#United States #Tacoma #Toray #GRIP Program #Composite Core

Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. and the Future of Power Transmission

Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. is a prominent player in the manufacturing and supplying of carbon fiber and prepreg materials, announcing its unwavering support for the composite core conductor market. This commitment comes alongside the recent awarding of projects by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program.

As of December 17, 2024, Toray congratulated various awardees who stand to benefit from the DOE's investment of $2 billion allocated to 38 projects across 42 states and Washington, D.C. This initiative aims at enhancing the reliability and affordability of the electricity supply in American communities, particularly in the face of increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Importance of the GRIP Initiative

The GRIP program is pivotal in addressing the long-standing challenge of ensuring that U.S. power grids can handle more electricity, which is essential due to rising demands from electrification and the influx of data centers and manufacturing facilities. These projects will not only help to reduce costs for communities but also boost grid capacity, thereby aligning with the country’s energy transition goals.

Toray’s Role and Commitment

In light of these developments, Toray reaffirmed its dedication to providing high-quality standard modulus carbon fiber that will underpin the enhanced transmission capabilities needed for the evolving power grid. By leveraging TORAYCA™ carbon fiber, Toray stands at the forefront of supplying materials to manufacturers of composite core conductors. One significant partner is CTC Global, noted for producing the globally recognized ACCC® Conductor. This particular conductor not only doubles the current capacity but also reduces power losses by up to 30% compared to conventional steel cable core conductors.

Tim Kirk, the Vice President of Marketing and Strategy at Toray, stated, "As the world's leading manufacturer of carbon fiber, we are optimally positioned to assist CTC Global and other conductor manufacturers in providing advanced solutions to enhance the American power grid."

Anne McDowell, Vice President of Commercial Operations at CTC Global, highlighted the profound impact their efforts are creating, ensuring utilities nationwide can efficiently deliver substantial electricity while expending minimal capital costs.

Toray’s Global Impact

Toray Composite Materials America is a subsidiary of Toray Industries, Inc. Known for its performance and processing consistency, Toray’s carbon fiber is widely recognized throughout various sectors, including aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial markets. With the most extensive capacity for carbon fiber and prepreg materials in North America, Toray is strategically positioned to address contemporary challenges in energy production and transmission.

The commitment of companies like Toray underlines the importance of innovative materials in transforming the energy landscape toward a more sustainable and resilient future. As the momentum builds behind the GRIP program, Toray’s role could be crucial in defining how electricity is transmitted across the United States, especially as communities adapt to both economic and environmental changes that lie ahead.

For further information about Toray Composite Materials America, visit www.toraycma.com. To learn more about Toray Industries, check out www.toray.com.