Is This the End of Carbon Fiber in European Cars? The EU’s Bold 2029 Ban Explained

• The EU intends to have carbon fiber classified as dangerous by 2029 due to health issues and problems with recycling.

• This means that car and material suppliers, especially from Japan and Europe, must prepare for enormous changes in their production.

• If the prohibition comes into effect, electric cars and super sports cars, in particular, will no longer be able to be built using carbon fiber.

Short Sighted: European Union Plans to Ban Carbon Fiber

A non-binding agreement in the European Union that is set to rock the boat. An amendment to the EU End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive would like to take carbon fiber on board the substances: cadmium, lead, and hexavalent chromium. If the EU ratifies the amendment – the decision could be known as early as 2024 – carbon fiber could be prohibited from automobile, and therefore, electric vehicle production in Europe as of 2029.

This isn’t just bureaucratic rumbling. The automotive industry relies heavily on carbon fiber for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs), sports cars, and high-end performance models. But according to the EU, the dangers posed during dismantling and recycling are too serious to ignore.
What Makes Carbon Fiber "Hazardous"?

Carbon fiber’s biggest strength—its resin-bound, microscopic filaments—is also its greatest risk, according to EU regulators. When a vehicle is disassembled, those filaments can become airborne, potentially lodging in skin, organ linings, or mucous membranes. Moreover, the conductive nature of leftover carbon dust can short-circuit recycling machinery, making the process hazardous and inefficient.

The EU amendment suggests the material could be as risky to handle as lead or mercury during vehicle end-of-life processing, and should therefore be phased out.
Global Impact: Why Automakers Are Concerned

Koenigsegg

Stakeholder Impact

Automakers (Europe & Asia) Major redesigns required; sourcing of new materials needed
Japanese Suppliers Teijin, Toray Industries, and Mitsubishi Chemical could lose major clients
EV Manufacturers Tesla, BMW, Hyundai, and Lucid would need to pivot away from carbon fiber
Aircraft & Wind Turbine Sectors Heavy lobbying expected to delay or prevent the law
Teijin’s Response:

"This is not an issue for an individual company, and we need to coordinate with industry groups of fiber and automobiles to deal with this," a spokesperson told Nikkei.

Pagani

Market Turbulence and Industry Pushback

Following the EU’s announcement, shares of Japanese carbon fiber giants plummeted, with Japan holding over 52% of the global carbon fiber market. Automotive uses represent up to 20% of total carbon fiber consumption, but Europe alone consumes a significant portion of that through luxury automakers.

While the amendment still requires approval from the European Parliament, European Commission, and the European Council, the aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy sectors are expected to push back heavily.

Yet, even if the law isn’t passed, many companies are already preparing to move away from carbon fiber to avoid future regulatory hurdles.
What’s Next? Alternatives & Industry Outlook

Manufacturers are already exploring viable alternatives to carbon fiber:

Aluminum – Easier to recycle, but adds more weight

Magnesium alloys – Lightweight but more expensive and harder to source

Natural fiber composites – An eco-conscious and emerging material option

The global carbon fiber market, worth approximately $5.48 billion in 2024, was projected to grow to $17.08 billion by 2035, driven by transportation and aerospace sectors. The proposed EU regulation could dramatically reshape that trajectory.
The Science Behind the Concerns

A 2019 report from Germany’s Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health concluded that bio-persistent fibers like carbon can increase risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma when inhaled.

However, a 2022 joint study by four German universities questioned whether all carbon fiber dust presents a danger. Still, the consensus remains that resin- or plastic-bound particles continue to pose legitimate health concerns.

Conclusion: A Catalyst for Safer Innovation?

Whether or not the amendment is enacted, the EU’s stance is a wake-up call. For an industry obsessed with performance and efficiency, rethinking lightweight materials could lead to the next wave of automotive innovation—more sustainable, safer, and just as fast.