BMW and Boeing Collaborate on Carbon Fiber for Cars, Planes

BMW said in a statement that the two companies will participate in joint research for carbon fiber recycling and share manufacturing knowledge, along with automation opportunities.

The 2014 BMW i3 will be one of the first BMW cars with a carbon passenger cell, the automaker noted, followed later by the BMW i8. The BMW i3 is set to go on sale in late 2013. Boeing's 787 Dreamliner is made up of 50 percent carbon fiber material.

As part of its SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers joint venture, the BMW Group has built a new carbon fiber plant in Moses Lake, Washington.