The European Parliament is advancing an amendment to the Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles that could impose a significant new restriction on the automotive industry. The proposed amendment seeks to classify carbon fiber as a hazardous material and ban its use in new vehicles starting from 2029.
The main driver behind the proposed ban is the difficulty in safely processing and disposing of carbon fiber. According to project proponents, the recycling of carbon fiber releases resin-bound fibers into the air, which pose health risks to workers and mechanical hazards to recycling equipment. Microscopic carbon particles can irritate the skin and mucous membranes, enter the respiratory system, and interfere with the operation of machinery.
If adopted, carbon fiber would join lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium on the European Union’s list of prohibited materials in vehicle production.
Industry experts warn that banning carbon fiber could have severe consequences for car manufacturers. The material is a crucial component in the construction of sports cars, where it is used to achieve reduced weight while maintaining high structural strength. Electric vehicle manufacturers would also be hit hard, as carbon fiber is often used to offset the substantial weight of heavy traction batteries. The automotive industry currently accounts for approximately 20% of global carbon fiber consumption.
Carbon fiber is highly valued for its strength-to-weight ratio, offering greater strength than steel at a fraction of the weight, and outperforming aluminium in lightness. Its use helps reduce fuel and energy consumption, making it an important material in efforts to improve vehicle efficiency.
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