Muñoz Group acquires new carbon fiber technology

(Return to News From Muñoz Group page)

(Arlington, VA, February 13, 2003) -- Muñoz Investment Banking Group has acquired the rights to a breakthrough new process to manufacture PAN based high strength carbon fiber, according to Ed Muñoz, Principal of the company. “The new technology utilizes a different catalyst and additive package that accelerates the acrylic fiber carbonization step,” stated Muñoz.

 “We see this new technology opening up a host of new applications that had not been able to benefit from the advantages of carbon fiber because of its high cost and limited fabrication techniques”, noted Muñoz. “Significant cost reductions will be achieved with this technology. In addition, this new approach will enable the production of fabricated products such as non-wovens and large panels, prior to the carbonization step, thereby opening up innovative product forms and applications. We see applications for carbon fiber in medical, preformed automotive panels, industrial and residential construction, fireproof maritime curtains and blankets and machined parts.”

“The acquisition includes rights to patents that establish a whole new way to produce carbon fiber,” continued Muñoz. “This process will produce fiber with quality and performance levels consistent or better than others on the market today, at a much lower cost. The process allows the time required for the oxidation step in the manufacturing process to be reduced by over 50%.”

Two long time veterans of the fibers and plastics industries, W. Kenneth Wilkinson and Scott W. Thompson, developed the process. Muñoz Group will provide development and implementation strategies for this new technology. For more information please contact Ed Muñoz at 703/516-4110 or emunoz@munozgroup.net.

Muñoz Investment Banking Group LLC offers full service investment banking services focusing on expanding markets and emerging technologies in the plastics and chemical industries. Muñoz Investment Banking Group LLC, 2111 Wilson Blvd., Suite 850, Arlington, VA 22201 703/516-4110 www.munozgroup.net