1. The Foundation (1926)
In January 1926, Toyo Rayon (now Toray Industries) was established by Mitsui Bussan to manufacture viscose rayon, an early synthetic fiber. This initiative marked Japan’s determined entry into the modern chemical industry, paving the way for revolutionary advancements in synthetic materials.
2. Development and Industrial Impact
During the 1920s, the global textile industry was transforming through the introduction of artificial silk (rayon). The foundation of Toyo Rayon was a strategic move to reduce Japan’s reliance on imported textiles and natural silk. Through intense research and development, the company rapidly improved its manufacturing processes. Post-war, Toray executed a brilliant pivot toward advanced polymer chemistry, licensing nylon production technologies and eventually pioneering the development of carbon fiber composite materials. These materials would become critical to modern aerospace engineering and high-performance sporting goods.
3. Historical Site / Headquarters
4. Legacy
Today, Toray Industries is the world’s largest producer of carbon fiber and a titan in advanced chemical manufacturing. The company’s relentless pursuit of material innovation, born from its 1926 textile origins, continues to push the boundaries of modern engineering.
Historical Archive Footage
Sources
- S1 — National Museum of Nature and Science Tokyo — Synthetic Fiber Technology — https://www.kahaku.go.jp/
- S2 — Hidemasa Morikawa — Zaibatsu: The Rise and Fall of Family Enterprise Groups in Japan, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, 1992, ISBN 978-0860084884
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