Zoltek to open new prepreg operations and Tech Centre

Carbon fibre manufacturer Zoltek is expanding into a new 135,000 sqft. facility just outside of St. Louis, MO.

The new facility will house Zoltek’s prepreg manufacturing and new Technical Centre, the company is making the move in response to the growing demand of a low-cost carbon fiber prepreg supply in wind energy and other applications.

CEO Zsolt Rumy said;

Our strategy has been to commercialise carbon fiber and broaden its use in industrial applications through low-cost and supply availability, Unfortunately, the current carbon fiber prepreg supply is fragmented and geared towards aerospace markets rather than industrial use. We are addressing this shortfall by consolidating the supply chain and forward integrating into prepreg manufacturing for select industrial applications.

In addition to manufacturing prepreg carbon fibre, the new location will also serve as a technical centre for carbon fibre applications, specifically targeting wind energy and automotive applications.

In addition to the two production facilities in St. Louis, Zoltek has carbon fiber manufacturing facilities in Hungary, Mexico, and Texas.