Lightweight windshield - sustainable due to WIC compound

Neuburg a. d. Donau (Germany), January 24, 2023. High-tech carbon fiber compounds from WIPAG are used in the Bavarian car manufacturer's new BMW iX: thanks to WIC PA6 15 BK IM, the windshield of the fully electric vehicle features a low component weight and a plus in sustainability. The metal-plastic hybrid component in skeleton design is manufactured by injection molding. The WIC compound contains recycled carbon fibers from the production of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) at BMW - a good example of circular economy. WIPAG and BMW have a long-standing cooperation in carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP).

WIC PA6 15 BK IM offers high lightweight potential, very good mechanical properties and is also impact modified. The use of recycled carbon fibers in the WIC compound also ensures a lower carbon footprint compared with virgin carbon fiber: for example, the production of 1 kg of WIC PA6 releases around 6 kg of CO2 eq. compared with around 9 kg of CO2 eq. in the production of 1 kg of virgin carbon fiber. This CO2 balance was calculated with GaBi software.

About WIPAG

WIPAG Deutschland GmbH is a specialist in material processing of technical plastic waste, the development of recycling technologies and the production of plastic compounds, including those based on recycled carbon fibers.

With innovative recycling technologies, the company prepares plastic waste streams that are reused as valuable materials in the products of the processing industries. The lightweight compound WIC, which is made from secondary carbon fiber, is also part of the WIPAG sustainable portfolio.

Established in 1991, the company has more than 100 employees at two locations in Germany and has since 2018 been part of the family-owned and globally active Otto Krahn Group.

The company received a Gold rating from the independent rating agency EcoVadis in 2022.

For more information please visit wipag.de/en.