Biobased carbon fibre – Breakthrough Bio-Based Carbon Fibre Innovation Powers Mercedes-AMG W16 to Unprecedented Sustainability Gains While Delivering Elite Performance in Competitive Global Motorsport Events 12-11-2025
Biobased carbon fibre
The global motorsport industry is rapidly evolving, and sustainability is becoming a defining driver of innovation. A major milestone in this transformation occurred at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when a Mercedes-AMG W16 race car competed with components made from Syensqo’s advanced bio-based carbon fibre. This achievement marked the first time the team used a sustainable composite on a performance-critical component under real race conditions, signaling a new era in the engineering of lightweight, renewable racing materials.
A breakthrough moment for sustainable high-performance racing
During the September race in Baku, the Mercedes-AMG W16 driven by George Russell featured rear brake duct wheel shields manufactured using Syensqo’s MTM 49-3 epoxy prepreg. This next-generation material incorporates 30% bio-based ingredients, offering a meaningful step forward for environmental responsibility in motorsport. Unlike experimental concepts that remain in research labs, this composite demonstrated its value in an elite competitive environment, proving that bio-derived materials can meet some of the most demanding performance standards in the world. Biobased carbon fibre
The racing industry traditionally relies heavily on fossil-based composite materials due to their strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and heat resistance. Introducing a bio-derived alternative that matches those characteristics represents a dramatic leap forward. This is one of the reasons the new MTM 49-3 has quickly gained attention, winning the Green Tech Award at the prestigious Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium only months after its launch.
The science and performance behind MTM 49-3
Syensqo’s MTM 49-3 is engineered from monomers partly sourced from renewable feedstocks. Despite containing 30% bio-based content, it maintains the same mechanical strength, 190°C glass-transition temperature, and industry-proven processability as conventional epoxy systems. For manufacturers and race teams, identical performance metrics are crucial. The material must withstand extreme conditions such as intense brake heat, constant vibration, and aerodynamic forces—especially when used in components exposed to airflow and rotational motion. Biobased carbon fibre
Beyond durability, the lightweight advantages of composites make them indispensable in racing. Syensqo’s bio-based carbon fibre offers up to 40% weight reduction compared to metals, helping teams improve speed, fuel efficiency, and handling. These performance gains align seamlessly with the broader shift toward electrification, hybrid systems, and aerodynamic optimization in motorsport engineering. As a result, introducing renewable composites is more than a sustainability gesture—it can be a competitive advantage.
Industry recognition and momentum toward greener racing
The Green Tech Award presented to Syensqo underscores the growing recognition of sustainable innovation in motorsport. The award highlights material advancements that combine environmental responsibility with exceptional engineering capabilities. Accepting the award, Syensqo’s leadership team emphasized that MTM 49-3 demonstrates how advanced materials can support the racing world’s transition toward lower fossil use without reducing performance expectations.
Their message reinforces an important shift: sustainability is no longer treated as a trade-off in motorsport design. Instead, it is increasingly seen as a performance partner. The development of bio-based carbon fibre is a clear illustration of how composite technology can evolve to meet environmental and competitive demands simultaneously.
Mercedes-AMG’s commitment to long-term sustainability
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One has made public commitments to reduce its environmental impact across operations, logistics, and vehicle development. Incorporating bio-based composite materials into race-ready parts adds a new dimension to this strategy. According to the team’s sustainability leadership, integrating Syensqo’s resin sets a new benchmark for what future motorsport components can achieve—not only in terms of weight reduction and strength, but also in responsible sourcing.
A noteworthy detail is that the bio-based content in MTM 49-3 is derived from by-products associated with biodiesel production. This means the resin is connected to a circular ecosystem of renewable resources instead of primary fossil feedstocks. In motorsport, where material lifecycles are often short due to continual part evolution, reducing reliance on fossil-based inputs provides major long-term environmental benefits.
A catalyst for the future of sustainable engineering
The successful deployment of bio-based carbon fibre in a Formula One environment is likely to influence broader automotive and aerospace sectors. When a material performs under the extreme conditions of racing, it often becomes a candidate for commercial applications. Lightweight composites already play essential roles in electric vehicle platforms, structural applications, and high-efficiency aerospace components. As sustainability standards tighten, bio-derived alternatives like MTM 49-3 could accelerate the shift toward cleaner manufacturing and reduced lifecycle emissions.
This milestone will likely inspire other teams and manufacturers to invest in renewable composite solutions. It demonstrates that sustainable engineering can integrate seamlessly into high-performance design without compromising safety or speed. The adoption of bio-based carbon fibre in motorsport also supports global goals for lowering carbon footprints and transitioning to circular material systems.
A defining step in motorsport’s sustainability evolution
The introduction of Syensqo’s bio-based carbon fibre into the Mercedes-AMG W16 race car is more than a technical achievement—it is a symbolic moment. It shows the racing community that renewable materials are ready for real-world competition and capable of driving measurable progress. As motorsport continues pushing the boundaries of innovation, integrating such materials ensures that speed, safety, and sustainability move forward together.
The momentum generated by this accomplishment is expected to fuel future breakthroughs in composite science, vehicle design, and responsible material sourcing. With this achievement, Syensqo and Mercedes-AMG have set the stage for a new era where bio-based carbon fibre becomes a cornerstone of next-generation performance engineering.
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