BMW Group Receives JEC Innovation Award for Flax Fibre Composites

BMW Group reports receiving the JEC Composites Innovation Award for series-produced flax fibre automotive components. Read how the material reduces CO2e impact.

BMW Group has received one of the most respected international awards in the composites industry, the JEC Composites Innovation Award, for introducing flax fibre components into series production vehicles. The award was presented at JEC World in Paris and recognises the company’s contribution to sustainable materials and the reduction of the automotive industry’s carbon footprint.

The distinction is not linked to concept cars or experimental studies, but to components used in series-production vehicles, including visible exterior parts. BMW Group first announced the use of natural flax fibre composites in mid-2025, and the project has now gained formal recognition at industry level. According to the company, this represents the most extensive application of natural fibre composites in series vehicles to date.

The development is the result of several years of research and close collaboration with partners Bcomp Ltd., Cobra Advanced Composites and PPG Wörwag Coatings. A central challenge was adapting natural fibre composites to the strict requirements of series production, where structural performance must be combined with consistently high surface quality. This was particularly demanding for large exterior parts such as the vehicle roof.

The environmental impact of the material choice is reflected in measurable results. BMW Group highlights the example of replacing a carbon fibre roof panel with a flax fibre composite alternative, which can reduce CO₂e emissions by around 40% during production, while also considering end-of-life aspects. At the same time, the material supports lightweight construction targets and is suitable for both exterior and interior applications.

Within BMW Group, the project is seen as more than a single technological milestone. The use of natural fibre composites forms part of a broader strategy to lower emissions across the entire vehicle life cycle. The JEC award confirms this direction and underlines the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing sustainable materials for future series-production vehicles.