Toray paves way for more carbon fiber production in Korea

[Courtesy of Toray Korea]

Toray Advanced Materials has initiated the expansion of its carbon fiber production capabilities in South Korea to meet the growing demand for the materials in industries such as high-pressure hydrogen tanks, urban air mobility (UAM), and aircraft fuselages.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, at the Gumi 4th Plant in Gyeongbuk Province to mark the start of the expansion project for the third carbon fiber production line.

The ceremony was attended by over 200 individuals, including Akihiro Nikkaku, Chairman of Toray Industries, Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, and Kim Jang-ho, Mayor of Gumi City.

Carbon fiber is highly sought after for its outstanding properties, including high tensile strength and lightweight properties, making them ideal for applications that require high durability and lightweight materials.

The demand for carbon fibers is expected to surge in sectors such as high-pressure hydrogen tanks, urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, and aircraft fuselages. Toray Advanced Materials has been a key player in this industry, with a production capacity of 4,700 metric tons annually. The expansion of the third production line is set to increase the annual production capacity to 8,000 metric tons.

“The third production line is expected to be a state-of-the-art technological marvel, representing the culmination of our expertise and innovation in carbon fiber production,” according to the company’s spokesperson.