Scenario modelling of the carbon fiber industry in the transition to NetZero 2050

The goal of this project is to propose SMART sustainability initiatives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-oriented) and associated roadmaps to enable step-wise transformation of the carbon fiber value chain, while also supporting investments to meet sustained market growth.  

Multiple industrial sectors need to transform products, operations, and supply chains to reduce environmental impacts and reach NetZero targets. This requires systemic change in many areas of society including industry, education, research, and policy.

The role of materials in this transition is critical including energy generation, hard-to-abate sectors, critical materials, and enabling technologies. Significant capital investment is needed in these supply chains, at scale, in compressed time frames; to drive increased circularity, develop lower embodied energy / CO₂e products, and aid the transition towards meeting NetZero SSPs. The materials sector is a key driver in our impinging planetary boundaries (including novel entities) and needs urgent, widespread, and fundamental transformation.

This collaborative project between the IMD and EPFL will explore a sustainability strategy, focused on the carbon fiber industry – an  important sector both for the development of low-emission mobility.

The target audience  of this study includes the carbon fiber composites supply chain, transformers, and end-users of composite materials in final products, together with legislative bodies and policymakers.