Carbon Fibers: A Strategic Asset for European Defence
European sovereignty depends more than ever on secure access to strategic materials. At the heart of today’s defence challenges, carbon fiber plays a critical role in the design and performance of fighter aircraft, drones, satellites, missiles, equipment for land forces, and naval defence systems.
High‑performance Torayca™ carbon fibers enable the development of equipment that is lighter, stronger, and more impact‑resistant, while delivering exceptional dimensional stability—key requirements for advanced defence and aerospace applications.
With more than 40 years of manufacturing experience in France, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe is a leading European player in composite materials. By strengthening local carbon fiber production, we actively contribute to securing European defence capabilities and supporting the development of next‑generation defence technologies.
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe therefore plays a key role in reinforcing European strategic autonomy, in line with initiatives such as the European Defence Roadmap Readiness 2030.
Advanced Carbon Fibers for European Defence
The defence sector relies on materials that demand an exceptionally high level of technological expertise, reliability, and control.
By producing high-performance carbon fibers in France, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe addresses several key challenges for European defence programmes:
- Industrial sovereignty: securing a strategic material made in Europe essential for defence applications
- Supply chain security: reduced exposure to geopolitical disruptions
- Strict traceability: full compliance with customer specifications and applicable certifications
- High industrial capacity: the widest range of carbon fibers produced in Europe, combined with industrial flexibility to support specific production requirements or capacity ramp‑ups
Torayca™ Carbon Fibers: Setting the Standard for Defence Equipment
- The TORAYCA™ carbon fiber range delivers mechanical and thermal performance tailored to the stringent requirements of equipment used by armed forces. These carbon fibers stand out for:
- Proven technology, backed by more than 40 years of industrial experience in Europe
- The broadest product portfolio in Europe, supported by continuous innovation
- High mechanical strength, essential for primary and load‑bearing structures
- High modulus, ensuring stiffness, dimensional stability, and excellent vibration tolerance
- Outstanding thermal stability, required for extreme environments such as missiles, drones, launch systems, and propulsion applications
- Excellent corrosion resistance and long‑term durability
- Compatibility with high‑performance resins used in aerospace, space, and advanced defence systems
Torayca™ carbon fibers are used across a wide range of defence and aerospace applications, including:
- structural components for aircraft and helicopters,
- missile bodies, radomes, and stealth components,
- propulsion systems, satellites,
- tubes, spars, tanks, and parts exposed to high temperatures.
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe is involved in numerous defence programmes and systems currently deployed in defence operations worldwide.
An Integrated European Composite Ecosystem
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe benefits from the strong European presence of other Toray Group entities (Toray Advanced Composites, Composite Materials Italy, Delta Preg), which provide complementary expertise in:
- thermoplastic and thermoset prepregs,
- high‑temperature composite materials,
- stealth solutions.
Toray’s European network enables a fully integrated composite value chain, covering the entire process from carbon fiber production to intermediate materials and advanced composite solutions. It provides European manufacturers with access to a high‑performance, innovation‑driven ecosystem designed to meet the most demanding aerospace and defence requirements.
Reliable Logistics, Operational Excellence
Guaranteeing Supply Continuity for Defence Programmes
Supply continuity is a strategic priority for European defence programmes. With geopolitical tensions and a growing dependency on global supply chains, ensuring local, fast, and secure material flows has become an essential criterion when selecting a business partner.
This requirement is particularly critical for carbon fibers, including T300, intermediate‑modulus, and high‑modulus grades. For European manufacturers, supply continuity is now a key determinant of industrial performance and strategic sovereignty.
The expected benefits of a strengthened and localized supply chain include:
- Shorter lead times, supporting production rate increases in aerospace and defence programmes
- Greater industrial flexibility, essential for sensitive programs spanning several decades
- Reduced exposure to international logistics risks, which have become a major source of operational uncertainty
Toray’s Long-Term Investment in European Manufacturing
To support the growth of the European demand for carbon fiber, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe recently announced the startup of its new carbon fiber production facility in France. This expansion will increase the annual output of T300 and high‑modulus carbon fibers by 1,000 tons, reinforcing material sovereignty for strategic sectors, including defence and aerospace.
By strengthening its industrial footprint in Europe, Toray confirms a clear long‑term strategy to:
- support European technological sovereignty,
- secure access to critical materials,
- meet growing industrial requirements over the next decades.
This long‑term investment is therefore a cornerstone for ensuring the continuity, performance, and resilience of European strategic defence programmes.
Toray: End‑to‑End Technical Expertise
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe provides comprehensive technical expertise to support manufacturers at every stage of their projects, including:
- selection of the most appropriate carbon fiber grades, based on mechanical and thermal requirements
- optimization of composite manufacturing processes, including ATL/AFP, autoclave, out‑of‑autoclave, press moulding, and filament winding
- support throughout qualification and certification phases, in line with aerospace and defence standards.
This strategic technical support adds value, helping manufacturers accelerate the industrialization of strategic parts and components. This is what sets Toray Carbon Fibers Europe apart, we don’t just deliver carbons fibers, we deliver complete solutions.
FAQ: Carbon Fiber for Defence Applications
Does Toray sell carbon fibers for defence and defence applications?
Yes. Toray has been involved in aerospace programs in Europe for more than 40 years. This long‑standing commitment was one of the key drivers behind the creation of Toray Carbon Fibers Europe in France, enabling secure access to carbon fiber technologies also for sovereign defence programmes.
Today, Toray Carbon Fibers Europe continues to work closely with leading defence and aerospace manufacturers, supporting both current platforms and next‑generation defence systems.
Who manufactures intermediate‑modulus and high‑modulus carbon fibers in Europe?
Toray Carbon Fibers Europe offers the widest range of intermediate‑modulus and high‑modulus carbon fibers. It is the only manufacturer with significant industrial production capacity for these products in Europe, addressing critical requirements for advanced aerospace and defence applications.
What do TORAYCA™ carbon fibers offer for defence applications?
TORAYCA™ carbon fibers combine:
- high mechanical strength,
- exceptional stiffness,
- excellent thermal stability,
- light weight,
- and proven reliability in extreme environments.
These properties meet the stringent requirements of aircraft, missiles, drones, satellites, and other mission‑critical defence systems, where performance, durability, and safety are essential.
What are the differences between T300, intermediate‑modulus, and high‑modulus fibers?
First commercialized by the Toray Group in 1971, T300 carbon fiber is a pioneering grade that has supported the development of aerospace and space applications for decades. It is primarily used for structural applications, offering an excellent balance between mechanical performance and processability.
Intermediate‑modulus (IM) fibers provide higher stiffness while maintaining good resistance.
High‑modulus (HM) fibers deliver the highest rigidity levels and are selected when dimensional stability and structural performance are critical, particularly in demanding defence and space applications.
Which defence equipment currently uses carbon composite materials
Carbon composites are widely used in most modern European defence systems, including:
- aircraft (F35, Rafale, A400M),
- drones and UAVs,
- missiles (Meteor, Aster, SCALP/Storm Shadow, CAMM/CAMM‑ER),
- radomes and stealth components
- helicopters (NH90, APACHE, AW),
- satellites,
- naval vessels (FREMM and Horizon frigates).
- Submarines
Due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and durability, carbon composites have become essential materials for contemporary defence and security programmes.
