MOSES LAKE - The construction of BMW and SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers' Moses Lake plant is on schedule for the commissioning of its first carbon fiber line during this year's third quarter.

On April 20, employees officially took over the building, said Elizabeth Breyer, a company spokesperson.

"We're moving forward with testing equipment," she explained.

Nearly all of the 46 employees for the Moses Lake plant have been hired. Six workers remain to be brought on.

Once production starts, the plant manufactures carbon fibers for the future BMW Megacity vehicle, which is to be launched in 2013, according to a company statement.

The company, SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, is a joint venture between the SGL Group and BMW Group.

In Otake, Japan, SGL has a joint venture company with Mitsubishi Rayon, called SGL-MRC. 

They are working together to produce the raw material precursor for carbon fibers at the Moses Lake plant, the company states.

Work on SGL-MRC's plant in Japan is also on track and the company started making precursor. The plant's development wasn't impacted by Japan's earthquake in March.

"We are proud to be a partner of SGL Group and the BMW Group in this milestone project for the automotive industry," stated Takahiro Ono, representative director at the Japan production site. "We did everything possible to fulfill the high expectations of SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers and meet the tight schedule during these difficult times."

The product is brought to the Moses Lake plant during the second quarter of this year.

"The objective of our joint venture with Mitsubishi Rayon is to ensure the exclusive 50,000 precursor for SGL Group and consequently also for SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, our joint venture with the BMW Group," stated Jurgen Kohler, chairman of SGL Group's Business Unit Carbon Fibers and Composite Materials. "Thanks to the close cooperation with our partner Mitsubishi Rayon, we were able to set up the new precursor production within the challenging time schedule as announced one year ago. We are now ready to provide precursor, which is a key success factor for the carbon fibers and fabrics used in the new BMW i3."

Moses Lake workers do not have the opportunity to work at the Japan plant because it is a supply joint venture, not a process one, Breyer stated.