Toho Tenax America, Inc. Announces $23 Million Investment in Rockwood Plant
Thursday October 04, 2007
Toho Tenax America, Inc. Announces $23 Million Investment in Rockwood Plant
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Toho Tenax America, a subsidiary of Japan-based chemical giant Teijin, will invest $23 million in their Rockwood, Tennessee, manufacturing facility. The decision, which is expected to solidify the carbon fiber maker's presence in the Roane County, TN, marks the second major capital investment in the Rockwood plant since Toho Tenax bought the Fortafil Fiber plant in 2004 from Netherlands-based Acordis - making the total investment in retooling and upgrading the plant now nearly $37 million.
"Toho Tenax is retooling the plant to stay competitive in the carbon fiber market," said Leslie Henderson, president & CEO of the Roane Alliance. The investment, Henderson said, "means a significant area employer and active corporate citizen will continue to grow and prosper."
Toho Tenax supplies high-quality carbon fiber to various industrial, automotive, aerospace and sporting goods makers. Carbon fiber replaces high-strength steel, aluminum, titanium or glass fibers in applications where reduced weight and greater rigidity are needed. It is the second largest producer of carbon fiber in the US.
The plant employs 170 workers. Today's announcement is not expected to affect that number.
"This retooling will put Toho Tenax into a very competitive position in the global carbon fiber market - a market which is growing rapidly," Roane County Industrial Development Board Chairman Steve Kirkham said. "It should solidify the future growth potential of this operation."
"Roane County is partnering in this effort by providing assistance to help Toho Tenax America attain this major improvement to the plant," Roane County Executive Mike Farmer said, "Since carbon fiber is now being used for everything from Boeing's new Dreamliner to the insides of the copiers at our offices, this investment is a solid one for the county."
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Contact:
Leslie Henderson
865-376-2093
