Kuraray Company Profile Brochure

Official website2012.08http://www.kuraray.co.jp/en/Tokyo Head OfficeOte Center Building, 1-1-3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8115, JapanTEL +81-3-6701-1000 FAX +81-3-6701-1005Osaka Head OfficeUmeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1000 FAX +81-6-7635-1005Kurashiki Research Center2045-1, Sakazu, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0801, JapanTEL +81-86-423-2271 FAX +81-86-422-4851Tsukuba Research Center41, Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0841, JapanTEL +81-29-853-1500 FAX +81-29-853-1543In JapanKuraray Trading Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1600 FAX +81-6-7635-1971Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1900 FAX +81-6-7635-1901Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.Ote Center Building, 1-1-3, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0004, JapanTEL +81-3-6701-1700 FAX +81-3-6701-1805Kuraray Plastics Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1500 FAX +81-6-7635-1528Kuraray Engineering Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1890 FAX +81-6-7635-1898Kurarayliving Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1530 FAX +81-6-7635-1559Kuraray Techno Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1400 FAX +81-6-7635-1430Kuraray Kuraflex Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1560 FAX +81-6-7635-1561Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8611, JapanTEL +81-6-7635-1870 FAX +81-6-7635-1860Affiliate/Subsidiary (30 in Japan, 28 outside Japan)KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCHKurashiki Plant7471, Tamashimaotoshima, Kurashiki, Okayama 713-8550, JapanTEL +81-86-526-5111 FAX +81-86-525-2222Saijo Plant892, Tsuitachi, Saijo, Ehime 793-8585, JapanTEL +81-897-56-1150 FAX +81-897-56-9522Okayama Plant1-2-1, Kaigan-dori, Minami-ku, Okayama 702-8601, JapanTEL +81-86-262-0111 FAX +81-86-264-1021Niigata Plant2-28, Kurashiki-cho, Tainai, Niigata 959-2691, JapanTEL +81-254-43-2521 FAX +81-254-43-2864Kashima Plant36, Towada, Kamisu,Ibaraki 314-0197, JapanTEL +81-299-96-1011 FAX +81-299-96-3932Outside JapanKuraray America, Inc. (subsidiary in U.S.A.)2625 Bay Area Boulevard, Suite 600 Houston, Texas 77058-1551, U.S.A.TEL +1-713-495-7311 FAX +1-713-495-7308Kuraray Europe GmbH (subsidiary in Germany)Philipp-Reis-Straße 4 D-65795 Hattersheim am Main GermanyTEL +49-69-305-85300 FAX +49-69-305-85399Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (subsidiary in Singapore)10 Sakra Avenue, Singapore 627887TEL +65-6867-7088 FAX +65-6867-7103Kuraray China Co., Ltd. (subsidiary in China)Unit 2207, 2 Grand Gateway, 3 Hongqiao Road, Xuhui District,Shanghai 200030, ChinaTEL +86-21-6119-8111 FAX +86-21-6119-8585Kuraray India Private Limited (subsidiary in India)207B, Rectangle-I, D-4, District Centre, Saket, New Delhi-110017, IndiaTEL +91-11-4610-2900 FAX +91-11-4610-2911Kuraray South America Ltda. (subsidiary in Brazil)Al. Campinas, 977 – 5°andar, sala 51 – CEP 01404-001 – Jd. Paulista – São Paulo – SP – BrasilTEL +55-11-2615-3531 FAX +55-11-2615-3529OverviewName:KURARAY CO., LTD.President:Fumio ItoRepresentative Director and PresidentEstablished:June 24, 1926Capital:89 billion yen (as of March 31, 2012)Employees:6,776 (consolidated, as of March 31, 2012)Net sales:369.0 billion yen (consolidated, fiscal year ended March 2012)Major overseas bases:U.S.A., Germany, Belgium, China, SingaporeHistory* In this report, italicized product names are trademarks of the Kuraray Group.* Amounts are rounded to the nearest hundred million.24 %16 %14 %32 %14 %Others(66.4 billion yen)Trading (112.2 billion yen)Resin (148.9 billion yen)Fibers and textiles(63.4 billion yen)Chemicals(74.9 billion yen)*1: “Net sales” includes “Net sales to outside customers” and “Net sales of inter-segment sales and transfers.” Elimination and Corporate of 96.8 billion yen is not included in Net sales.*16 % 3 %17%22 %52 %369.0 billion yenJapan (190.9 billion yen)North America (23.8 billion yen)Asia(80.7 billion yen)Europe(64.1 billion yen)Others (9.4 billion yen)01 KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH 02We in the Kuraray Group are committed to opening new fields of business using pioneering technology and contributing to an improved natural environment and quality of life.[ Corporate Mission ]*2: Breakdown of 369.0 billion yen, consolidated net sales of FY2011302009 2010 2011405060(Billion yen)0Operating income trendNet sales trend0300320340360380(Billion yen)2009 2010 2011 (FY)(FY)332.9363.2369.030.553.1 54.7Net sales by business segment in FY2011*2Net sales by region in FY20111926• Kurashiki Kenshoku Co. Ltd. established1928• Production of rayon filament started at Kurashiki Plant (production ceased in 2001)1949• Company name changed to Kurashiki Rayon Co., Ltd.1950• KURALON (PVA fiber) commercialized:Production of poval started at Toyama PlantProduction of KURALON started at Okayama Plant1958• Poval commercialized: Production of poval for market sales started 1962• Production of poval film started at Saijo Plant1963• Concluded a contract to export the poval - PVA fiber production plant to China1964• Polyester commercialized: Production of polyester staple fiber started at Tamashima Plant• Hook and loop fasteners commercialized• CLARINO commercialized: Production of CLARINO (man-made leather) started at Kurashiki Plant1969• Production of polyester filament started at Saijo Plant1970• Company name changed to current KURARAY CO., LTD.1972• EVAL commercialized: production of EVAL resin started at Okayama Plant• Non-woven fabrics commercialized:Production of KURAFLEX (dry-laid non-woven fabric) started at Okayama Plant• Isoprene chemicals commercialized:Production of polyisoprene rubber started at Kashima Plant1978• Dental materials commercialized: Sales of CLEARFIL (adhesive dental filler) started1989• Merged with Kyowa Gas Chemical Co., Ltd., a methacrylic resin manufacturer1990• Production of VECTRAN (high-strength polyarylate fiber) started at Saijo Plant• SEPTON (thermoplastic elastomer) commercialized:Production of SEPTON started at Kashima Plant1999• Production of GENESTAR (heat-resistant polyamide resin) started at Saijo Plant2004• Acquired PVB film business of HT Troplast AG2011• Started production KURARITY (acrylic thermoplastic elastomer) at Niigata PlantIn order to make today better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today, we at Kuraray have made completely new and unique things by harnessing the power of chemistry. Many industries and people around the world now choose Kuraray's technologies, products, and services. We take pride in this fact and are deeply grateful to our customers around the world for making this possible. Since our founding, we have valued the pioneering spirit. We continually ask ourselves what we can do for the world of tomorrow and the people living in it. This is part of our unique corporate culture that states, “Contributing to the world and individual well-being through actions that others are unable to produce.” We still maintain this culture firmly today. It is Kuraray's value and our driving force.We continue to cultivate our unique traits, in order to benefit society and the environment. Our goal is continual corporate growth, and we have already taken the next step forward.Vinyl acetate and PVA-related productsWe at Kuraray have used our unique technical strengths to create products that the world had never seen before. We were the first company in the world to commercialize KURALON, the first synthetic fiber produced using made-in-Japan technology. Other businesses we have created include poval resin, which is a raw material of KURALON; poval film, which is essential for LCDs; EVAL, which features an excellent gas barrier; and a lineup of the world’s only synthetic isoprene chemical products. We have also launched a wide range of products that have become an integral part of people’s lives, such as CLARINO (man-made leather), which recreates the structure of natural leather, and MAGIC TAPE (hook-and-loop fastener).The world-leading businesses* that we have created using our unique technologies account for about half of the Group’s total sales.Our commitment to creativity has created a long line of products. We benefit society by “actions that others are unable to produce.”* “No. 1 in the world” are businesses that have the world’s top market share, or are the world’s only business in their category. (in-house survey)1995050100150200250(Billion yen)(FY)2000 2005 2011OthersSee the Products section on the Kuraray website for details.http://www.kuraray.co.jp/en/products/KURARAY POVAL/MOWIOL (PVA resin)Optical-use poval filmA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial product A world-first industrial productMOWITAL (PVB resin) & TROSIFOL (PVB film)MOWITAL is a functional resin created from poval. It has excellent adhesive strength and transparency and is used as a binder in inks and fine ceramics, among other applications. TROSIFOL is an interlayer film for glass. It has a large share in the construction market, and its use is expanding in automobiles and solar-cell panels.This product has a large share in the world market as a base film for polarized film, which is an essential component of LCD screens in large flat-panel televisions, as well as monitors, computers, mobile phones, and more.EVAL (EVOH resin)EVAL provides excellent barrier properties against the permeation of gases, superior to those of any other plastics. It is used widely in food packaging materials to block out oxygen and preserve the flavor and quality of foods. It is also adopted in automotive plastic fuel tanks, as it provides a highly effective barrier against fuel vapor permeation. It is being used increasingly in a wide variety of applications, such as vacuum insulation panels for large refrigerators, in order to improve energy efficiency.Value1 Our Insistence on Being Number One and the Only One in the WorldFibers and textilesKURALON is a synthetic fiber based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with several unique properties, including high tenacity, low elongation at break, and hydrophilicity. It is widely used for various industrial applications, such as cement reinforcement to replace asbestos and as a separator for alkaline manganese batteries. KURALON K- is another polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber made by new production technologies. Water-soluble fibers with different dissolving temperatures and high-tenacity fibers can be obtained.VECTRAN (high-strength polyarylate fiber)VECTRAN fiber has about 7 times the tensile strength of steel by weight and provides excellent abrasion, flex fatigue and chemical resistance, among other physical properties. It is used in a range of applications including aerospace, composites, electronic components, ropes, and sports goods.CLARINO (man-made leather)CLARINO is a man-made leather that combines our in-depth knowledge of the fine-grained structure of natural leather with high functionality. It is used for school bags and other bags, shoes, balls, gloves, clothing, interior accessories, and more.PolyesterApplying proprietary polymers and state-of-the-art technology, we have been actively developing distinctive polyester fibers. Our fibers are used in clothing, industrial materials, non-wovens and other fields.KURAFLEX & FELIBENDY(Non-woven fabrics)KURAFLEX has superior water absorbency, dust absorbency, air permeability and softness and used in all manner of wiping cloths, masks and first-aid adhesive bandages. FELIBENDY has superior stretching, heat insulation and sound absorbency and is used in medical bands, sliding paper doors, tatami mats and sound insulation flooring.MAGIC TAPE (hook and loop fastener)MAGIC TAPE fastens firmly with only a light press. It is used in a wide range of fields, from clothing, shoes, bags, and medical products to automotive parts and other industrial materials.ChemicalsWe apply our unique synthesizing technologies to produce a cleaner MMB that is highly safe and easy to handle, as well as diols, aroma chemical and cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceutical and agrichemical intermediates, and more.SEPTON (thermoplastic elastomer)Isoprene chemicalsSEPTON is a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer that has excellent moldability and superior recyclability. Its areas of application are expanding in a wide range of fields with the need for higher performance in automobiles, home appliances, and household products.* One-of-a-kind products derived from synthetic isoprene (MMB, MPD, etc.)* PA9T, the only industrialized resin in the worldKuraray liquid rubberA low molecular weight liquid rubber made from such materials as isoprene and butadiene. Its use is spreading throughout the world, mainly in such applications as processing aids for automobile tires, high-performance adhesives and sealants.Dental materialsWe have developed and marketed a number of dental materials, such as the high-quality and well-known brand CLEARFIL and PANAVIA. We are expanding our business internationally as part of our efforts to contribute to an aesthetic and adhesive dentistry based on our unique technology.MICROFADE (Ballast Water Management System)Wastewater treatment systemUsing PVA-gel beads, Kuraray’s proprietary high-power wastewater treatment process allows for efficient operation in a compact system. Unlike conventional activated sludge, this unique system yields almost no excess organic sludge, resulting in reduced operational costs.VECSTAR (Liquid crystalline polymer film)A liquid crystalline polymer film developed using Kuraray’s proprietary film forming technology. The film has excellent high-frequency properties for electronic devices. Now its main uses are high-speed signal transmission flexible printed circuit boards, and are under expansion to multilayer printed circuit boards.KURARAY COAL (activated carbon)KURARAY COAL is an activated carbon with growing demand in the markets for evaporated gasoline adsorbents, capacitor electrode materials, water treatment, and other environmental applications. We are able to meet sophisticated needs by using our proprietary technologies to adjust the pore size and pore volume.A system that uses a filter and active substances for processing the ballast water of ships and boats in order to protect marine life. This system can be applied to all manner of boats, has low power consumption and has superior performance stability for all areas in the ocean.No.1 in the world*GENESTAR (heat-resistant polyamide resin)GENESTAR is a new heat-resistant polyamide resin created by our proprietary technologies. It is used in electronic parts of mobile phones, computers, and the like, and its application is growing in backlights for LED liquid-crystal TV panels and in the automotive field as well.Methacrylic resinTaking advantage of features such as transparency, weather resistance, gloss, and abrasion resistance, this resin is used in a wide range of fields, including auto parts, optical components, light electrical appliances, and sundries. It has recently gained a large share of the market for such products as LCD light-guide plates and optical components.KURARITY (acrylic thermoplastic elastomer)A unique material offering transparency, elasticity and more. We were the first in the word to succeed in commercializing this material, using proprietary Kuraray technologies. The market rollout in the field of optical and molding materials utilizing these characteristics is very promising.03 KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH 04New businesses and other productsExpanding world-leading businessesNo.1in the worldPoval resin was industrialized as a raw material for the synthetic fiber KURALON. It has a number of advantages: it is water soluble, easy to form into film, adhesive, emulsifiable, and oil and chemical resistant, among others. It is used in a wide range of applications, including as a paper processing agent, adhesive, and polymer stabilizer for vinyl chloride resins.No.1in the world(Data unavailablefor China)No.1in the worldKURALON & KURALON K- (PVA fiber)No.1in the world(Data unavailablefor China)No.1in the worldA world-first industrial productNo.1in the worldNo.1in JapanNo.1*in the worldA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial productA world-first industrial productNo.1*in the worldNo.1in JapanNo.1in JapanValue2 R&D and Development of Production Technology Value3 GlobalizationSynthesis Research LaboratoryVA-related PolymersResearch LaboratoryAnalytical Technology andSolutions LaboratoryChemical Process TechnologyDevelopment GroupPlastics and CompoundsTechnology Development GroupEnvironmental TechnologyDevelopment GroupTechnology andMaintenance GroupUtility andEnvironment Group Engineering GroupPolymer MaterialsResearch LaboratoryPolymer ProcessingResearch LaboratoryIntellectualProperty DepartmentOverseas subsidiaries with regional management/manufacturing functionsOverseas subsidiaries with manufacturing functionBuilding a global networkIn 1986, we began local production of EVAL at a joint venture in the United States. Since then, we have expanded our local production and sales around the world in order to respond to a growing global market. Our network has now grown to 43 locations in 17 countries and regions outside Japan. We are leveraging our creative technologies to expand our businesses internationally, under a policy of producing in the optimal location and marketing in the optimal location. We have also built our own global sales network, and overseas sales now account for about half of our net sales.Accelerating our global strategyThe Kuraray Group strives for sustained growth by leveraging technical innovation to accelerate the development of new products and applications and by expanding into growth markets and fields.Creative Technology Development—R&D in the Kuraray GroupThe Kuraray Group has built a unique and advanced structure of technologies based on polymer and synthetic chemistry, with technologies and expertise related to product formation and processing fused to the base. Our chief technology officer (CTO) brings together the Group’s knowledge and people, leading our efforts in the materials field, as well as our commitment to offering highly original products that are demanded in the market.Today we face a number of global-scale challenges, including global warming, finite natural resources, shortages of food and water, and environmental pollution. At the Kuraray Group, we are committed to becoming a “specialty chemical company with a global presence” and offering effective solutions to these challenges through our unique technologies. Overseas share of consolidated net salesOverseas shareOverseas net salesFinite naturalresourcesShortages offood and waterGlobal warmingGlobal-scale challengesAmericasAmericasEuropeEuropeAsiaAsiaFY2000FY201128%86.3 billion yen48%178.0 billion yen05 KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH KURARAY GROUP CORPORATE SKETCH 06Major overseas subsidiariesEnvironmentalpollutionAquabusinessesNewenergy-relatedbusinessesEnvironmentallyfriendly materialsbusinessesCTO (Chief Technology Officer)Kurashiki Research CenterKuraray Research and Technical Center U.S.A.Tsukuba Research CenterR&D departments of each business division/affiliate companyTechnology and maintenance departments of each plantProduction and technology development departments of each business divisionDevelopment of production technologyR&DTechnology DevelopmentCenterTechnology Management DepartmentKuraray America, Inc. (U.S.A.)Kuraray South America Ltda. (Brazil)Kuraray Europe GmbH (Germany)EVAL Europe N.V. (Belgium)OOO TROSIFOL (Russia)Kuraray Europe Nordic Ab Oy (Finland)Kuraray Europe France S.a.r.l (France)Kuraray Dental Italia S.r.l. (Italy)Kuraray Dental Benelux B.V. (The Netherlands)Kuraray China Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Magictape (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Methacrylate (Zhang Jia Gang) Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Chemical (Ningxia) Environmental Industry Co., Ltd. (China)Hexin Kuraray Micro Fiber Leather (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd. (China)Jiaxing Suede Micro Fiber Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Hong Kong Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Hexin Environmental Technology (Jiaxing) Co., Ltd. (China)Kuraray Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)Kuraray India Private Limited (India)