Expecting that carbon fibre will go short this year, as demand begins to pick up after stagnating since 1991, Toray Industries, the world's largest producer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibre is increasing capacity at its Ehime plant in Japan by 350 t/y to 2900 t, by mid-1995. The existing 700 t/y capacity at Toray's French affiliate Soficar will not be changed.

World demand for carbon fibre, forecasts Toray, will increase by 15-20% this year, from an estimated 7000 t at the end of 1994. Demand for carbon fibre-reinforced golf shafts now amounts to 55% of the market (from 31% in 1992) and compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for vehicles are likely to increase to 3000-4000 t/y within a few years. Other factors are the entry into service of Boeing's new 777 airliner and first use of carbon fibre in the civil engineering and building industry in Japan.