Kuraray to Expand PVA Resin Production Facility in Europe
Increasing annual production capacity by 24,000 tons to 94,000 tons
TOKYO--Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:3405) (ISIN:JP3269600007) today announces the expansion of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) resin production facility at its European subsidiary Kuraray Europe GmbH (Kuraray's wholly owned subsidiary in Frankfurt, "KEG"). This expansion of PVA resin production facility is intended to meet the growing demands of PVA resin in European markets. Details of the plant expansion are as follows.
Background of the Facility Expansion
In response to growing demand for PVA resin in European markets, Kuraray decided to expand production facilities to secure a stable supply system.
Location: Frankfurt, GermanyProduction capacity:Increase in production capacity from expansion: 24,000 tons/yearCurrent production capacity of existing facilities: 70,000 tons/year *Production capacity after completion: 94,000 tons/yearCapital investment: Approximately 58 million euros* The amount of capital investment includes measures for energy optimization project.Commencement of operations: The first quarter of fiscal 2013 (planned)
Kuraray Europe GmbHCapital: 31,000,000 euros (100% investment by Kuraray)President: Dr. Matthias GutweilerHeadquarters: Frankfurt, GermanyPrincipal businesses: Manufacture and sale of PVA resin, PVB (polyvinyl butyral) resin and film; import and sale of fibers and textiles, chemicals, and dental materialsEmployees: Approximately 600
In 1950, Kuraray became the first in the world to develop PVA resin, which is used as a material for KURALON fibers. With its unique water-solvent properties, PVA resin is widely utilized in such items as paper processing agents, adhesive agents and fiber sizing agents. In addition, PVA resin has high market share worldwide thanks to its use in optical poval film, a basic component of LCDs.
Furthermore, PVB (polyvinyl butyral) resin made from PVA resin is used in paints, inks and binders in fine ceramics, while PVB film has been adopted for the manufacture of window glass for buildings and as an inter-layer in shatterproof safety glass for vehicles. In recent years, PVB film's applications have widened to include sealants for solar power generation panels.
Trademarks of products manufactured and sold at KEG are as follows:
Products TrademarksPVA resin
MOWIOL
PVB resin
MOWITAL, PIOLOFORM
PVB film TROSIFOL, TROLEN Kuraray Group's annual PVA resin production capacity by regionKuraray Okayama Plant/ Niigata Plant 124,000 tons Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)40,000 tonsKEG Kuraray Europe GmbH
70,000 tons
Total 234,000 tons* This figure is the current production capacity and will expand to 94,000 tons after the completion of facility expansion.
With proprietary technology in polymer chemistry and synthetic chemistry, Kuraray has been developing chemicals and resins, fibers and textiles, high-performance materials, medical products and others. Kuraray has subsidiaries in 16 countries and regions outside Japan.