Toray Industries, Inc. of Japan is the recognized worldwide leader in the carbon fiber industry, having pioneered development ... of PAN-based carbon fibers over 30 years ago. The Toray Group, including its US-based subsidiary, Toray Carbon Fibers America, Inc., is the world's largest producer of PAN (polyacrylonitrile)-based carbon fibers, with manufacturing and distribution facilities in the United States, Europe and Japan and a current installed capacity of 7300 tons per year. Toray's TORAYCA® brand carbon fibers are globally recognized for their outstanding performance, quality and processing consistency, making them the preferred choice of designers, engineers and fabricators worldwide. Toray Carbon Fibers America, Inc. began producing TORAYCA carbon fibers in Decatur, Alabama in 1999, at a site established expressly for that purpose. The Decatur facility houses the world's largest single carbon fiber production line, with a nominal capacity of 4 million pounds per year (1,800 tons per year), which will be expanded to 8 million pounds per year (3,600 tons per year), by early 2006. Toray has announced additional expansions at the facilities in Japan, Toray Carbon Fibers America and Soficar. After completion of these three additional lines in 2008 and 2009, the Toray Group's global PAN-based carbon fiber production capacity will reach 18,900 tons per year. While originating as primarily an aerospace material, cost-effective TORAYCA® carbon fibers are used today in a wide variety of industrial and recreational applications as well. Toray is ready to help you realize your vision. While we hope many of your questions are answered through this site, please do not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions you may have. read more