In a move towards eco-friendly manufacturing, BMW is set to incorporate natural fibre composites into its upcoming production models. The BMW Group has invested significant time in the development of these composites, utilizing organic materials. These components have successfully cleared homologation tests, demonstrating their suitability for roof structures.
These lightweight composites, made from flax-based components, have been developed in partnership with Bcomp, a Swiss cleantech company. BMW aims to lower its CO2e emissions through this collaboration. BMW i-ventures, the company’s venture capital arm, has a stake in Bcomp.
The increasing focus on natural fibres stems from their potential to reduce CO2 emissions and lower the carbon footprint. Extensive testing shows these composites are well-suited for a variety of applications, including visible interior and exterior parts. By substituting traditional carbon fibre parts, BMW anticipates a reduction of approximately 40% in overall emissions.
The effectiveness of these parts was previously demonstrated in the BMW M Motorsport’s Formula E program in the 2019 season. Parts made with this technology have also been employed in the BMW M4 DTM and M4 GT4. BMW has been an official partner for BMW M Motorsport since 2022, specifically for the BMW M4 GT4.
Additional testing will be conducted during the BMW GT4 24-hour race at the Nürburgring to assess their durability under extreme conditions. These parts from BMW M Motorsport and Bcomp are planned for integration into future BMW M series vehicles.