audi and Mercedes-AMG strongly submitting evidence against it. BMW also appealed to the EU, but the brand's recent investment in alternative materials does suggest it may just be a matter of time before carbon fibre disappears altogether. Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW boosts natural fibres in series models
Following the successful utilisation of renewable raw materials in racing cars, the BMW Group says it will now harness natural fibre composites for its series-production models. BMW maintains it has reached series maturity for natural fibre composites following several years of development and in-depth research. The composites from renewable raw materials can even meet the stringent demands of roof structures in total vehicle homologation. The flax-based lightweight components have been developed in collaboration with Bcomp, a Swiss clean-tech company, for several years now, BMW says. The partnership with Bcomp supports the BMW Group's goal of further reducing CO2 equivalent emissions in future vehicle models. BMW also holds a stake in Bcomp through BMW i Ventures, the company's venture capital arm. Lightweight construction has long been a crucial development field for the BMW Group. The use of natural fibres with a reduced CO2 footprint in composite materials has become increasingly important. Materials tests have demonstrated the fibres' great suitability, especially for visible exterior and interior components. One example BMW sites is exchanging carbon fibre composites for natural fibre composites in the roofs of the next-generation BMW Group portfolio. It says that leads to a CO2 equivalent reduction of around 40% in production plus additional end-of-life considerations. The innovative reinforcement parts made of natural fibre composites were initially used by BMW M Motorsport in the 2019 season of Formula E. Since then, the components have also been successfully used in the BMW M4 DTM and M4 GT4, replacing carbon fibre plastic (CFRP) parts. Since 2022, Bcomp has been an official BMW M Motorsport partner for the BMW M4 GT4. The new lightweight materials will be fitted in the BMW M4 GT4 for the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH, said: 'Natural fibre composites are a vital element of innovative lightweight solutions in motorsport, allowing for a reduction in CO2e emissions in the manufacturing process. Natural fibre is an innovation that perfectly exemplifies BMW M's claim 'Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.'. This is why we are delighted to confirm the series maturity of these materials, a breakthrough we achieved with our official BMW M Motorsport partner Bcomp. We are now looking forward to the use of these materials in future BMW M product ranges.' "BMW boosts natural fibres in series models" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
