Kokan Drum, Canadian Firm Tie Up In FRP Natural Gas Cylinder Sales

Kokan Drum Company, an NKK subsidiary, has reached a business tie-up agreement with Calgary, Canada-based Dynetek Industries, Ltd., under which Kokan Drum will sell in Japan Dynetek's lightweight fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) fuel cylinders for condensed natural gas (CNG) cars. The agreement also covers the two companies' collaborations in technical consultation, joint research and joint marketing activities in North America.

Kokan Drum is a leading manufacturer of FRP fuel cylinders for autos, maintaining a 60% share in the domestic market. Jointly with NKK, the company has been manufacturing glass-fiber wound FRP fuel cylinders in diameters from 200mm to 400mm. In anticipation of growing demand for fuel tanks for cleaner-burning CNG cars in Japan, Kokan Drum has decided to enhance its product line by importing Dynetek's large-diameter (over 500mm) FRP cylinders. The cylinders are made by winding high-strength carbon FRP around aluminum-alloy liners and weigh much less than traditional Al-FRP or steel cylinders.

Dynetek is a venture business firm established in 1991. Following vigorous R&D, the company is growing into a major manufacturer of Al-FRP fuel tanks, supplying its products not only in Canada but in European markets, as well.

Due to lower carbon dioxide emissions than gasoline-fueled vehicles, Japanese domestic production of CNG cars is expected to boom in the coming century. Reflecting intensified obligations for low-pollution cars in California, Japanese automakers operating in the U.S. are also launching production of such cars. Kokan Drum and Dynetek intend to jointly explore potential demand in the North American market.