In a significant move to support the global clean energy revolution, Toray Industries, a leading Japanese chemical company, has unveiled plans to boost its carbon fibre production capacity at facilities in South Carolina, USA, and Korea. The expansion aims to cater to the escalating demand for pressure vessel applications and aligns with Toray’s commitment to sustainability and its ambitious goal of contributing to a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
The capital investments will involve the addition of production lines to Toray Composite Materials America’s Spartanburg plant in South Carolina and Toray Advanced Materials Korea’s Gumi plant in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. These strategic investments will result in a remarkable increase of over 20 percent in the Toray Group’s annual capacity, reaching 35,000 metric tons by 2025.
The decision to expand the production capacity is driven by the growing market demand for pressure vessel applications in the United States and Korea. With the ongoing clean energy revolution focusing on hydrogen, natural gas, and various industrial applications, Toray’s capacity expansions will target high-strength carbon fibres, reaching up to 24,000 filaments per tow. Moreover, the increased capacity will also contribute to meeting the supply requirements of other core markets, including the aviation industry.
According to Toray’s projections, the demand for regular tow carbon fiber is expected to grow by a staggering 17 percent annually, driven by the decarbonization megatrend. This trend highlights the increasing need for compressed natural gas delivery vehicles, gas transportation tanks, and other pressure vessel applications. Furthermore, the adoption of regular tow carbon fiber in passenger cars, trucks, trains, and ships utilizing fuel cells is anticipated to rise. Toray aims to seize this opportunity by providing innovative and sustainable solutions to meet these evolving market demands.
Toray Industries has prioritized sustainable growth through its medium-term management program, Project AP-G 2025. By accelerating measures to combat climate change, the company aims to leverage the industrial applications of its carbon fiber composite materials business. Toray is fully committed to its corporate philosophy of creating new value and contributing to society, with the ultimate aim of achieving a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
The expansion of carbon fibre production capacity by Toray Industries underscores its unwavering dedication to meeting the growing demand for clean energy applications. As the world transitions towards a sustainable future, Toray’s efforts will play a crucial role in supporting various industries, reducing carbon emissions, and driving the adoption of advanced technologies in pursuit of a greener planet.