Carbon fibre research could lead to more jobs: Alberta scientists

Alberta scientists are working to find a cheaper way to turn bitumen into carbon fibre, which is five times stronger than steel.

Alberta scientists are working to find a cheaper way to turn bitumen into carbon fibre, which could help boost the provincial economy.

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Carbon fibre is made of crystalline filaments of carbon and is about five times stronger than steel. It can be used to make anything from spacecraft parts to hockey sticks and can be used to reinforce pipelines.

“The idea is that there was something about the chemistry of bitumen that could be used in different ways beyond the ways it’s being used now in terms of energy,” said Alberta Innovates CEO Mike Mahon during a tour of their carbon fibre facility Thursday.

Bitumen from the oil sands is put through a process called “spinning,” which creates long filaments that resemble hair. Those filaments, strung together, run through a machine and several furnaces to improve its properties, turning the lower value parts of the bitumen into carbon fibre that can increase its value by two-and-a-half times.

“Creating carbon fibre from it, that enables you to create a higher value product from the lower value component,” said pilot facilities and operations manager Neil Yaremchuk.

Mahon said this process requires 50 per cent less energy that typical carbon fibre manufacturing.

“From a manufacturing perspective as well as an environmental perspective, this is very attractive,” said the CEO.

The next step is refining the technology out of the lab and into larger-scale manufacturing, which could attract companies to Alberta, creating jobs in the years ahead.

“The cost of moving bitumen to other parts of the county, around the world, is part of what companies will consider,” said Mahon.

Alberta Innovates said the provincial government is excited about the possibilities. Some organizations have already expressed interest, with one B.C. carbon fibre company relocating to Alberta to use the facility.

“Seeing the real concrete nature of this facility brings some reality to the opportunity that this will provide,” said Mahon.