Kuraray
Japanese materials and specialty-chemicals company supplying resins, fibers, films, activated carbon and related industrial products.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Kuraray is a Japanese chemical and advanced-materials manufacturer whose portfolio spans functional resins, specialty polymers, synthetic fibers, films, activated carbon and other industrial materials. The company traces its origins to 1926, when it was established in Kurashiki, Okayama, as Kurashiki Rayon. Its early identity was associated with rayon and synthetic fibers, but its business has progressively moved toward higher-value materials used in packaging, automotive components, construction, electronics, medical applications, safety equipment and water or air purification. Kuraray operates internationally while retaining a strong Japanese manufacturing and administrative base. Major production facilities are located in Kurashiki, Okayama, and the company maintains administrative offices in Tokyo and Osaka. Its overseas structure includes operations and subsidiaries in North America, Europe, China, India and other markets. The company is publicly traded in Japan under ticker 3405 and is included in the Nikkei 225. It is also associated with the Mizuho corporate group. The company's product architecture includes both branded materials and industrial platforms. KURARAY POVAL, MOWIOL and MOWIFLEX are polyvinyl-alcohol-related products used in adhesives, coatings, construction materials, paper, textiles and other formulations. EVAL is an ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer used as a high-barrier material, particularly where protection against oxygen or other gases is important. Kuraray's acquisition of Plantic Technologies expanded its presence in biobased barrier films. The company also makes MOWITAL and PIOLOFORM, polyvinyl butyral products, as well as Butacite and TROSIFOL, which are used in laminated glass and related applications. Other important lines include Clarino synthetic leather, Genestar engineering resin, Septon thermoplastic elastomers, Sophista composite fibers and Vectran liquid-crystal-polymer fiber. Vectran has been a distinctive part of Kuraray's advanced-fiber portfolio and, according to the cited reference material, Kuraray was the sole worldwide producer of the material in 2007. The company also supplies activated carbon following its 2017 acquisition of Calgon Carbon, broadening its capabilities in purification and environmental technologies. Kuraray's strategic development has therefore combined organic materials innovation with targeted acquisitions. The purchase of Plantic in 2015 added biobased barrier-film technology, while the acquisition of Calgon Carbon in 2017 added a major activated-carbon business. These moves complemented Kuraray's existing strengths in polymers, films, fibers and specialty chemicals. The company signed the United Nations Global Compact framework in 2021, signaling alignment with principles concerning responsible business and sustainability. Kuraray remains an active global materials supplier, although the available reference material does not provide a complete current breakdown of revenue, workforce, production capacity or management structure.
History
Kuraray began in 1926 in Kurashiki, Okayama, as Kurashiki Rayon. Its original business context was Japan's developing rayon and synthetic-fiber industry. Over time, the company expanded beyond conventional fibers into a broader materials platform, developing and commercializing polymers, films, resins and specialty fibers for industrial and consumer applications. The company's later history is characterized by movement toward differentiated materials. Products such as Clarino synthetic leather, Vectran high-performance fiber, Septon thermoplastic elastomers, Genestar engineering resin and EVAL barrier resin illustrate the shift from basic fiber production toward specialized materials with performance characteristics tailored to particular end uses. Kuraray also developed or marketed polyvinyl-alcohol-related products under brands including KURARAY POVAL, MOWIOL and MOWIFLEX, and polyvinyl butyral materials under MOWITAL, PIOLOFORM, Butacite and TROSIFOL. Kuraray established a global operating footprint while maintaining important Japanese facilities. Its principal manufacturing base includes sites in Kurashiki, and its administrative presence includes offices in Tokyo's Otemachi district and Osaka's Umeda area. Overseas subsidiaries and regional organizations support its businesses in the Americas, Europe and Asia. This international structure enables the company to supply materials to packaging, automotive, construction, electronics, healthcare, filtration and other sectors. Acquisitions became an important part of Kuraray's portfolio development. In April 2015, it acquired Plantic Technologies of Australia, a producer of biobased barrier films. The transaction strengthened Kuraray's position in sustainable packaging and barrier materials. In September 2017, Kuraray acquired Calgon Carbon, a Pittsburgh-based activated-carbon manufacturer, in a transaction reported at approximately $1.1 billion. Calgon Carbon added purification materials and environmental applications to Kuraray's existing polymer and fiber businesses. Kuraray's history has also included industrial-safety and environmental incidents. In May 2018, an explosion occurred at its Pasadena, Texas, facility, injuring 21 workers; the company subsequently agreed to settlements totaling $92 million for affected employees, according to the cited reference. In September 2019, a plasticizer leak from the Fayetteville plant reached the Cape Fear River, leading Brunswick County to stop drawing water from the river temporarily. These events form part of the company's documented operating history and are relevant to assessments of industrial safety, environmental controls and corporate responsibility. In February 2021, Kuraray signed the United Nations Global Compact framework. The company continues to operate as a publicly listed Japanese materials manufacturer. Its contemporary identity combines legacy fiber expertise with specialty polymers, barrier technologies, high-performance fibers, engineered resins and activated-carbon products. The supplied references do not establish a complete current chronology of leadership, financial performance, facilities or product-generation changes, so those areas remain partially undocumented in this dossier.
- 2021
United Nations Global Compact participation
[1]Kuraray signed the global framework of the United Nations Global Compact.
- 2019
Fayetteville plasticizer leak
[1]A plasticizer leak from the Fayetteville plant affected the Cape Fear River and prompted a temporary cessation of local water withdrawals.
- 2018
Pasadena plant explosion
[1]An explosion at Kuraray's Pasadena facility injured 21 workers and led to employee settlements.
- 2017
Calgon Carbon acquired
[1]Kuraray acquired activated-carbon producer Calgon Carbon in a transaction reported at approximately $1.1 billion.
- 2015
Plantic Technologies acquired
[1]Kuraray acquired Australian biobased barrier-film manufacturer Plantic Technologies.
- 2007
Vectran production distinction documented
[1]The cited reference identified Kuraray as the sole worldwide producer of Vectran liquid-crystal-polymer fiber at that time.
- 1926
Company founded as Kurashiki Rayon
[1]Kuraray was established in Kurashiki, Okayama, with origins in the rayon and synthetic-fiber industry.
Products and positioning
A Japanese specialty-materials and chemical manufacturer positioned around functional polymers, high-performance fibers, barrier materials, engineered resins and environmental purification technologies.
Barrier resin
EVAL
EVAL is Kuraray's ethylene-vinyl-alcohol copolymer platform. Its barrier properties make it suitable for packaging and other applications requiring resistance to oxygen or the migration of gases. It is part of Kuraray's wider portfolio of functional materials for packaging and industrial uses.
Polyvinyl alcohol
KURARAY POVAL
KURARAY POVAL is a polyvinyl-alcohol product family used in applications such as adhesives, coatings, paper, textiles and construction-related formulations. It represents one of Kuraray's established functional-polymer businesses.
Polyvinyl alcohol
MOWIOL
MOWIOL is a Kuraray polyvinyl-alcohol brand used in industrial formulations where film formation, binding or water-solubility characteristics are required. The reference material identifies it among Kuraray's principal product offerings.
Polyvinyl alcohol compounds
MOWIFLEX
MOWIFLEX is a Kuraray materials line related to polyvinyl-alcohol technology. It is included in the company's functional-polymer portfolio and supports formulated or processing-oriented applications.
Synthetic leather
Clarino
Clarino is Kuraray's synthetic-leather brand. The material is positioned as an alternative to natural leather for applications where consistent appearance, processability and engineered performance are important.
Engineering resin
Genestar
Genestar is an engineering-resin product family designed for demanding molded-part applications. It belongs to Kuraray's advanced-polymer portfolio and supports the company's focus on lightweight, functional and durable materials.
Thermoplastic elastomer
Septon
Septon is Kuraray's thermoplastic-elastomer brand. These materials combine rubber-like elasticity with thermoplastic processing advantages and are used across industrial and consumer-product applications.
High-performance fiber
Vectran
Vectran is a liquid-crystal-polymer fiber known for high-performance applications. Kuraray has been closely associated with its production, and the cited reference described the company as the sole worldwide producer in 2007.
Polyvinyl butyral
Butacite and TROSIFOL
Butacite and TROSIFOL are Kuraray polyvinyl-butyral brands used primarily in laminated-glass and related applications. Their role is linked to interlayer performance, safety and optical quality in glass constructions.
Activated carbon
Calgon Carbon
Calgon Carbon became part of Kuraray through the 2017 acquisition. Its activated-carbon products broaden Kuraray's business into water and air purification, contaminant removal and other environmental applications.
Biobased barrier film
Plantic
Plantic's biobased barrier-film technology joined Kuraray through the 2015 acquisition of Plantic Technologies. The business complements Kuraray's barrier-material activities and supports packaging applications with a renewable-material orientation.
Controversies
2019
Fayetteville plasticizer release
A plasticizer leak from Kuraray's Fayetteville plant entered the Cape Fear River. Brunswick County responded by stopping withdrawals from the river temporarily.
2018
Pasadena plant explosion
An explosion at Kuraray's Pasadena, Texas, plant injured 21 workers. The company later agreed to settlements totaling $92 million with affected employees, according to the cited reference.
Brand decisions
2021
Join the United Nations Global Compact frameworkStrategyBackground
Kuraray formalized participation in an international framework focused on responsible corporate conduct and sustainability principles.
Action taken
The company signed the global framework of the United Nations Global Compact.
Aftermath
The signing publicly associated Kuraray with the framework's principles; the supplied material does not document subsequent performance metrics.
2017
Acquire Calgon CarbonM&ABackground
Kuraray pursued expansion into activated carbon and purification technologies.
Action taken
Kuraray acquired Pittsburgh-based activated-carbon manufacturer Calgon Carbon.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened Kuraray's business into environmental purification materials and related applications.
Reported transaction value. $1.1 billion (September 2017)
2015
Acquire Plantic TechnologiesM&ABackground
Kuraray sought to expand its portfolio of functional and more sustainable barrier materials.
Action taken
The company acquired Australian biobased barrier-film manufacturer Plantic Technologies.
Aftermath
Plantic technology became part of Kuraray's international barrier-film and packaging-materials portfolio.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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