kuraray

Fastening Division
Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.

Overview

Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd. became the first company in Japan to produce and sell the woven hook and loop fastener, MAGIC TAPE, in 1960. Over the ensuing 50 years, Kuraray Fastening has developed and sold a wide array of fastening products to meet market needs as they arose.

Responding to current consumer demands in the areas of the environment, safety and health, Kuraray Fastening is promoting the development of products that are people- and eco-friendly. These developments include New Eco Magic, an eco-friendly hook and loop fastener first created by Kuraray Fastening that does not undergo polyurethane-based back court processing, thus achieving a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions compared with products made using conventional manufacturing processes. Through the development of New Eco Magic, Kuraray Fastening is devoting itself to expanding the market for hook and loop fastener products.

In addition to clothing applications, Kuraray Fastening developed MAGILOCK, an industrial-use molded plastic hook and loop fastener. At the same time, the Company is developing and making proposals related to new fastening systems in such areas as automobiles, rail cars and construction materials.

History

April 1960 Japan Velcro Co., Ltd. established
October 1960 MAGIC TAPE woven hook and loop fastener commercialized
March 1964 Kuraray Co., Ltd. invests in Japan Velcro Co., Ltd.
December 1984 Kuraray Co., Ltd. acquires Japan Velcro Co., Ltd. and takes over the Tsurugashima Plant in Saitama Prefecture
April 1988 Production of MAGIC TAPE woven hook and loop fasteners transferred to Magic Tape Co., Ltd. in Fukui Prefecture
December 1989 Kuraray's Kurashiki Plant begins producing MAGILOCK molded hook and loop fasteners
August 2002 Production of MAGILOCK transferred to Magic Tape Co., Ltd. in Fukui Prefecture
August 2003 Kuraray Magic Tape (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. established
April 2004 The fastening business transferred from Kuraray Co., Ltd. to Magic Tape Co., Ltd.Unified management of production, development and sales commences
October 2004 Company name changed to Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd.
April 2009 The Fastening Division established to function　as a point of contact for Kuraray Fastening Co., Ltd. in order to　further promote integrated management within the Kuraray Group in such business management areas as development and personnel

Scope of Operations

Production capacity
(25mm width)
Woven hook and loop fasteners Maruoka Plant, Fukui Prefecture 48 million meters per year (60% share of the domestic market)
Molded hook and loop fasteners Maruoka Plant, Fukui Prefecture 7 million meters per year

Challenges and Strategies

MAGIC TAPE
synonymous with hook and loop fasteners
  • Industrial applications (including automobiles, aircraft, rail cars)
  • Industrial material applications (including agricultural and marine materials, engineering and construction materials)
  • Medical applications (including blood pressure gauges, tourniquets and prosthetics)
  • Clothing applications
  • Sporting goods, etc.
New ECOMAGIC
Eco-friendly hook and loop fasteners
  • Clothing applications
  • Industrial applications, etc.
Single component, hook and loop fastener
  • Clothing applications
  • Furnishings
  • Industrial materials, etc.
MAGILOCK
Extrusion molded hook fastener
  • Industrial applications (including use as a car seat upholstery fastener)
  • Engineering and construction materials
  • Interior applications, etc.
Acts as a joint based on its mushroom-shaped components
  • Industrial and interior applications
Ultrahigh-strength hook and loop fastener
  • Industrial nets, attachments for artificial turf mat sheets, etc.

Challenges and Policies

MAGIC TAPE, which has become synonymous with woven hook and loop fasteners, forms the foundation for the market development of the eco-friendly product, New ECOMAGIC. In addition, Kuraray Fastening is taking steps to facilitate the market penetration of MAGILOCK, the molded plastic hook and loop fastener, in areas that include applications for industrial materials. Through this, Kuraray Fastening will promote the development of a wide array of products as a comprehensive manufacturer of hook and loop fasteners.

Core Products

Main Brands
  • MAGIC TAPE
  • New ECOMAGIC
  • Single component, hook and loop fastener
  • MAGILOCK
  • Mold-In Fastener
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