Jump to main content

Jump to global navigation

Jump to local navigation

Jump to header utility

Jump to footer

HOME > AboutUs > Press Releases

Press Release

  • AboutUs
  • Message from President
  • Corporate Philosophy
  • Long-term Business Prospect
  • Corporate Brand
  • Corporate Governance
  • About Toray
  • Press Release
  • latest News
  • Archive by Keywords
  • Fibers & Textiles
  • Plastics
  • Films
  • Chemicals
  • Water Treatment Membranes & Related Equipments
  • Carbon Fibers & Composite Materials
  • Electronics & Information Related Products
  • Pharmaceuticals & Medical Products
  • Amenity Products
  • Fashion & Apparel
  • Housing & Engineering
  • Information, Services & Other Products
  • Management
  • Environment
  • Research and Development
  • Community Relations
  • Affiliated Companies
  • Others
  • Archives by year
  • Events & Sports
  • Our Businesses
  • Activities of the TORAY Group
  • Our People
Aug. 23, 2006

Toray to Establish a New Polypropylene Spunbond Company in China

Toray Industries, Inc. today announced its decision to establish a new company in China for the production and sales of highly functional polypropylene spunbond and its processed goods. The company has been tentatively named Toray Polytech (Nantong) Co., Ltd. (TPN). TPN will be established in the Economic & Technological Development Zone of Nantong in Jiangsu, China in this October and its production facilities are expected to start operations from February 2008.

The polypropylene spunbond business of the Toray Group is currently centered on its South Korean subsidiary Toray Saehan Inc. (TSI), which boasts an annual production capacity of 49,000 tons and caters not only to the domestic market but also to other Asian countries including Japan, China and the ASEAN members. In the move announced this time, the Group made the decision to begin production and sales in China in response to the expected rapid rise in demand in the country. This project, which adds a manufacturing base to the Nantong district in China where Toray Group already has its business foundation, is expected to boost the Group’s investment efficiency in the country. The project is also expected to contribute to reduction in distribution costs, allowing the Group to exploit its competitiveness to a greater extent.

The new company will have the latest machine (annual production capacity of 18,000 tons) made by a German manufacturer with an excellent track record in non-woven fabric equipment, and it will manufacture multi-layered non-woven fabric that combine spunbond and melt blow non-woven fabric. Major applications of the product include sanitary materials such as paper diapers and sanitary napkins, medical applications such as surgical gowns and medical drapes and industrial and agricultural-related materials.

While the demand for highly functional polypropylene spunbond used in such applications is expanding at a rapid pace in China, the domestic production is not sufficient to meet the demands and the country currently is relying on imports. The Toray Group aims to take advantage of the technology, expertise and track record established at TSI in manufacturing and sales of highly functional polypropylene spunbond in China and meet the requirements of the expanding demand from its customers expanding into China as well as local customers.

Establishment of the new company will boost the Toray Group’s production capacity to 67,000 tons a year, making it one of the top suppliers in Asia. The Group is also considering further expansion of its production facilities to meet possible increase in demand in the future and aims to be the No. 1 polypropylene spunbond supplier in Asia.

<Outline of the new company>
1. Name (tentative): Toray Polytech (Nantong) Co. Ltd. (TPN)
2. Business: Manufacturing and sales of polypropylene spunbond and its processed goods
3. Location: Nantong, Jiangsu, China
4. To be established: October 2006 (expected)
5. Capital: 248 million yuan (approximately 3.7 billion yen)
6. Shareholders: Toray Saehan 50%, Toray Industries 40%, Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd. 10%
7. Representatives: Chairman (expected) – Lee Young Kwan
President (expected) – Kim Jin Nyun

Reference:
1. Toray Saehan Inc.
(1) Business: Manufacturing and sales of polyester film, polyester filament yarns, polyester filaments, non-woven fabric and polypropylene spunbond non-woven fabric
(2) Location: Seoul, South Korea
(3) Established: October 1999
(4) Capital: 356.9 billion won (as of June 30, 2006)
(5) Shareholders: Toray Industries 90%, Korea Saehan Inc. 10%
(6) Representatives: Chairman & CEO Hitoshi Morino
President & CEO Young Kwan Lee

2. Toray Industries (China) Co., Ltd.
(1) Business: Management of Toray Group’s operations in China
(2) Location: Shanghai, China
(3) Established: July 2002
(4) Capital: $100 million (as of December 31, 2005)
(5) Shareholders: Toray Industries 100%
(6) Representatives: Chairman – Akikazu Shimomura
President – Eizo Tanaka
# # #
Back Back to News Index

PAGETOP