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June 28, 2010 |
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Toho Tenax Concludes Long-Term Frame Contract with EADS
Initially covering the supply of carbon fiber materials |
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Toho Tenax Co., Ltd., the core company of the Teijin Group's carbon fibers business, announced today the conclusion of a long term framework agreement with EADS and its subsidary Airbus SAS regarding the direct supply of carbon fiber and carbon fiber-based materials for a range of Airbus aircraft. In line with the agreement, a specific contract has been signed to cover the supply of TENAX thermoplastic consolidated laminates, which currently is under qualification for the new Airbus A350 XWB.
Toho Tenax expects this award to be the first of many in the thermoplastics field. To underline this strategy, Toho Tenax is presently investing in a new TENAX Thermoplastic Unidirectional Prepreg line within its German operational facility, which is expected to commence production in early 2011.
Toho Tenax also is in discussion with Airbus to provide other new carbon fiber-based material solutions for other aircraft and future A350 XWB versions. One possible agreement is the supply of woven TENAX carbon fiber-reinforced benzoxazine prepreg with potential application in the Airbus A380 Auxillary Power Unit (APU) housing. The material is part of a new family of carbon fiber reinforced prepregs based on novel resin systems.
Toho Tenax and Airbus have been building a strong relationship since 1989, during which time Toho Tenax has supplied TENAX carbon fiber filament yarn for a variety of Airbus aircraft Families, including the A320, A330 and A340, as well as the A380. They expanded the relationship with an agreement for the joint development of advanced materials in early 2008 resulting in Toho Tenax developing novel carbon fiber-based materials to meet Airbus' future requirements.
The two companies intend to continue strengthening their relationship to realize further weight reductions and to enhance the energy efficiency of aircraft. Going forward, Toho Tenax aims to accelerate expansion of its aircraft materials business -- one of the core objectives of the company -- by developing increasingly advanced carbon fiber and carbon based-based products.
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About Toho Tenax
Toho Tenax is the core company of the Teijin Group's carbon fibers business. The Toho Tenax Group is a leading carbon fiber manufacturer worldwide with an annual production capacity of 13,500 tons in Japan, Germany and USA. Toho Tenax Europe GmbH is an affiliate being located in Germany and responsible for the European market.
About the Teijin Group
Based in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, Teijin is a global technology-driven group operating in six main fields: high-performance fibers (aramid fibers and carbon fibers); polyester fibers, films and plastics; pharmaceuticals and home health care; trading and retail; and IT and new products. Teijin Limited, the holding company for the Teijin Group, is listed on the Tokyo and Osaka stock exchanges. The group had consolidated sales of USD 8.5 billion (JPY 765.8 billion, USD 1=JPY 90) in fiscal 2009 and employs 18,778 people worldwide, with 156 companies around the world.
For further information, please contact:
Public Relations & Investor Relations Office
Teijin Limited
Tel: +81-3-3506-4055 / Fax: +81-3-3506-4150
E-mail: pr@teijin.co.jp
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Information in the press releases is current on the date of the announcement.
It is subject to change without prior notice.
