Toyobo to increase airbag business

Toyobo Co. Ltd., Osaka, Japan, is increasing its production of fabrics and yarn for automobile airbags by investing more than $8.5 million in plants and equipment globally through 2020. The company will separate its fabric production plant for airbags from their existing fabric plant in Thailand and establish a manufacturing joint-venture company with a local conglomerate. The move is expected to double Toyobo’s production capacity by in-house production. The investment is aimed at enhancing the company’s international presence by solidifying its supply of nylon filaments and fabrics for airbags in the global market.