Toray Composites (America) (TCA), located in Tacoma, Washington, produces TORAYCA® prepreg. This is mainly destined for aerospace and automotive applications for the US market.
Toray says TCA's existing facilities have been operating at full capacity to keep up with growing demand from the Boeing 787 programme. The addition of new production follows Boeing’s decision (October 2013) to raise the monthly assembly rate of its 787 aircraft to 12 in 2016 from the current 10.
The expanded facilities at TCA will also allow the company to cater to other high value-added markets, where demand is expected to increase in the future.
The new facility is expected to start production in January 2016.
Plans to expand
Toray is planning to actively expand its carbon fibre composites business in its next medium-term management programme, currently under consideration.
The company has been steadily strengthening this business over recent years. Most recently, it announced the US$584 million acquisition of US-headquartered carbon fibre manufacturer Zoltek. This acquisition is expected to close by the end of April.
