Which company is recognized for starting the first large-scale commercial production of PAN-based carbon fiber in 1971?
Answer
Toray Industries
Toray Industries, based in Japan, is the manufacturer responsible for initiating the first major commercial production of PAN-based carbon fibers in 1971. This milestone was vital because it transformed carbon fiber from a specialized research curiosity into a reliable, mass-producible industrial commodity that could be utilized across various sectors, including military aviation and racing.

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