Can natural fiber composites compete with carbon fiber in demanding automotive and motorsport applications?

At JEC World 2026, Ilkay Özkisaoglu speaks with Per Mårtensson, Chief Revenue Officer of Bcomp, about the industrialization of flax fiber reinforced composites, sustainability, lightweight design, and the journey from motorsport innovation to series production vehicles.
Bcomp has become one of the most recognized pioneers in natural fiber composites. What started in high-performance racing applications has evolved into commercial programs with major automotive brands including BMW, Volvo Cars, Polestar, Cupra, Porsche and Suzuki Racing.

In this interview, Per explains why the future of composites is not about replacing carbon fiber everywhere, but about using the right material in the right place. According to Bcomp, natural fibers can deliver excellent stiffness-to-weight performance while reducing environmental impact and introducing additional benefits such as vibration damping, enhanced safety characteristics and distinctive design aesthetics.

Topics discussed include:

✅ Why natural fiber composites are gaining momentum in automotive applications
✅ How Bcomp moved from Formula E and GT racing into series production vehicles
✅ Collaboration with BMW M and the importance of strategic OEM partnerships
✅ Applications in BMW, Volvo, Polestar, Cupra, Porsche and Suzuki motorcycles
✅ Thermoplastic and recyclable composite solutions using ampliTex™ and powerRibs™ technologies
✅ Lightweighting, sustainability and circular material strategies
✅ Safety advantages compared with conventional carbon fiber structures
✅ Design freedom, customization and brand identity through bio-based composites
✅ Aerospace opportunities and future aftermarket applications

One of the most interesting takeaways from this discussion is that sustainability alone is not enough. Per argues that bio-based materials must also provide performance, functionality, lightweighting benefits and customer value. Only then can natural fiber composites achieve large-scale industrial adoption.

The conversation also explores how OEMs increasingly integrate sustainability goals into product development while still demanding performance, safety and cost competitiveness. Bcomp's approach focuses on delivering all of these elements simultaneously.
If you are involved in composites, automotive engineering, lightweight materials, motorsport, aerospace, sustainability, circular economy initiatives or advanced manufacturing, this interview offers valuable insights into one of the industry's most innovative material technologies.

🎥 Interview conducted by Ilkay Özkisaoglu at JEC World.
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