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20 August 2009

AEROSPACE QUALIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT


Since July 2009, Tenax® HTS 3k, 6k and 12k fibers have been qualified to the NMS 818 dry fiber specification. This allows manufacturers and designers to call out an industry standard, 0PCD controlled, aerospace grade carbon fiber without the expense of writing and maintaining their own in house specifications.

NCAMP
The National Center for Advanced Materials Performance is based at Wichita State University. NCAMP's mission is to provide the nation with a center for the validation and quality assurance of composites and advanced materials to be applied in the commercial and military aviation industry through (a) data-sharing among multiple users, (b) statistical continuity from one length-scale to another and (c) reduced testing via increased capability and use of numerical/analytical simulation tools.

NASA, the aircraft industry and the FAA have worked together to develop a cost-effective method of qualifying composite materials by sharing central material qualification databases, such as Military Handbook 17 (now Composite Materials Handbook 17 - http://www.cmh17.org), and the databases formed through NASA's Advanced General Aviation Transport Experiments (AGATE) program. Through these shared databases, a manufacturer can select an approved composite material system to fabricate parts and perform a smaller subset of testing to a specific application. For materials to be accepted into these shared databases, it is required that the raw materials be manufactured in accordance with material specifications, which impose control of the key physical, chemical and mechanical properties.

Toho Tenax America, Inc., is your Americas source for Tenax® brand carbon fibers. Tenax® fibers deliver reinforcing excellence for diverse end-use applications including; Aerospace, Wind Energy, Surface Transportation, Offshore Oil and Pressure Vessels.

For more information contact: Peter W. Oswald; VP Marketing


30 May 2007

TOHO TENAX TO BECOME WHOLLY OWNED
SUBSIDIARY OF TEIJIN 1 SEPTEMBER 2007

In February of 2000 Teijin Ltd. became the majority shareholder of Toho Rayon Co., Ltd. now doing business as Toho Tenax Co., Ltd. Subsequently; Teijin increased its shareholding to today's level of 68.41%.

The Board of Directors meeting of Toho Tenax Co. Ltd. and Teijin Ltd. held on May 28, 2007, resolved to convert Toho Tenax to a wholly (100%) owned subsidiary, effective September 1, 2007 via a stock swap.

Download PDF of Teijin Press Release

15 April 2006

TENAX® Capacity Increase

Capacity Expansion for Carbon Fiber TENAX®

The board of Toho Tenax Co., Ltd. ("TOHO") passed a resolution today for the capacity expansion of PAN-based carbon fiber "TENAX®". TOHO plans to install in its Mishima plant, Japan, a new carbonization line with annual production capacity of 2,700 metric tons, with startup scheduled in April 2008. Also, the expansion of its precursor (raw material of carbon fibers) production capacity is to be pursued in parallel. The capital expenditure for the new capacities for both carbon fiber and precursor will be 10.7 billion yen. Consequently, TOHO group's annual production capacity for carbon fiber will reach 11,800 metric tons in April 2008.

Demand for PAN-based carbon fibers is expected to grow at an annual rate of between 10 and 15 % and will already exceed 30,000 metric tons in the year 2008. Driving forces are launches of new airliners and increase of composite parts for existing liners in the aerospace segment as well as demand increase in the industrial segment, i.e., wind energy, pressure vessel, automotive, and digital device applications.

Predicting such business circumstances, TOHO group has already commenced construction of a new carbon fiber line with annual production capacity of 1,500 metric tons in its German plant, which will start commercial production in September 2006 as scheduled.

The decision this time for the additional expansion aims at further intensification of TOHO group's ability to respond to the increasing requirements of customers, particularly in the industrial segment. Meanwhile, TOHO group plans to increase production of materials qualified with aerospace programs on its existing lines worldwide, meeting increasing demands from the aerospace segment as well.

TOHO group is implementing its new three-year operating program "STEP FORWARD 2008" that just started in April 2006, of which this investment forms a part. Allocating preferentially its resources to the carbon fiber business, TOHO group targets scale-up of the business and profitability. TOHO group strengthens its position as a leading supplier of carbon fibers by establishing responsible supply capability and would like to win customers' esteem.

Appendix 1

TOHO Group's Production Capacity of Carbon Fibers (metric tons/year)
  Today End of 2006 April 2008
Japan - TTJ Mishima Plant
Germany - TTE Oberbruch Plant
U.S.A. - TTA Tennessee Plant
3,700
1,900
2,600
3,700
3,400
2,000
6,400
3,400
2,000
Group Total 8,200 9,100 11,800

(Remark) TTJ: Toho Tenax Co., Ltd.
TTE: Toho Tenax Europe GmbH
TTA: Toho Tenax America, Inc.


Appendix 2

TOHO's Demand Forecast for PAN-based Carbon Fibers (metric tons/year)
Year 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Aerospace
Industrial
Recreational
4,620
11,300
4,900
5,630
13,310
5,110
6,550
14,970
5,260
7,050
17,910
5,430
7,850
21,050
5,610
8,530
23,470
5,720
Total 20,820 24,050 26,780 30,390 34,510 37,720


Download PDF of TENAX® Capacity Increase Announcement

Cautionary note concerning forward-looking statements: Contents in this data are based on various assumptions and do not guarantee or promise to achieve the listed plans and forecasted figures.


1 December 2005

TENAX®
A Global Name for Carbon Fibers

Effective from January 1, 2006 the Toho Tenax Group will change its carbon fiber brand name to TENAX®. We are very excited about this decision since it enables us to further enhance our global standing in the advanced composites industry.

We are sure that our long standing customers will similarly welcome this decision to unify all our carbon fiber products under the one name.

BESFIGHT®
CELION®
FORTAFIL®

All convert to:

TENAX®

Over the next few months inventories of existing materials will be depleted and replaced with the newly branded TENAX® products. Please be assured that this change only refers to the brand name; there will be no change in the performance or specification of any of our carbon fiber products.

The introduction of TENAX® does not influence, in any way, the already globally recognized PYROMEX® brand; the fire resistant, oxidized acrylic fiber marketed by the Toho Tenax Group.

Please contact your regional sales office/representative if you have any questions concerning this announcement.


1 June 2005

TAME THE FLAME WITH PYROMEX®

Pyromex® is an oxidized polyacrylonitrile fiber (OPF) which has excellent fire and heat resistant properties as well as good tensile strength.

TAME THE FLAME WITH PYROMEX®
Toho Tenax America, Inc. Gentex Steel Worker Protected By Pyromex®
Photograph courtesy of Gentex Corporation

At 50-60%, Pyromex® has the highest limiting oxygen index (LOI) of all organic fibers, which makes the fiber the best choice for fire resistant protective clothing. The fiber has excellent textile processing properties and the fiber's moisture regain at 9% provides wearer friendly comfort.

BEAT THE HEAT WITH PYROMEX®
Toho Tenax America, Inc. Airbus A320 uses Pyromex® brakes
Excellent textile processing and high heat resistance has made Pyromex® a prime candidate for use in very demanding carbon/carbon applications such as aircraft brakes. The fiber's inherent low sodium content ensures excellent thermal oxidative stability. During landing an aircraft's kinetic energy is converted to heat during braking. Pyromex® can withstand the high heat and dynamic loads generated during the repeated landing cycles of today's most advanced commercial jet aircraft.


1 April 2005

Toho Carbon Fibers, Inc. Acquired Fortafil Fibers, Inc.


  Toho Tenax America, Inc.: Old tohocarbonfibers.com website Toho Tenax America, Inc.: Old fortafil.com website

The consolidation of Tohocarbonfibers.com and Fortafil.com
provides unparalleled options for selecting the right
carbon fiber for your application.

The strengths of both companies have been combined in
Toho Tenax America, Inc. The new company offers the widest ever carbon fiber product range delivering technology and performance with efficiency and fast-build.

Cover Letter announcing creation of Toho Tenax America, Inc.

Press release announcing change of the logotype for Toho Tenax, Co. and its group companies.

 
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