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BMW Found a Lighter Greener Material to Ditch Carbon Fiber

German auto maker BMW has unveiled a new lightweight material that could serve as a greener alternative to carbon fiber, offering reduced CO 2 emissions. After testing it in racing environments, natural fiber composites, made from renewable materials, are now ready to make their way into BMW production models.

Development of this material took several years and was a collaboration with Swiss clean-tech company Bcomp, which is also working with Porsche, Volvo, and Polestar. The goal was to reduce the carbon footprint of vehicle components without sacrificing performance.

The material is derived from flax seeds (the same plant linen is made from). This natural fiber composite is strong enough to rival carbon fiber, featuring a distinctive pattern that gives it a unique look. This makes it a solid choice for visible vehicle components, both inside and out.

BMW has already teased photos showing natural fiber composite parts on what appears to be a BMW M4 Coupe. These include the entire roof section, rear diffuser, and hood inserts. www.bmwgroup.com