Toray to double carbon fiber capacity at Jalisco plant

10 March, 2017

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Japan-based Toray, the world’s largest carbon fibres producer, is integrating Toray Carbon Fibers America and Toray Composites, thereby combining the US manufacturing and sales of carbon fibre and prepreg, respectively.

Beginning April 2017, the new name of this single business will be Toray Composite Materials America (CMA). The new company will have sales of approximately US$ 619 million and about 1,000 employees.

At the same time, Zoltek Companies, a Toray subsidiary, plans to increase large tow carbon fibre production. Firstly, the Toray subsidiary plans to double the capacity at its Mexican plant to more than 10,000 tons a year.

This expansion project, together with existing carbon fibre capacity at the Hungary facility, will grow Zoltek's total global ability to more than 20,000 tons per year.

Zoltek's PX35 industrial grade carbon fibre has become the standard commercial carbon material of choice across various industries. Growing demand for industrial grade carbon fibre for use in wind, automotive, and other commercial applications is a key driver in the decision to expand.

"It is clear the utilisation of Zoltek's carbon fibre is on the rise across a variety of industries, in particular, for automotive and wind energy applications," said Yoshihiro Takeuchi, president and CEO of Zoltek.

"A key part of the Zoltek strategy is to maintain supply availability for commercial markets. This latest capacity expansion will support this strategy as we see continued demand growth in our major markets," Takeuchi said

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