Japanese firm Toray Industries is boosting its operations in Hungary by investing more than EUR 407 million in the construction of a new plant in Nyergesújfalu, a town on the River Danube, northwest of Budapest. The new unit will manufacture separator films for lithium-ion batteries from the second half of 2021.
Toray first came to Hungary in 2014 and purchased a plant in Nyergesújfalu, formerly operated by Zoltek. The latest investment, which will take place in two phases, will increase Toray's worldwide separator film production capacity by 20% and will create 188 new jobs, mostly with high added value. The Hungarian government contributes HUF 4.7 billion (about EUR 14.5 million) to the project.
Tokyo-based Toray Industries is an integrated group in the chemical industry, active in five major business segments: chemical fibers and textiles, performance chemicals, carbon fiber composite materials, life sciences, environmental protection and engineering. Their products are primarily used in the aviation and aerospace industry as well as the manufacturing of sports goods.
Toray Group increased the capacity of its factories producing separator film in Japan and South Korea last year but owing to the rise in global demand due to the spread of electric cars, the industry needs a higher amount of such products. The investment in Nyergesújfalu will help meet this demand and the company will be able to keep production close to the area of use, Akihiro Nikkaku, President of Toray Industries, stated.
For 20 years, Toray has been one of the largest global manufacturers of separator film used in lithium batteries. The film, between 5 and 25 microns thick, separates the anode and the cathode, conducts the electrons, and acts as an insulator in the event of a short circuit.
The investment of just over EUR 407 million will create 188 new jobs, mostly with high added value. The Hungarian government contributes to the costs with HUF 4.7 billion (about EUR 14.5 million).
As the Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA) notes, the Tokyo-based Toray Industries is an integrated group in the chemical industry, its activities can be divided into five major business segments: chemical fibers and textiles; performance chemicals; carbon fiber composite materials; life sciences; environmental protection and engineering. Their products are primarily used in industry, aviation and aerospace as well as the manufacture of sports goods.
The Toray Group increased the capacities of its factories producing separator film in Japan and South Korea last year, but owing to the increase in demand due to the spread of electric cars, the industry needs an increasing amount of such products both globally and in Europe. The investment in Nyergesújfalu also serves this purpose, and from this time – keeping production close to the area of use – Toray will manufacture 20% more separator films.
Toray’s Group American subsidiary, Zoltek has been present in Hungary, also in Nyergesújfalu, since 1995.


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