BMW is considering the use of carbon fibre in the structural side frame of a 5-door mid-range car, as part of its Z22 technology project, said Steffen Aumann, responsible for recycling issues of the BMW 1- and 3-Series. Aumann showed favourable life-cycle data on the ecological benefits of using a carbon fibre-reinforced plastics structural side-frame, but pointed out that it is more difficult to recycle such materials. It would therefore be better to extract the material from the light shredder fraction and use it for energy generation, he maintained. Although it is difficult under current legislation to meet recycling quotas with such lightweight structures, Aumann said: "We will reduce CO2 emissions, so we have to go to lightweight construction. Our customers also like to have a dynamic car."
