Representative Director
and President Fumio Ito
Kuraray was founded in 1926 for the purpose of commercializing synthetic rayon, which was cutting edge technology at the time. In 1950 during the post-World War II period, as Japan's first domestic producer of synthetic fiber based on original Japanese technologies, Kuraray became a world leader in the commercialization of PVA(poval) fiber under the KURALON brand, ushering in Japan's pioneering era in the chemical synthetic fiber industry.
The commercialization of KURALON went forward with a sense of social calling to counter the utter ruin in which Japan's postwar economy found itself. Fibers and textiles were manufactured utilizing domestic technology and resources, including limestone and hydroelectric power, and this contributed to a recovery in the lives of the Japanese people. The industry was recognized as one that contributed to the development of the nation. Though KURALON later ceded ground to polyester and other fibers in general use fields, it is now gaining its own foothold as an industrial material and high-performance fiber that can be used as an alternative to asbestos. Kuraray gained much more than technology and profits through the commercialization of rayon and KURALON. Our responsibility to society is expressed in our mission of "Contributing to the World and Individual Well-being through Actions that Others are Unable to Produce" and in a culture that pursues original technology.
That corporate culture also became the driving force behind Kuraray's expansion of operations into fields based upon polymer and synthetic technologies, such as high-performance fibers and textiles, resins and chemical products. Kuraray launched its poval business in 1958, leading the world in pioneering its use in industrial fields as an adhesive, paper processing agent and resin stabilizer. We developed CLARINO man-made leather in 1965, and in 1970 became the first company in the world to successfully commercialize synthetic isoprene, which has the same structure as natural rubber. These activities highlight our experience as a pioneering Company. In addition, the development of poval led to the creation of EVAL in 1972 as the world's first commercially successful ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) resin. EVAL has effectiveness as a gas barrier that is unrivalled among plastics, and revolutionized food packaging around the world. Use of EVAL automotive plastic fuel tanks, which prevent leakage of harmful hydrocarbons given off by gasoline, is also increasing. Furthermore, Kuraray leverages the optical properties of poval, the raw material in poval film, including its polarizing properties and transparency, and poval film has now become an indispensable material for use in polarized film for LCDs.
In addition to these activities, Kuraray is engaged in a broad array of unique businesses, including isoprene-derived products such as thermoplastic elastomers, pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical intermediates and aroma chemicals, as well as dental materials, activated carbon, MAGIC TAPE and others. At the same time, we are focusing on expanding our lineup of differentiated products in general purpose fields such as methacrylic resin, nonwoven fabrics and polyester fibers and textiles. As a result, our proprietary products that boast top share in their markets compose 50% of our net sales, as well as approximately 50% of overseas sales, with global growth continuing.
Since 2006, the Kuraray Group has stated in its "10-year Corporate Vision" that it aims to grow into a specialty chemical company with a global presence. The "GS-Twins" 3-year mid-term action plan aimed at realizing this vision began in fiscal 2009. In addition to giving the highest priority to "improving earnings structure," the company is addressing "the creation and expansion of new businesses" and "acceleration of global strategies in core businesses” which a key issues for further growth.
I believe that understanding the seriousness of global environmental and energy issues, as well as shifting our focus from quantity to quality are essential corporate management issues for the future. we will continue to exert maximum effort in order to fulfill our corporate mission, which reads as follows. "We 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."
Representative Director and President
Fumio Ito
