Hexcel announces site for new carbon fibre plant in Europe

Advanced composites company, Hexcel, welcomed guests to a site in Roussillon, France where will invest $250 million (approx £162 million) in the construction of a new carbon fibre plant.

The proposed plans for the new facility were presented to local dignitaries, customers, media representatives and Hexcel employees.

The facility will occupy a 37-acre site at the Osiris Chemical Industry Platform in Roussillon and will be compromised of both polymerisation and carbonisation lines.

Hexcel says the plant is a part of continuing worldwide investment to create a diversified and robust supply chain to support aerospace customers’ growing demand for carbon fibre composites.

Nick Stanage, Hexcel Chairman, CEO and President, said: “Together with our capacity expansions in the U.S., this new facility in France will strengthen our global supply chain by adding precursor and additional carbon fibre capacity in Europe.”

Carbon fibre from the new plant will be supplied to Hexcel customers including Airbus for the A350 XWB and Safran for the CFM LEAP engine.

Construction of the new plant will begin by September 2015 and is expected to employ 120 people when fully operational in early 2018.