On Road To Self Reliance: India's Drive To Make 'T100' Carbon Fibre For Strategic Applications

India aims to begin manufacturing of 'T100' type carbon fibre within the next two years, promoting indigenous production and aiming to overcome import licensing restrictions that currently hinder its utilisation in strategic applications.

This was stated by NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat, while speaking on the sidelines of a CII conference on "Advancements in Composites, Speciality Fibres and Chemicals".

"I am confident that in the coming 2-2.5 years India will be able to make its own carbon fibre T100 which can be used in manufacturing of hydrogen cylinders, missiles, launch vehicles, aircraft, bullet proof jackets and construction of bridges,” he said.

T100 carbon fibre finds applications across various sectors including defence, aerospace, and civil engineering.

It is utilised in the production of hydrogen cylinders, missiles, launch vehicles, aircraft, bulletproof jackets, and in the construction of bridges.

Saraswat said, “The licensing pattern of foreign nations is such that they are not giving us T100 material for any strategic applications. We want to overcome this and therefore the government's programme is to promote development of its indigenous production,"

To address these challenges, and aiming to boost indigenous production, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited are spearheading efforts to begin manufacturing carbon fibre in India.