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Toray Advanced Composites acquires Colorado-based thermoplastics producer

| By Mary Bailey

Toray Advanced Composites announced the expansion of its continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite materials portfolio through the acquisition of Gordon Plastics’ assets, technology, and intellectual property, located in Englewood, Colorado. This investment by Toray Advanced Composites brings expanded development, testing and production capacity for continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite unidirectional tapes and enhances Toray’s capability to process higher melting temperature polymer systems.

The 47,000 sq. ft. (4,366 sq. m.) state-of-the-art production facility, located in the Denver, Colorado area, will operate as a satellite R&D and production facility as part of Toray Advanced Composites. The experienced Gordon Plastics site management and production personnel have joined Toray to support accelerated market growth.

“This is a significant expansion of Toray Advanced Composites’ position in the development and supply of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite materials, with a key focus on supporting emerging demand in sporting goods, oil and gas, and industrial markets”, says Steve Cease, Chief Technology Officer & US Managing Director at Toray Advanced Composites. “The Gordon technology, capacity, expertise, and fast response culture is a great addition to Toray Advanced Composites, further signaling Toray’s commitment to Industrializing thermoplastic composites.”

Immediately available product offerings from Toray Advanced Composites’ Englewood, Colorado production facility include continuous fiber reinforced composite tapes made with many matrices, including PEI (Ultem™), PPS, PES, PESU, PA6, and PA11 reinforced with a wide range of glass and carbon fiber types.