Commodity Production Costs Report
Carbon Fiber Production from Pitch
Carbon Fiber Operating Costs & Plant Construction Costs
This report presents a feasibility study of a process for Carbon Fiber production from petroleum pitch in the United States. The process starts with a preparation step that converts the pitch into mesophase pitch. The mesophase pitch is then stabilized and passes through carbonization, graphitization, surface treatment and sizing, before being wound.
The report provides a comprehensive study of Carbon Fiber production and related Carbon Fiber production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Carbon Fiber production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Carbon Fiber plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Carbon Fiber plant operating costs (Opex).
The Carbon Fiber production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Carbon Fiber plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Carbon Fiber plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
Key reference(s): ?

The process under analysis comprises three major sections: (1) Pitch treatment and spinning; (2) Stabilization, carbonization and graphitization; and (3) Surface treatment and sizing.
Pitch treatment and spinning. The first step in the production of pitch-based carbon fiber consists in a pitch treatment, in which the petroleum pitch is converted into a liquid crystalline phase called mesophase pitch, with adequate spinnability. The treatment involves heating the pitch at 350-450°C using a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen for sparging. The mesophase pitch is cooled down and solidified, and then melt spun into pitch fibers. The mesophase pitch spinning is performed by termed melt extrusion.
Stabilization, carbonization and graphitization. The thermoplastic pitch fiber previously obtained is oxidized into infusible thermosetting fibers, by means of gas-phase oxidation, at 250 - 400°C. This stabilization aims to prevent softening and resulting deformation of the pitch fibers upon heating downstream. After stabilization, the pitch fibers are carbonized in a multi-zone furnace, under an inert atmosphere, in successive heating zones with temperatures increasing ranging from 700 to 2,000°C. The carbonization’s goal is to remove elements other than carbon from the fibers, and grows graphite crystals (graphitization). The carbonized fibers are then heated to higher temperatures (2,500 - 3,000°C), in order to increase carbon fiber’s tensile modulus of elasticity.
Surface treatment and sizing. The carbon fibers are submitted to anodic oxidation (electrolytic bath), so as to roughen filaments surface and introduce functional groups into the fiber surface (improving interfacial fiber/matrix bonding). The carbon fiber is then coated with a solution of resin, to protect it in downstream operations and keep filaments adhered together in individual tows. Finally, the carbon fiber is wound onto bobbins and stored.
Report in PDF Format
Download & Explore Anytime
Access in Various Devices
Print & Read Comfortably
Share With Co-workers
Up-to-date Report
Professional report based on Q3 2024 economic data, ensuring timely evaluations.
Multiple Use Cases
Ideal for investment screening, feasibility studies, cost estimates, and research planning.
Proven Methodology
Developed using a consistent methodology honed over a decade, ensuring reliable cost analyses.
Report Editions
Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the Carbon Fiber production plant examined.
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements.
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of Carbon Fiber process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline.
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the Carbon Fiber production plant studied.
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation.
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different Carbon Fiber plant capacities.
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL).
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other Carbon Fiber Production Cost Reports

Carbon Fiber Production from PAN Fiber
This report provides a techno-economic analysis of a typical Carbon Fiber production process starting from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber in the United States. In this process, PAN fiber is first stabilized. The stabilized PAN passes then through carbonization, surface treatment and sizing, before being winded.
Details: 2.5 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A | From $1,199 USD
Could Not Find the Report You Need?
Obtain a Bespoke Report
Get a report targeting the process in which you are interested
See Offer Details
Understand Bespoke Reports and how you can easily order them
Check Editions & Pricing
Complete a brief form and see a quotation for your Bespoke Report
Other Related Production Cost Reports

Ethylene Glycol Production from Carbon Dioxide
This study presents the economics of Monoethylene Glycol (MEG) production from carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United States using an electrochemical process similar to Liquid Light process. Initially, CO2 is electrochemically reduced and acidified into oxalic acid. Then, oxalic acid is esterified with methanol producing dimethyl oxalate, which is hydrogenated forming MEG.
Details: 150 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue C | From $799 USD

Maleic Anhydride from Butane (Fixed-Bed Reactor + Solvent-Based Recovery)
This feasibility study presents an analysis of Maleic Anhydride production from n-butane in the United States using a process similar to the one developed by Huntsman. In this process, maleic anhydride is produced by the partial oxidation reaction of n-butane with oxygen carried out in a fixed-bed reactor, using a vanadium–phosphorus oxide (VPO) catalyst supported on silica. The reactor effluent is directed to a solvent-based recovery system for Maleic Anhydride separation.
Details: 60 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A | From $799 USD
+800 Reports Developed, Targeting +250 Commodities
Vast Report Library
858 independent and up-to-date reports examining embryonic and established production processes.
Free Sample Reports
Quickly understand the structure and depth of content of our professional reports.