[Dippy]

Carbon fibre is a huge part of cars today, not only in motorsports like F1 but also in road-going sports cars and EVs. The USP of carbon fibre has been its light weight and strength. But the European Union has other thoughts. EU law could deem carbon fibre a "hazardous material," and this move could impact automakers significantly.

An amendment drafted by the European Parliament aims to add carbon fibre to the EU's list of hazardous materials. That list currently includes lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium. These materials are still used sparingly in automotive and aircraft manufacturing.

The above amendment was added to the EU's End of Life Vehicles Directive during revision. The government arm believes that carbon fibre filaments could become airborne and be harmful if they come in contact with human skin. This is the first time anywhere in the world that a governmental entity has deemed carbon fibre a hazardous material.

If the amendment is approved, it will come into effect in Europe starting in 2029. Companies would then have to wind down the use of carbon fibre in manufacturing. Auto alone makes up 20 percent of all carbon fibre usage worldwide.

The ban could affect Japan in a big way as the country makes up 54 percent of the entire carbon fibre manufacturing market globally. Stocks of Japan's carbon fibre manufacturers fell sharply following the announcement by the EU. Apart from Japan, Europe accounts for the majority of other carbon fibre manufacturing.

This ban will hit sports car and supercar manufacturers the most. EV makers will also be affected. BMW, Hyundai, Lucid, and Tesla all use carbon fibre extensively in their construction.

Carbon fibre was a $5.5 billion industry in 2024, so it is expected that the amendment will face strong opposition from auto and aircraft manufacturers.

Source: Motor1.com

Link to Team BHP news

[BimmerDude207]

Forgive me if I sound stupid but I have a question.

On what logic does the EU think that carbon fibre could be hazardous? As far as I know, its improved structural rigidity and safety on multiple supercars using a carbon tub. I would understand if lead was hazardous, leading to a ban of leaded gasoline but on what basis does the European Union qualify carbon fibre as a hazardous material in cars?

[Aurora Zero]

Europe should now ban the EU Union and the people who are suggesting such lunatic ideas. We've had enough issues with the Auto industry everywhere

[PreludeSH]

Is the impact same as fibre glass or lesser ? Fiber glass, in addition to irritating skin, eyes can also aggravate asthma and bronchitis.

[the_skyliner]

Europe has to come out of their extreme regulation mentality for businesses to survive (forget thriving). And they have to understand that banning something in the EU isn't going to do anything substantial for the environment as a whole!

I hope this draft is scrapped for EU's own good.

[rohitoasis]

Originally Posted by PreludeSH

Is the impact same as fibre glass or lesser ? Fiber glass, in addition to irritating skin, eyes can also aggravate asthma and bronchitis.

Yes similar impact to both glass fibre, Asbestos. Anything that can form microscopic fibres have similar effects.

Linking Occupational health and safety data for the material published by Monash university in 2021.

https://www.monash.edu/hsw/info-docs...%20irritation.

The principal health hazards of carbon fibre handling are due to mechanical irritation and abrasion similar to that of glass fibres. Carbon fibres are easily broken by stretching (by less than 2% elongation); the fibres can easily become a fine dust during cutting, machining or mechanical finishing and can then be released into the surrounding atmosphere. These micro fibres if uncontrolled have a potential to stick into human skin or the mucous membranes causing irritation.

More safety data sheets all with similar warnings.

https://www.tapplastics.com/image/pd...Dqd5hZKuueGvTv

https://procotex.com/wp-content/uplo...rbon-CF-GB.pdf

Of course the long term impact would take time to be established.

[v1p3r]

Unsurprising. Having worked closely with CFRP and various aramids and fibres, I've seen first hand what they can do - pretty much like asbestos as someone pointed out. They are also incredibly difficult to recycle efficiently once set in a matrix like CFRP tends to be.

Structural components benefit from CFRP and composite use, but you can argue that the lifecycle cost of these components outweighs (no pun intended) whatever performance gain they might present. Gratuitous trim and garnish components, on the other hand, which are often ghastly, should be outlawed immediately as a matter of taste at this point.

[BullettuPaandi]

The principal health hazards of carbon fibre handling are due to mechanical irritation and abrasion similar to that of glass fibres. Carbon fibres are easily broken by stretching (by less than 2% elongation); the fibres can easily become a fine dust during cutting, machining or mechanical finishing and can then be released into the surrounding atmosphere. These micro fibres if uncontrolled have a potential to stick into human skin or the mucous membranes causing irritation.

Am I misunderstanding this, or does this mean it's only hazardous when someone tries to file, drill, or cut it? How hazardous is a finished carbon fibre?

[rohitoasis]

Originally Posted by BullettuPaandi

Am I misunderstanding this, or does this mean it's only hazardous when someone tries to file, drill, or cut it? How hazardous is a finished carbon fibre?

While it could read as exposure during the manufacturing process, where already adequate PPE is used. With wider usage of Carbon fibre for everything including bonnets, roofs, wing mirrors, it could also translate to debris in case of accident. Not easy to clean after accidents and can easily get blown away by wind and can be harmful to public who happen to pass by. Such aesthetic carbon fibre bits which add zero value, can end up being more harmful to public. I am thankful at least somebody else in this forum sees this as a correct move.

[Jeroen]

Old news and it is outdated already.

The ban has been shelved!

https://www.motor1.com/news/756682/c...ned-in-europe/

Jeroen

[Roy.S]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

....Jeroen

What do you personally feel about this? Is carbon fibre as bad as some sources make it out to be?

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by Roy.S

What do you personally feel about this? Is carbon fibre as bad as some sources make it out to be?

First of all, this ban was about concern on the recycling of carbon fibre. As other members have pointed out carbon fibre dust can be very harmful.

And carbon fibre dust is a by product of recycling. There are a few other challenges on recycling carbon fibre as well. So carbon fibre as a material on your car, bike, bicycle, boat, plane whatever is fine. The issue is how to recycle it safely.

I think the reversal of the proposed ban is idiotic. There is no doubt on the potential health hazards of recycling carbon fibre. The notion that the pro’# of using carbon fibre on cars outweigh the cons is ridiculous in my opinion. Its not even in the same category. I don't think I have ever seen a classification of a hazardous material being changed, because it had such great other qualities. No mistake. Carbon fibre has some great advantages.

But you should never ever compromise on health related issues. What they should have done is amend the recycling rules and regulations. We know how to handle asbestos safely and that is definitely even more dangerous.

To handle carbon fibre components safely at the end of of its life cycle you need to ensure the recycling industry is made aware and held accountable for dealing with it. They are perfectly well equipped to handle all kinds of difficult and hazardous materials. So why not add some more requirements for carbon fibre materials.

The qualification as a hazardous material should remain in force. That doesn't need to result in banning it. Oil is a dangerous material, we are not banning oil. But there is a vast set of rules and regulations dealing with environmental and health and safety aspects when dealing with oils.

So the ban was not necessary, the qualification of it being a hazardous material is correct. What is lacking is common sense and tell us how to deal with it effectively and safely.

What these idiots are saying, its such a great materials for car parts, lets not call it unsafe. What a load of crock.

Jeroen

[srvm]

Originally Posted by Jeroen

First of all, this ban was about concern on the recycling of carbon fibre. As other members have pointed out carbon fibre dust can be very harmful.

.......The issue is how to recycle it safely.

I think the reversal of the proposed ban is idiotic. There is no doubt on the potential health hazards of recycling carbon fibre...... No mistake. Carbon fibre has some great advantages.

But you should never ever compromise on health related issues. What they should have done is amend the recycling rules and regulations......

To handle carbon fibre components safely at the end of of its life cycle you need to ensure the recycling industry is made aware and held accountable for dealing with it. They are perfectly well equipped to handle all kinds of difficult and hazardous materials. So why not add some more requirements for carbon fibre materials.

The qualification as a hazardous material should remain in force. That doesn't need to result in banning it.....

So the ban was not necessary, the qualification of it being a hazardous material is correct......

Jeroen

I have quoted parts of Jeroen's post that I strongly agree with.
And I work with Carbon and Glass fiber composites everyday, albeit in aviation sector. We take a lot of care while finishing composite parts (trimming, drilling etc) to prevent spread of composite dust particles.

[Maky]

Originally Posted by BimmerDude207

Forgive me if I sound stupid but I have a question.

On what logic does the EU think that carbon fibre could be hazardous? As far as I know, its improved structural rigidity and safety on multiple supercars using a carbon tub. I would understand if lead was hazardous, leading to a ban of leaded gasoline but on what basis does the European Union qualify carbon fibre as a hazardous material in cars?

It is mentioned in the article

The government arm believes that carbon fibre filaments could become airborne and be harmful if they come in contact with human skin.

I think the logic is post degradation that happens over time or perhaps upon vehicle scrappage.
Whether that is true or not is up for discussion.