Japan-based Kuraray Co. Ltd. held a ceremony December 4 to mark the start-up of its newly upgraded
polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber/Kuralon facility. The company invested 2 million yen to boost
manufacturing capacity by 5,000 tons per year at its Okayama Plant, which now produces 40,000 tons
annually.
Outside of China, Kuraray is the world’s largest supplier of PVA fibers, with an 80-percent
market share. The plant expansion allows Kuraray to expand its business to meet demand and increase
production of high-strength Kuralon products, which are finding new applications in nonwoven
fabrics, fiber-reinforced cement, rubber materials and paper.
December 16, 2008