COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - May 4, 2015) -  Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) announced today that it has expanded its line of compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders with a new lightweight, large diameter, 26.2-inch model. The new large diameter cylinder was introduced today at the 2015 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Dallas.

This is the Company's largest Type III CNG cylinder and provides superior fast-fill efficiency. The inner aluminum liner dissipates heat during fast-filling allowing for an additional 15 to 25 percent more fuel storage compared to Type IV cylinders of similar size. 

Ideal for Class 8 heavy-duty and refuse trucks, these large diameter cylinders will fill to rated capacity making longer routes possible. As with all Worthington Type III cylinders, the aluminum inner liner provides an added safety feature, by reducing the risk of flex or fracture in the outer composite reinforcement if an impact occurs. 

"We believe that the fast-fill efficiency and durability of our new large diameter cylinder will be a welcomed addition to the market, maximizing the fuel system design for original equipment manufacturers," said Wayne Powers, General Manager of Worthington Industries - Alternative Fuels business. "Our thirty-years of experience producing cylinders which safely and efficiently store and transport alternative fuels has made us a trusted name in CNG cylinders. Of the hundreds of thousands of cylinders Worthington has produced for alternative-fuel applications globally, we have never had a composite cylinder failure."

Worthington Type III CNG cylinders, including the new large diameter model, are built to aircraft, railcar and watercraft CNG cylinder standards, which are more stringent than typical over-the-road standards. Worthington's testing requires a minimum burst safety factor of 3.0 times the rated pressure, along with sidewall structure impact testing. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 304 standard, requires a minimum CNG cylinder burst safety factor of 2.25 times the rated pressure and does not require sidewall structure impact testing. Worthington's new large diameter cylinder is also certified with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Canadian Standards Association (CSA) NGV2 standard.

Worthington's new Type III CNG cylinder features gas-tight construction thanks to its inner aluminum liner, which prevents permeation. There are also no filling restrictions in hot or cold weather. The aluminum liner also provides better heat tolerance in the event of a fire, and transfers heat to the pressure relief device.

For more information about Worthington's new lightweight, 26.2-inch diameter CNG Type III cylinder, visit www.worthingtonindustries.com.

About Worthington Industries
 Worthington Industries is a leading global diversified metals manufacturing company with 2014 fiscal year sales of $3.1 billion. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington is North America's premier value-added steel processor providing customers with wide ranging capabilities, products and services for a variety of markets including automotive, construction and agriculture; a global leader in manufacturing pressure cylinders for industrial gas and cryogenic applications, CNG and LNG storage, transportation and alternative fuel tanks, oil and gas equipment, and brand consumer products for camping, grilling, hand torch solutions, scuba diving and helium balloon kits; and a manufacturer of operator cabs for heavy mobile industrial equipment; laser welded blanks for light weighting applications; automotive racking solutions; and through joint ventures, complete ceiling grid solutions; automotive tooling and stampings; and steel framing for commercial construction. Worthington employs approximately 11,000 people and operates 84 facilities in 11 countries. 

Safe Harbor Statement
 The company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Statements by the Company which are not historical information constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.