Toray Industries

Japanese group that is a world leader in the production of synthetic fibers and fabrics, with plants in Asia, Europe and United States. It has 25,000 employees. Its entry into the European market (it acquired Soficar) and in America is intended to conquer it a leading role in the production of carbon fibers.
2003, April. Agreement with Cargill Dow, American company that owns rights to the brand new fiber, Ingeo. The two groups share the determination to reconcile the creation of new products with respect for the environment. On the one hand Ingeo is the first synthetic fiber derived from natural resources, and on the other the program Project New Toray 21 is based on principles of safety, health, and respect for the environment. With the newly signed agreement, Toray will hold the rights to license the technology, the name, and the supply of raw materials for the production and distribution of the fiber and associated products, in various countries around the world, including Japan and Europe.
2003, May. The fiscal year ended with turnover of 1.03 trillion yen and a 1.6 percent increase, but the net profits dropped sharply, by 52.3 percent, at a level of 5.8 billion yen.