BMW is transitioning towards sustainable practices by incorporating natural fibre composites into its future production models. The BMW Group has dedicated several years to the development of these innovative materials, which have successfully passed homologation tests for roof structures. These lightweight composites are made from flax-based components and were developed in collaboration with Bcomp, a Swiss cleantech company. This partnership will help reduce CO2e emissions. BMW i Ventures, BMW’s venture capital arm, holds a stake in Bcomp. The switch to natural fibres is a significant step in reducing CO2 emissions and lowering the carbon footprint. The tests have shown that these composites are well-suited for both interior and exterior applications. Replacing conventional carbon fibre parts with these natural fibre composites in the upcoming BMW lineup is expected to reduce overall emissions by about 40%. The components have already proven their worth in BMW M motorsport, including the 2019 Formula E season, as well as the BMW M4 DTM and M4 GT4. BMW has been an official partner for BMW M Motorsport for the BMW M4 GT4 since 2022. The parts will be rigorously tested for their impact resistance and mechanical fatigue during the BMW GT4 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. Furthermore, these parts from BMW M Motorsport and Bcomp will be used in future BMW M series vehicles.
BMW Embraces Eco-Friendly Materials: Natural Fibre Composites in Production
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