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Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division

Front Royal, Virginia (January 11, 2010)—Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division (www.torayfoam.com) announces the introduction of new ToraSoft™ closed-cell foams for all automotive interior trim applications requiring a soft, luxurious feel, precise edges, and exceptional rebound. New ToraSoft™ foams are up to 70 percent softer than previous generations of Toray cross-linked olefin foams. Made with Toray's proprietary polyolefin resin system, the applications include armrests, instrument panels, sun visors, glove box covers, door bolsters, door panels, and other interior trim components. Auto industry OEMs, parts molders, and laminators now have available to them a technologically advanced cross-linked composite foam that offers Toray's renowned thermoforming capabilities along with unprecedented haptics. Never before have Toray's foams delivered such a plush, soft feel. Also, the lightweight nature of ToraSoft™ foams helps manufacturers reduce the weight of vehicles, thereby lowering fuel consumption and reducing emissions along with costs, so vehicles will be more environment- friendly.

"The industry now has an exceptional new standard of softness and value for automotive interior trim components," says Jeff Lippy, General Manager, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division. ""An ultra-soft feel, light weight, superior molding capabilities, and excellent production efficiencies make ToraSoft™ foams the ideal choice for vehicle manufacturers who seek a Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division—Toray Introduces ToraSoft™ Cross-Linked Olefin Foams For Automotive Applications durable elegant cost-effective finished product that will uphold their brand's value and secure its customers' perception of quality."

Trim component processors and Tier 1 suppliers utilizing low-pressure molding, vacuum-forming, (including in-mold grain technology), and compression molding processes will benefit from ToraSoft™ foams' high tensile properties, tear strength, thermal stability, and compression set resistance, all of which enable processing flexibility, increased production efficiencies, and overall lower systems costs.

When compared with urethane materials', powder slush, and spray molding processes, Toray's composite materials minimize processing, which reduces labor, lowers capital investment, and consumes less energy. ToraSoft™ foams, which can be used with existing equipment, can be delivered to market more quickly than alternative products. There is no need to invest in new molding technologies. In addition, ToraSoft™ foams produce lower skin scrap during production and enable a cleaner manufacturing environment—no release agents are needed for demolding. Overall, ToraSoft's extremely desirable haptics are matched by significantly improved manufacturing value.

ToraSoft™ foams resist fracturing at low temperatures and form beautifully with exceptionally tight radii. ToraSoft™ foams range in thickness from 1.0 mm to 6.0 mm and are available in a variety of colors, densities, and widths. Formulations can be customized to meet specific application requirements.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc. is a leading manufacturer of cross-linked olefin foams. The Toraypef® brand leads the market in olefin foam products for the automotive and flooring industries. The company is a subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc., the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high performance films. Annual sales exceed $16 billion, USD. Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division is located at 500 Toray Drive, Front Royal, Virginia. For more information about Toray's cross-linked olefin foams, visit the Toray Plastics (America), Inc. PEF Division website at www.torayfoam.com or call 888-TORAYPF.