Toho Tenax Co., Ltd., the core company of the Teijin Group's carbon fibers and composites business, announced today that it has revised and renewed a long-term contract to supply PYROMEX, an oxidized PAN fiber (OPF) to UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS), a member of the United Technologies (UTC) group. Under the terms of the agreement, Toho Tenax and UTAS have extended their contract another five years, to 2030.

In addition, Rockwood Tennessee facility of Toho Tenax America, Inc. has been awarded UTC Supplier Gold status and will increase its' PYROMEX OPF capacity by 40 percent by utilizing one of its' inactive carbon fiber lines. Recommissioning of this line is expected to take place in late 2016.

Toho Tenax supports upstream and downstream development in aerospace business field by providing a wide range of TENAX based products, PYROMEX, as well as other carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) materials. Increased production of PYROMEX will enable Teijin to expand its carbon fibers and composites business in the field.

PYROMEX OPF offer high chemical purity and consistent material properties, enabling customers to develop high-performance products.

Carbon fiber is made of specialized polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a precursor. The precursor is oxidized at 200-300 degrees centigrade and carbonized at 1,000-2,000 degrees centigrade in an oxygen-free environment. Toho Tenax sells flame-resistant and chemical resistant fiber produced by this oxidation process as PYROMEX OPF, which is widely used in aircraft brake-friction materials, flame-retardant sheets and specialty textiles, sodium sulfur (NaS) electrodes in batteries and more.