Toyota Motor Corporation commended Toray for the interior materials (luggagespace trim surface and floor mat) used in its new model of hybrid Lexus, launched on July 14. These materials were made of environmentally-friendly fibers featuring polylactic acid (PLA) and plant-derived polyesters.

Toray, Toyota Motor and Toyota Boshoku Corporation collaborated in developing unique durability improvement technology as well as composite technologies that were included in these fibers in order to meet strict property demands on automobiles.

In addition to Toyota Motor deciding to use these environmentally-friendly materials in other models, marketing to other motor companies is in progress. As the importance of environmentallyfriendly products is growing, Toray recognizes plant-derived materials as a core material in this business and plans to widely distribute them for other applications.