Carbon fibers are high-performance materials that combine lightness with high strength and stiffness. They are particularly in demand in lightweight construction, which is a key factor for developing efficient and resource-saving materials for future industries. The lighter cars, airplanes, wind turbines, or bicycles are, the more energy-efficiently they can be operated. Carbon fibers are also increasingly important for energy generation, conversion, and storage, for example in batteries, fuel cells, or other components of modern energy systems.

Conventional carbon fibers are predominantly produced from fossil raw materials. To expand the raw material base with sustainable alternatives, bio-based carbon fibers are gaining increasing attention. They conserve resources, have a better CO₂ balance, and make the value chain more resilient. In addition, their properties can be specifically tailored to different applications. The industry already shows strong demand for such alternatives.

Concentrated expertise in bio-based carbon fibers

The production of bio-based carbon fibers is a specialty of Fraunhofer IAP: In a first step, raw materials such as cellulose or lignin from wood are dissolved and spun into precursor fibers. These are then converted into carbon fibers through carbonization.

To scale these processes for industrial applications, a pilot plant will be established in Guben as part of the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz. The project is financed with 53.3 million euros by the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research, and Culture through Wirtschaftsregion Lausitz GmbH (WRL) and the federal government. The positive decision on funding by the Interministerial Working Group (IMAG) on March 12, 2026, marks an important milestone for implementation. The city of Guben is investing around 20 million euros in the construction of the building in the Guben Industrial Park. Fraunhofer IAP will use the remaining funds for plant technology, equipment, and initial setup. The plant is expected to start operation at the end of 2029.

Dr. André Lehmann, Head of the Polymer Processing Research Division and Fiber Technologies Department at Fraunhofer IAP, explains: "With the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz in Guben, we are creating the conditions for a research and pilot infrastructure where various innovative precursor fibers can be produced up to the ton scale."

Dr. Jens Erdmann, Head of the Polymer Engineering Division at Fraunhofer IAP, adds: "We are also establishing a laboratory-scale carbonization facility that converts the new precursor fibers into carbon fibers at the kilogram scale. This allows us to efficiently evaluate process behavior and potential, optimize the processes, and gather valuable insights for larger scales. We can also provide industry with sample quantities for testing."

In close cooperation with partners in the Lausitz, Fraunhofer IAP is further developing precursor and carbon fibers for various lightweight and energy applications, thereby strengthening the transfer to industrial use.

Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz—Pioneering cross-state collaboration complementing

Fraunhofer IAP's initiative, a pilot plant for ton-scale carbon fiber production is being established in the Saxon Lausitz. Operated by the Technical University of Chemnitz, this plant can process both conventional and Fraunhofer IAP-provided precursor fibers. In cooperation with the Institute for Lightweight Design and Value Chain Management at Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg, carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials are tailored for diverse lightweight applications. Together with regional companies, the partners test demonstrators and prototypes under real-world conditions. This accelerates the transfer of research results into industrial applications and strengthens the region as a hub for high-performance materials.

The Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz is embedded in the Lausitz research infrastructure, where the Lausitz Science Park will serve as a future hub for joint initiatives with local innovation drivers, for example.

"By combining the expertise of the participating institutions, the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz creates a globally unique complete value chain in the region and beyond, ranging from renewable raw materials to components for lightweight applications," says Professor Böker, Director of Fraunhofer IAP, who initiated the Carbon Lab Factory Lausitz together with Professor Kroll from the Technical University of Chemnitz. The cross-state cooperation is considered a flagship project for sustainably produced carbon fibers.