Zoltek developing low-cost carbon fiber

ST. LOUIS (Aug. 15, 3:30 p.m. ET) -- The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory are negotiating with Zoltek Cos. Inc. to develop and commercialize a low-cost method for manufacturing carbon fiber.

Zoltek, a technology developer and carbon-fiber manufacturer in St. Louis, announced that it has been selected for negotiations leading to a $3.7 million financial assistance award for its application titled “Development and Commercialization of a Novel Low Cost Carbon Fiber.”

The award is part of a $175 million project for advanced vehicle R&D.

“This is an exciting program for Zoltek and very important for the future of carbon fiber, especially for automotive applications,” said George Husman, chief technology officer at Zoltek.

Zoltek has been working with partner Weyerhaeuser Co. for a year and a half to develop the low-cost route to carbon fiber using a lignin / PAN hybrid precursor, the company said.