Boeing

Boeing Names Toray Industries, Inc., to 7E7 Team

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has selected Toray Industries, Inc., to provide TORAYCA® prepreg composites for use in the primary structural areas of the all-new Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner.

"Composites offer us a variety of advantages including better durability, reduced maintenance requirements and increased potential for future developments," said Mike Bair, senior vice president -- 7E7 Program. "Toray's composites will make the 7E7 light, strong, and extremely reliable."

The composite prepreg material, a combination of high-strength carbon fiber and toughened epoxy resin, has proven performance on 777 structural applications such as the empennage and floor beams. The composites will be used in major sections of the 7E7, including the wing and fuselage. Toray will supply the composites material from its facility in Tacoma, Wash.

Masayoshi Kamiura, Director of the Board and General Manager of TORAYCA and Advanced Composites Divisions, stated, "The realization of a carbon fiber composite commercial aircraft has been Toray's composite business dream for more than 30 years. In this regard, Toray is pleased to provide its composite materials expertise in support of Boeing's 7E7 Dreamliner development."

Additional Information

7E7
Launched in April 2004 with an order for 50 airplanes from ANA (All Nippon Airways), the 7E7 is a family of three airplanes, all of which will use the same engine type. The 7E7-8 Dreamliner will carry 217 passengers in three-classes of seating with a range of up to 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 kilometers). The 7E7-3 Dreamliner, a model of the 7E7-8 optimized for shorter flights, will carry 289 passengers in two-class seating on ranges up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 kilometers). The 7E7-9 Dreamliner, a longer version of the 7E7-8, will carry 257 passengers in three classes with a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 kilometers).

It is being designed to provide customers with a better flying experience, including an improved cabin environment with more room and more conveniences.

Toray Industries
Toray is a diversified corporate group with operations in 19 countries and regions, and is the world's largest manufacturer of polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibers, with applications found in a diverse range of products from fishing rods, golf club shafts and other sporting goods, to aircraft primary structure and satellites. TORAYCA® carbon fibers are recognized as a critical part of modern aviation and aerospace applications, including primary and secondary structure for commercial aircraft, the International Space Station, satellites, rocket motor casings, and expendable launch vehicles like the Boeing Delta programs. TORAYCA® T800 carbon fiber is the only carbon fiber that has attained certification from the FAA for the critical flight path components for the Boeing 777. Toray has been a Boeing supplier since 1977.

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For further information:
Yvonne Leach
Boeing
425-342-8537
Mr. Norihiko Saito
Toray Industries
81 3 32 45 5176
Mr. Moriyuki Onishi
Toray Composites (America) Inc.
253-846-1777