Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Toray Textiles Europe Ltd’s (TTEL) fully vertical Mansfield factory on 7 April 2025, in her capacity as President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).

The visit celebrated the company’s commitment to innovation and investment in the UK textile industry, and highlighted its role in advancing high-performance textiles for sectors ranging from healthcare to defence. Since 2014, TTEL has invested over £20 million in state-of-the-art warping, weaving, dyeing and finishing equipment, ensuring it remains at the forefront of technical textile manufacturing.

With one of the largest and most modern vertical textile production facilities in Europe, TTEL continues to supply textiles to over 30 countries, including the NHS and NATO militaries. UKFT was pleased to introduce the President HRH The Princess Royal to the company, as a testament to its significant contribution to the industry, its skilled workforce and its ongoing efforts to develop innovative solutions for health, environmental and defence challenges.

Toray was incorporated in 1926, with the acquisition of a licence from Courtaulds PLC to produce rayon yarn in Japan. 63 years later, Toray established Toray Textiles Europe Ltd (TTEL) after it acquired Samuel Courtauld weaving and dyeing business from Courtaulds PLC in the UK. That investment in the UK textile industry increased in 1991, with the construction of the fully vertical Mansfield factory at a cost of £70 million.

In the 1990s, business grew to an annual output of 36 million linear metres for the UK and European retail garment industry. However, in the early 2000s the shift of this industry to Asia saw a dramatic decline in business and created an urgent need to diversify product and applications.

Utilising the installed machinery and the expertise of apparel textile production, new textiles for Medical, Interiors, Sportswear, and Protective Apparel were developed to diversify the business’s sales applications. However, to renew the business further it was essential to strengthen on-site capability and efficiency.

Today, TTEL is a leading manufacturer specialising in the weaving, dyeing and finishing of synthetic fibre textiles for various applications. The current Mansfield site was established in 1993 and is Europe’s largest and most integrated synthetic textile production facility, occupying a 172,000 sqm site, employing 186 people.

With a production capacity of 20 million metres per year, TTEL has 218 looms – including air, water, and rapier looms – offering wide-width capabilities up to 3.6 metres. The company’s advanced dyeing techniques, such as jet dyeing, jig dyeing and pad-on finishing, align with its commitment to sustainability including PFAS free finishing.

With the investment of £20 million into the plant since 2014 TTEL has further expanded into new applications such as Digital Print, Industrial, Automotive and Military textiles.

HRH The Princess Royal had the opportunity to see TTEL’s operation, which spans twisted and texturised yarn preparation, warp beaming, weaving, dyeing, finishing, colour and quality control. Sustainability is a key focus, with initiatives such as process water recycling, energy efficiency, and use of recycled Polyester yarns.

Guided by a long-standing corporate philosophy of innovation and sustainability, Toray Textiles Europe aims for long-term growth while transforming its business model to minimise environmental impact and contribute positively to society.

The Royal Visit forms part of UKFT’s mission to support the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry.

Paul Alger MBE, International Business Director of UKFT, said: “Toray’s ongoing investment in advanced textile manufacturing is a testament to the strength and resilience of the UK textile industry. Their commitment to innovation, sustainability, and high-quality production ensures that the UK remains a leader in global textiles. This royal visit is a fitting recognition of their achievements and the vital role they play in shaping the future of textile manufacturing.”

Paul Daynes, Sales Manager, Toray Textiles Europe Ltd commented: “We were delighted to welcome HRH, The Princess Royal to TTEL today and showcase our state-of-the-art vertical textile manufacturing facility. With continual inward investment in the latest plant and machinery, supported by our parent company, Toray Industries, Inc. we have an upgraded, modern facility capable of producing technical textiles for a highly competitive market. We have developed technical textiles on site for a wide range of applications, both in the UK and Worldwide. A plan of continued investment is in place for the future to strengthen and support our growth in these diverse sectors.”

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Toray Textiles Europe Ltd. is a member of UKFT. Click here for more information on the UKFT membership.