SGL Carbon (Wiesbaden, Germany; www.sglgroup.com) said it plans to examine the usual “strategic options” for its Carbon Fibers division – including a “partial or complete sale”. SGL Carbon would thus lose a good fifth of its total sales. “We are seeking a partner or new owner who can provide the necessary resources to further develop the business and position it for a successful future,” said CEO Torsten Derr.

Carbon Fibers was hit hard last year by the slump in demand from the wind industry market. The management had initially assumed that the order situation would recover quickly. This, however, never came to pass. With sales of just under EUR 180 mn (excluding joint ventures) for the first three quarters of 2023 – a decrease of one third against the same period of the previous year – the Carbon Fiber division was already in the red, with adjusted EBITDA of EUR 11 mn after a plus of EUR 28 mn in the same period of the previous year.

Related: SGL presents 50k carbon fibres for hydrogen pressure tanks

Even if demand were to pick up again, SGL Carbon probably still would lack the money for investments needed to remain competitive in the global market. Carbon Fibers produces textiles, acrylic and carbon fibres, and composite materials at seven locations in Europe and North America. With a nominal carbon fibre capacity of around 13,000 t/y, the division ranks fifth in the world, almost on a par with Teijin and Mitsubishi, but well behind market leader Toray.