India will start manufacturing 'T100' type of carbon fiber in the next 2.5 years in a bid to overcome the import licensing restrictions that prevent its use in strategic applications, NITI Aayog member V K Saraswat said on Thursday.
T100 carbon fiber is used in defense, aerospace, and civil engineering sectors, in the making of hydrogen cylinders, missiles, launch vehicles, aircraft, bulletproof jackets, and bridge construction among others.
"I am confident that in the coming 2-2.5 years India will be able to make its carbon fiber T100 which can be used in the manufacturing of hydrogen cylinders, missiles, launch vehicles, aircraft, bulletproof jackets, and construction of bridges.
"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 program is to promote the development of its indigenous production," Saraswat said.
He shared that Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) are engaged in the efforts to begin manufacturing carbon fiber in India.
The NITI Aayog member was speaking on the sidelines of a CII conference on Advancements in Composites, Speciality Fibres, and Chemicals.
