Kuraray

Kuraray is a Japan-based specialty chemical company founded in 1926, originally established to commercialize synthetic rayon. Over nearly a century of operation, it has grown into a global enterprise with over 12,000 consolidated employees and capital exceeding 89 billion yen. The company operates across two primary business segments—Resins and Chemicals, and Fibers—along with additional specialty product lines.

In the Resins and Chemicals segment, Kuraray produces and sells a broad portfolio of high-performance polymer materials. Key products include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin and film, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin and film, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) resin and film, methacrylic resin, isoprene chemicals, elastomers, polyamide resin, and medical products. EVOH resin and film, in particular, is widely used in the food packaging industry as a high-barrier material that extends shelf life and preserves product integrity—making Kuraray a relevant supplier in the CPG and food packaging supply chain.

The Fibers segment encompasses the production and sale of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber—commercialized under the KURALON brand in 1950 as the first synthetic fiber invented in Japan—as well as man-made leather, nonwoven fabrics, hook-and-loop fasteners, and polyester fibers. Kuraray was the first company in the world to commercialize PVA fiber, a milestone that established its reputation for pioneering polymer science.

Beyond these core segments, the company also produces activated carbon and high-performance membranes and systems for water treatment, extending its reach into environmental and industrial applications. Kuraray operates across major global markets with regional presences in Asia (Japan, China, India), the Americas (US, Mexico, Brazil), and Europe, underscoring its status as a multinational specialty materials supplier.

The company's innovation strategy centers on developing new fields of business through proprietary technology, with structured research and development programs, intellectual property management, and active external networking. Kuraray positions itself with the mission of creating shared value for both society and the natural environment, though its primary differentiator remains its deep technical expertise in specialty polymers and fiber technologies that serve industrial, packaging, medical, and consumer goods markets worldwide.