What sort of modification (and how expensive) is required to make acrylic of requisite purity for conversion to carbon fiber? Can we infer that Zoltek's Hungarian plant is undertaking that modification now since Zsolt said two line there will produce carbon fiber in FY 97?
With regard to future competition, Zsolt anticipates it, but claims it has 2 to 3 years lead time over anyone else in accomplishing low cost carbon fiber production.
With regard to steel vs. carbon as material of reinforcing jackets for concrete columns, steel rusts and requires painting and other maintenance. Steel jackets have to be prefabricated in various sizes and transported at greater cost than comparable carbon fiber. The latter material doesn't require as much maintenance, is easily wrapped around any size column, is transportable in bulk form, and has 150 yr. life, per Akzo. Thus carbon fiber, at $7-or-so/lb, could make for cheaper reinforcing jackets' material from life-cycle cost point of view. Question Flyguy -- is low grade chopped carbon suitable here? And if yes, does it follow that Zoltek has competitive advantage here over Akzo?
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all,
Tulvio
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