Carbures, a maker of carbon fiber composite structures and one of the newest tenants of the South Carolina Technology & Aviation Center, announced a Joint Venture with Guanglian Aeronautic Composite Materials Process & Equipment Co. Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of carbon fiber parts for the aviation sector. The creation of Harbin Carbures Guanglian Composite Aeronautic Co. will favorably impact Carbures' growth in South Carolina, resulting in 50 new jobs for engineers and designers at its Greenville facility.

According to Carbures USA CEO Ivan Contreras, Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Centre drives the local aeronautic supply chain development with the joint venture between Carbures and Guanglian Aeronautic. The new venture enhances Carbures' position as a preferred Tier 2 supplier in the fast-growing Asian market, which is expected to make up 30% of the global aviation marketplace in the next 20 years. "Working with Guanglian Aeronautic, a Tier 1 company with an outstanding reputation in China, we will be able to accelerate the production of carbon fiber parts for Airbus over the next 10 years," Contreras explained. "This investment will make Carbures the only Tier 2 supplier in the world with a presence in the major aviation markets of China, United States and Europe."

Entry into the China market will enable Carbures to secure a strong position as a supplier for aviation firms as well as Tier 1 suppliers. Carbures will benefit by obtaining a greater share of aviation work and better access to new Asian markets. Located in Harbin, the new manufacturing facility will be in full operation by 2014.