Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc., a subsidiary of Toray Industries, will increase annual production capacity for Torelina polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin by 5,000 metric tons at its plant in Gunsan, Korea. the expansion should be complete in December 2024 bringing the group’s combined PPS manufacturing capacity—including output at this facility and the Tokai Plant in Aichi Prefecture, Japan—to a world-leading 32,600 metric tons annually.

A concurrent move will be to expand production of sodium hydrogen sulfide, a key raw material for PPS resin. Toray would thereby solidify its position as a cost-competitive, integrated manufacturer of everything from raw materials through resins.

Toray Advanced Materials Korea will supply PPS resin not consumed domestically to Toray Group compounding sites in China, Europe, the U.S., Southeast Asia and other regions as part of efforts to expand its global business.

PPS resin is a super engineering plastic. Key benefits are outstanding heat and chemical resistance, mechanical strength and flame retardance. Applications include electrical components for a growing number of electrified vehicles, electrical and electronic devices, and housing-related parts. Applications continue to broaden. Toray decided to boost capacity at Toray Advanced Materials Korea to cater to a projected 6% annual demand growth globally for PPS resin compounds.

Toray Group is a comprehensive manufacturer of PPS not just for resin compounds but also for films and fibers. It is the world’s largest player in this field. It will reinforce that position by leveraging the new expansion to cultivate applications for advanced, eco- friendly products, for which demand should rise in the plastic compounding arena.

Toray has made expanding globally in promising fields a central strategy under Project AP-G2022, its medium-term management program. The Toray Group will accordingly pursue sustainable growth by expanding its resins business to capture demand China, elsewhere in Asia, and in emerging markets. It also looks to capitalize on opportunities in automotive, electrical and electronics devices, housing-related parts, and other fields.