OUR STORY

Toyo Rayon's founding objective was to spur major development of the nation and the economy.

At the time, Japan relied heavily on imports of wool and raw cotton for its clothing. Yunosuke Yasukawa, Toyo Rayon's first chairman and the managing director of what was then Mitsui & Co., believed that by achieving domestic production of rayon made from locally sourced pulp, Japan would be able to reduce its dependence on foreign imports, provide better clothing for the nation, and secure much-needed foreign currency. Following Toyo Rayon's founding in 1926, newly-hired technicians acquired technical knowledge and skills from foreign engineers, while the company dedicated itself to improving equipment and facilities, and to developing new products.

Began a technology partnership with DuPont following the development of original nylon processing technology.

Toyo Rayon succeeded in the synthesis and melt spinning of nylon 6 fiber in 1941 but did not begin plans for its mass production until after the war. In 1951, Toyo Rayon concluded a patent licensing agreement with America's DuPont and began full-scale production of nylon fiber.

In 1955, Toyo Rayon expressly laid out a company motto reflecting the management philosophy passed down since its founding. This was revisited in 1986, after which a new corporate motto of "Contributing to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies and products." was established. In 1960, Toyo Rayon set up a foundation to promote and support basic science in Japan. In 1993 and 1994, it established independent science foundations in three Southeast Asian nations, where the company had expanded early on.

A robust R&D infrastructure for developing new products through original technology

Toray's management understood the essential nature of producing new products and technologies based on the results of its own research and technical developments. To achieve this, the company made sure not to rely on technologies borrowed from the West or other companies and circumvented competition from domestic and international firms by differentiating its products and services.
In 1956, Toray established the Central Research Laboratory in Otsu (Shiga Prefecture) and, in 1962, its Basic Research Laboratory in Kamakura (Kanagawa Prefecture). From here, it devoted itself to developing new products. At the Basic Research Laboratory, Toray anticipated strong results from the creative research and technical developments it achieved based on fundamentals in independent research.

Toray's plastics business blossoms into the company's 2nd operational pillar.

Along with Toray's original development of nylon and acrylic fibers, the company licensed polyester technology from the U.K. firm ICI in 1957. With this agreement, Toray became one of the world's leading manufacturers of all three major types of synthetic fiber in the 1960's.
This period saw a rapid growth in plastics with the expansion of the household appliance and automotive industries. Against this backdrop, Toray found success with a business model of guaranteed quality backed by constant exploration of new materials and applications.

Toray's first joint venture in Thailand in 1963 and the transfer of its technology.

Toray established its first joint venture in Thailand with a business that provided integrated spinning, weaving and dyeing of polyester-rayon fabric. Toray's original objective in setting up this venture was to secure a place to export its staple polyester fiber but began overseas production of yarn and raw fiber at about the same time.

A two-pronged strategy of internationalization and diversification

After surviving the Nylon shock, Toray foresaw the eventual maturation of the domestic textile market and began taking measures to expand and develop its overseas operations. The company further sought to diversify into new businesses. To mark this occasion, Toray rebranded with a new name, Toray Industries, Inc., and accelerated the internationalization of its fibers and textiles operations, while diversifying into plastics and other new ventures.

Developing strong and heat-resistant high-performance carbon fibers.

After successfully developing polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber, Toray initiated its test production in quantities of a few hundred grams per month in 1970. Thanks to a boost from the "black shaft" revolution, Toray's production saw stable growth early on that translated into the fiber's adoption as a primary structural material in aircraft in the 1980's. Today, the Toray Group manufactures its carbon fiber around the globe in Japan, France, America, and Korea, earning it the number 1 spot globally in terms of both quality and quantity.

Toray's functional membranes give around 400 million people access to clean water.

Toray began its research on reverse osmosis membranes in the 1960's and started developing its water treatment membrane business in the 1980's. Today, as part of its integrated system proposals, Toray has developed a lineup of membranes with functions covering reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, and more. Toray currently supplies membranes to 70 countries worldwide, which collectively are capable of processing 60 million tons of water a day. This is equivalent to the amount of water used by around 400 million people.

Believing perseverance is power, Toray maintains a steady management philosophy.

Toray has focused special attention on basic research to create innovative products. While some products take as much as fifty or sixty years to find market success, Toray's tenacious investments in R&D have borne fruit in a rich and broad portfolio. With a management philosophy that perseverance is power, Toray has continued to honor its dividend policy towards its shareholders, while providing consistent support to sports and culture through long-term sponsorships of worldwide women's tennis tournaments, the Shanghai International Marathon, and more.