Mars Materials and North Carolina State University Announce Breakthrough in Carbon Fiber Precursor to Solve Supply Chain Vulnerability

Building upon earlier validation breakthroughs, Mars Materials proves industrial pollution converts into critical carbon fiber precursor needed for the defense industrial base, motorsports and composites research

HOUSTON, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carbon fiber is lighter and stronger than steel, and essential for building military aircraft and high-performance platforms. Yet despite its strategic importance to the National Defense Strategy and supply chain, the United States imports most of the critical starter textile, known as "precursor", needed to manufacture it from overseas, creating a national security risk.

Mars Materials announced its latest breakthrough with North Carolina State University that solves this supply chain vulnerability. The company sources captured pollution from industrial emitters and converts it into a safer, drop-in alternative called Hoigen-C™. The company and university researchers demonstrated that Hoigen-C can be converted into polymer and spun directly into the vital precursor on standard commercial equipment.

Because this new American-made textile is cleaner and free of toxic byproducts, it can be fine-tuned for all composites applications:

• Military aircraft & drones: Lighter frames that let defense aircraft fly farther on less fuel and carry heavier payloads.
• Combat vehicles: Stronger, lighter composite shells that improve mobility and agility in the field.
• Race cars & performance: Ultra-rigid, lightweight chassis components engineered for extreme motorsports.
• Electric power grids: High-strength power line cores that carry more electricity across existing towers.

A Safer, sovereign route to production

Manufacturing this textile requires petroleum and produces deadly byproducts like hydrogen cyanide. Over time, US production has declined, leaving foreign competitors to dominate global supply. Mars Materials eliminates these hazards with a sustainable production route.

Funded by the Textile Innovation Engine, researchers at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles converted Hoigen-C.

“For this advancement, we applied standard industry know-how to convert Hoigen-C into polymer and spin it into precursor,” said Dr. Ericka Ford, Associate Professor at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. “In performance testing, the fiber achieved tensile strength and modulus targets in-line with industry-standard PAN precursors, proving companies can use it as a true drop-in replacement without buying new equipment or having to make changes to their operations.”

“American manufacturers can process our precursor into finished composite parts, but we remain globally dependent on supply of the raw material,” said Aaron Fitzgerald, CEO of Mars Materials. “Because Hoigen-C leaves out deadly chemicals, manufacturing is safer, less complex and cheaper. We are using pollution to establish a sovereign and secure supply chain route to the strongest structural materials on Earth.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hoigen-C support the U.S. defense industrial base?
Hoigen-C is made 100% in the USA, eliminating reliance on vulnerable foreign supply chains.
Does adopting Mars Materials’ precursor require new factory equipment?
Hoigen-C is 100% drop-in for existing formulations. It can be commingled or segregated.
Why is this process safer than legacy manufacturing?
Hoigen-C is hydrogen cyanide-free, removing required safety equipment for handling and subsequent processing.
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Media Advisory: Carbon Fiber 2026 Conference

Mars Materials CEO Aaron Fitzgerald is available to discuss this breakthrough and its strategic value to domestic supply chain security during the conference in Huntsville, Alabama (Nov. 11-12). Media contact below for on-site arrangements.

About Mars Materials

Mars Materials, Inc. PBC™ (“MM”) is a Houston, TX-based startup backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy Fellows, Shell GameChanger program and leading institutional investors. MM makes carbon fiber and polymers from the air. The company makes Hoigen-C™, an industry-validated drop-in monomer made 100% domestically, byproduct-free and carbon-negative. Learn more at www.marsmaterials.tech.

Media Contact:

Aaron Fitzgerald
CEO & Co-Founder, Mars Materials, Inc. PBC
aaron@marsmaterials.tech