This investment by Toray Advanced Composites brings expanded development, testing, and production capacity for continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite unidirectional tapes and enhances Toray’s capability to process higher melting temperature polymer systems.
The 47,000 sq. ft. (4,366 sq. m.) production facility, located in the Denver area will operate as a satellite R&D and production facility as part of Toray Advanced Composites. The Gordon Plastics site management and production personnel have joined Toray to support accelerated market growth.
“This is a significant expansion of Toray Advanced Composites’ position in the development and supply of continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite materials, with a key focus on supporting emerging demand in sporting goods, oil and gas, and industrial markets”, said Steve Cease, chief technology officer & US managing director at Toray Advanced Composites. “The Gordon technology, capacity, expertise, and fast response culture is a great addition to Toray Advanced Composites, further signalling Toray’s commitment to Industrialising thermoplastic composites.”
Available products offerings from the facility include continuous fibre reinforced composite tapes made with many matrices, including PEI (Ultem), PPS, PES, PESU, PA6, and PA11 reinforced with a wide range of glass and carbon fibre types.
Toray’s sales and technical teams can provide customers with material samples, product availability, pricing, and technical data.
Earlier this year, David Bernard replaced Erik Delnoij as Toray’s European managing director.
Bernard joined Toray Advanced Composites as general manager and director of the Langley Mill, UK, site in 2016. With more than 30 years of experience in the composites industry, his knowledge spans operations, sales, technology, and senior leadership across Europe and North America.
“I’m honoured to succeed Erik in the position of managing director for Toray Advanced Composites in Europe,” stated Bernard. “Together with our leadership team, I’m excited to build on a strong foundation of operational and technology excellence which is deep within our company DNA.”