Toray to Build PPS Resin Plant in Hungary
- The new PPS compound facility in Hungary will start operations in March 2018 with a 3,000-ton annual capacity.
- PPS resins are used in automotive electrical and powertrain components due to their heat and chemical resistance.
- Toray has a global PPS polymer production capacity of 27,600 tons, including facilities in Korea and Japan.
- The new facility is part of Toray's strategy to expand its resin business in Europe.
New PPS Facility in Hungary
Toray Industries, Inc. announced the construction of a new PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) compound production facility at the Hungarian site of its U.S. subsidiary, Zoltek Companies, Inc. This facility, Toray’s first in Europe, is set to begin operations in March 2018 with an annual production capacity of 3,000 tons.
Applications and Market Demand
PPS resins are high-performance materials known for their heat and chemical resistance, mechanical strength, and flame retardancy. They are primarily used in automotive electrical and powertrain components. The European market, driven by stringent fuel usage, emissions regulations, and vehicle safety standards, is increasingly adopting PPS resins to reduce part weight and enhance safety. The PPS market in Europe is rapidly expanding, particularly in automotive and industrial applications.
Global Production Capacity
Toray is the world’s largest integrated PPS supplier, with an annual PPS polymer production capacity of 27,600 tons. This includes facilities in Gunsan, Republic of Korea, and Tokai, Japan. In 2015, Toray established Toray Resins Europe GmbH (TREU) in Frankfurt, Germany, to promote and sell its resin products in Europe and provide local technical and engineering services. TREU will market the PPS resin products manufactured at Zoltek’s Hungarian site.
Strategic Expansion
With the new facility in Hungary, Toray will have eight PPS compound manufacturing locations across six countries: Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, the United States, and Hungary. This expansion aims to improve customer satisfaction through multiple regional supply sources and advanced local services. The local production of commercial and prototype products will strengthen Toray’s supply network in Europe and accelerate the evaluation of PPS resins for new markets.