EERE provided funding to Dow Chemical, Ford Motor Company, and ORNL to demonstrate a novel polymer fiber material and production process technology. These funds support EERE’s strategy of investing in emerging technologies that create high-quality, domestic manufacturing jobs and enhance the competitiveness of U.S. companies in today’s global markets. ORNL assisted the Ford-Dow partnership by providing feasibility studies and access to Carbon Fiber process scale-up facilities. This led to the announcement in April 2012 of a joint development agreement to establish low-cost, automotive-grade carbon fiber and develop component manufacturing methods for high-volume automotive applications, building on years of EERE and ORNL research support. The partnership will seek to combine the best of Ford’s capabilities and experience in design, engineering, and high-volume vehicle production with Dow’s strengths in research and development, materials science, and high-volume polymer processing.

Positive Impact

New manufacturing technologies. National lab teams up with two companies to establish better manufacturing and production process technology.

Locations

Tennessee

Partners

Dow Chemical, Ford Motor Company, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

EERE Investment

$9 million

Clean Energy Sector

Energy-saving homes, buildings, and manufacturing

The Advanced Manufacturing Office partners with industry, small business, universities, and other stakeholders to identify and invest in emerging technologies with the potential to create high-quality domestic manufacturing jobs and enhance the global competitiveness of the United States.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.