Ford and DowAksa have partnered to explore developing automotive-grade carbon fiber composite parts, which could make vehicles lighter.
The agreement will bring together DowAksa's feedstock capacity, carbon fiber conversion and downstream intermediates production capabilities with Ford's design, engineering and manufacturing expertise.
The partners aim to produce carbon fiber composite parts that are much lighter than steel, while complying with automotive strength requirements.
Ford research and advanced engineering vehicle enterprise sciences director Mike Whitens said: "This joint development agreement reinforces Ford's commitment to our partnership with DowAksa, and our drive to bring carbon fiber components to the broader market.
"The goal of our work here fits within the company's Blueprint for Sustainability, where future Ford vehicles will be lighter with optimized performance that would help consumers further improve fuel economy and reduce emissions."
While allowing the companies to create lower-cost automotive grades of carbon fiber, the joint development agreement also paves way for potential extension of collaboration into a commercial manufacturing partnership.
DowAksa chairman Heinz Haller said: "Ford and DowAksa's collaboration will accelerate delivery of advanced materials and technologies to meet and exceed expectations for high performance and fuel economy."
