Carbon Costs Skyrocket

Carbon fibre is the material-of-choice for high-end bikes and components, but a recent price increase could make it difficult for the cyclists to get their carbon fibre-fix. The three main suppliers of carbon fibre material, Toray Industries Inc., Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd. and Toho Tenax Co. have announced a price increase of 66 percent for next year. In the short term, this could radically drive up the cost of carbon fibre products and may also influence future product development decisions.

There is speculation that these price increases are due to the aerospace industry buying-up existing manufacturing capacity resulting in less carbon fibre for cycling manufacturers.

More details here.