Toray Industries Inc, a major maker of textiles and plastics, is expanding its carbon fiber line, wooing airplane and car manufacturers in the process.

Made from acrylonitrile, carbon fiber has the potential to be stronger but lighter than steel when heated and applied with epoxy resin.

Tokyo-based Toray Industries already counts itself among the world's largest carbon fiber producers, supplying materials for satellites, racing cars, golf clubs and natural gas tanks.