The Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG Group) is proud to announce it has attained full ownership of CPC SRL (CPC), a renowned Italian company specializing in the manufacturing and distribution of automobile components crafted from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This pivotal acquisition that began with minority ownership in 2017 aligns with MCG Group’s long-term strategic vision to further expand and enhance its vertically integrated carbon fiber supply chain. The transaction, subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in late 2023.
Ralph Meier, MCG Group Vice President of Specialty Materials Business Group in Europe, highlights the significance of this acquisition: “This marks a pivotal moment in our journey, reaffirming our commitment to delivering a complete solution to the carbon fiber market. We have had a great working relationship with CPC, and this acquisition represents the natural next step, allowing us to take our offerings to the next level.”
Franco Iorio, CPC CEO and majority shareholder, emphasizes teamwork’s power in this endeavor. “The MCG Group and CPC are dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition. Our decade-long partnership, now being finalized with a full acquisition, represents a unified effort to provide our customers with the best possible solutions and to drive innovation in the industry through a fully vertical supply chain system.”
CFRP has drawn increasing interest in the global automobile market due to its role in making car bodies lighter—a crucial factor in meeting stringent fuel economy regulations and reducing CO2 emissions. With the automotive industry moving rapidly toward using CFRP in their auto components, the MCG Group is poised to become a dominant player by offering optimal solutions to customers throughout the value chain, from component design to production.
CPC has technological expertise and know-how in a range of auto component fields, including component design and simulation, molding of carbon fiber composite materials, tooling and mold design and manufacturing, painting composites and sub-component assembly. With one of the world’s largest press facilities capable of developing and molding large component materials exclusively dedicated to composite materials, the MCG Group is well-positioned to accelerate the use of carbon fiber composite materials such as Sheet Molding Compound (CF-SMC) and Prepreg Compression Molding (PCM) in automotive components by leveraging CPC’s design capabilities, molding technologies, development and proposal power, and its commercial distribution networks with European and U.S. car makers.
This partnership extends beyond immediate goals, with both the MCG Group and CPC committed to cooperating further in providing sustainable solutions for the future, including the development of bio-based and recycled carbon fiber intermediate materials.
In summary, the MCG Group’s acquisition of CPC clearly indicates the strong dedication to continuity, excellence, and vertical integration along the entire carbon fiber parts value chain, from acrylonitrile to finished parts. As the MCG Group embarks on this journey, it remains committed to delivering the same high-quality products and services that have been its hallmark, driven by the strong working relationship between the groups and a shared vision for the industry’s future.