Kuraray Co., Ltd. - The Kuraray Group
Founded in 1926, the Kuraray Group with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, and its workforce of about 7,500 employees is the world's biggest producer of water-soluble synthetic polyvinyl alcohols - an initial product for many applications in day-to-day living. This activity, pursued in the Chemicals and Resins division, accounts for a considerable proportion of overall business. These products are further processed for a variety of applications in everyday life, including paints and printing inks, computer housings, food packages, LCD monitors and also pharmaceutical initial products.
The second-largest activity is Fibers and Textiles, semi-finished products for the worldwide textile industry, ranging from clothing and footwear to industrial textiles. But this is not all, for coffee filters and fabrics for car seats can also be produced with raw materials from Kuraray.
The third mainstay of business is High-Performance Materials, Medical Products and Sundries. These are essential for the production of solutions in the electronics industry, water purification and applications in dental medicine.
The business of the Kuraray Group focuses on the markets of Asia, North America and Europe, each of which is served by four Group companies.
In Europe, operating business, sales and the production of chemical specialties are handled by EVAL Europe in Antwerp and "Kuraray Europe GmbH,, in Frankfurt. The TROSIFOL division, which joined Kuraray Europe at the beginning of 2005, is firmly integrated in the strategy of the internationally successful Kuraray Group. Kuraray Europe is the leading supplier of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl butyral products in Europe. Both of these specialized chemical products are crucial for the production of paper, textiles, packaging materials and PVB film for laminated safety glass as well as for paints, printing inks, adhesives, cosmetics and ceramics.
In Kuraray's Japanese business strategy, top priority is accorded to the key goals of long-term growth and the development of profitable business fields. Research & development is another central aspect of this successful Group's dynamic and forward-looking approach. In its global strategy, it is pushing ahead with the expansion of foreign business. In fiscal year 2007/2008 Kuraray Group will probably achieve total sales of about 3 billion Euros. The goal for 2015 is 1 trillion yen, equivalent to about 7 billion euros.
International Kuraray-Website
Website Kuraray Europe GmbH