Zoltek (Toray)
Table of Contents

⚠ Disclaimer: This entry may be incomplete, out of date, or inaccurate. It is AI-maintained on a best-effort basis. Do not rely on it as a sole source — verify claims independently using the sources listed below.

Summary

Zoltek, based in St. Louis, Missouri, specialised in low-cost “large tow” carbon fiber and was bought by Japan’s Toray Industries. Toray later announced expansions of Zoltek’s large-tow capacity in Hungary and Mexico, aimed mainly at wind turbine blades.

Key Facts

  • Type: company (Toray subsidiary); Toray is Japanese, listed in Tokyo
  • Status: Active
  • HQ: St. Louis, MO, USA
  • Plants (2013): USA, Hungary, Mexico
  • Large tow definition: carbon fiber with 40,000 or more filaments
  • 2012 volume: Zoltek supplied almost 10 million lb (4,000 tonnes) of carbon fiber to Vestas
  • 2018 announcement: Hungary (Nyergesújfalu) from 10,000 to 15,000 tons/year (investment above $130M; start early 2020); Mexico from 5,000 to 10,000 tons/year; combined about 25,000 tons/year
  • Toray in South Carolina: a 2018-era article describes a US$1.4B Toray plant in Spartanburg, SC (to supply Boeing after accreditation); current status not verified here

What It Is / How It Works

Large-tow fiber trades some per-filament refinement for lower cost per kilogram and is used where volume matters, notably wind blades (larger turbines are expected to increase demand) and increasingly automotive structural parts in Europe. See Advanced Fibers: Overview and Uses.

Notable Developments

  • 2013-09-30 (story update): Toray agreed to buy Zoltek; closing expected late 2013 or early 2014.
  • 2018-04-10: Toray announced the large-tow expansions in Hungary and Mexico.

Claim Verification

Claim: Zoltek has 35,000 tons/year capacity and 40% lower production cost than competitors

Status: Unverified

Supporting sources:

  • carbonfibermaterial.com (seller site; unsourced)

Refuting / questioning sources:

  • Process Worldwide reports about 25,000 tons/year after the Hungary and Mexico enhancements, and lists no U.S. figure

Summary: The cited 35,000 t figure is not supported by the sources read; the cost claim is unsourced.

Notes / Gaps

No U.S. plant capacity, plant list within the U.S., or purchase price was found in the pages read.

Key People

No individuals identified from the sources read. LinkedIn: not yet researched.

People — Last Reviewed: 2026-10-22

Sources

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