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2012

Nov 14, 2012

ニュース-炭素繊維・複合材料

Acquisition of Challenge Co. Ltd.


Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.

 Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (Head office: Tokyo, Japan; President: Hitoshi Ochi, hereinafter “MRC”) announce that all procedures required for the purchase of Challenge Co., Ltd (Head office: Saitama, Japan; President: Takayoshi Nakamura, hereinafter “Challenge”) were completed. MRC are to expand their carbon fiber composites business for automotive applications with the acquisition, 100% of the equity stake in Challenge will be held by MRC as of November 1st 2012.
 
 Challenge, which was established in 1970, has developed and designed CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics) for racing cars and was one of the first manufacturers of CFRP parts. Challenge was responsible for one of the first mass production CFRP parts - Diffusers for Nissan’s “Skyline GT-R”. In addition to conventional molding technology using Prepreg, Challenge has worked jointly with MRC on the development of a new manufacturing method incorporating MRC’s recently developed “PCM” molding technology (Prepreg Compression Molding).
 
 The purpose of this acquisition is to strengthen the collaboration between the two companies and to facilitate a range of activities from development through to mass production. In future MRC will work more closely with Challenge as a center of CFRP development and production to expand their business for automotive and industrial applications. As the first step, Challenge will install large-scale press machinery and other equipment which will help to achieve the aim of shorter automated manufacturing cycle times.
 
 Increased usage of CFRP is expected worldwide in automotive parts, such as the “BMW i3” electric vehicle which uses CFRP in its structural parts and will be released in 2013. Alongside RTM (Resin Transfer Molding), PCM technology has been acknowledged as an advanced technology suitable for mid-scale volume production using thermoset resin materials.
 
 MRC has developed a number of new materials and molding technologies in its Toyohashi, Japan R&D center. Now, with this significant step, MRC moves more towards mid to downstream business with the acquisition of Challenge which has over 40 years long history in CFRP composite business and is capable of meeting a wide range of customer requirements with their innovative development capability.
 
 
*PCM (Prepreg Compression Molding) technology
The press molding technology using thermoset epoxy based resin Prepreg (2-5 minutes curing time) with heat and high pressure.
 
[Basic information on Challenge Co., Ltd.]
1.     Company name : Challenge Co., Ltd.
2.     Company Address : Sayama, Saitama-Pref, Japan
3.     Representative : Takayoshi Nakamura (President/Representative Director)
4.     Foundation : 1970
5.     Capital : 10 million yen
6.     Employees : 50
7.     Main business : CFRP parts manufacturer

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The contents shown herein are accurate as of the time of posting.