BMW News

    Germany's richest woman, Susanne Klatten, will become head of the supervisory board at SGL Carbon, thus extending her influence over the carbon-fiber specialist, two sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters News service.

    SGL, the only European maker of fibers that go into ultra-lightweight carbon-reinforced plastics, was the subject of a headline-grabbing tussle between carmakers BMW—in which Klatten and her family are major investors—and Volkswagen in 2011. At that time, BMW secured a 15.7% stake in SGL, stealing a march on archrival Volkswagen, which controls an 8.18% stake.

    Carbon fiber is 30% lighter than aluminum and 50% lighter than steel, offering carmakers a way to help cut vehicle weight and carbon-dioxide emissions.

    Klatten, currently deputy chairwoman of the supervisory board, owns just under 27% of SGL Carbon via the Skion holding company. "All signs point to Klatten taking over as head of the board," one of the sources told Reuters. The company's current chairman, Max Dietrich Kley, will vacate the role at the next annual shareholder meeting on April 30.

    SGL declined to comment, beyond saying that the agenda for the gathering and the list of candidates for any vacant board positions will be discussed on March 12 at a supervisory-board meeting.––Paul Duchene