News

Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumio Ito), has decided to expand its production facilities in Indiana, the United States (MonoSol LLC: a Kuraray Group wholly owned subsidiary; Headquarters: Merrillville, Indiana), in response to strong demand for PVA films for industrial applications.

Facility Expansion Background

Kuraray decided to establish a new factory, including new buildings and production equipment, in order to meet increasing demand, particularly in North America and Europe, for PVA film for various industrial applications.

Overview of Facility Expansion

Location Portage, Indiana, the United States
Investment targets Property, buildings and production facilities
Invested amount Approximately US$25 million in Phase I.
Operation target January, 2016

Outline of MonoSol

Company name MonoSol, LLC
Capital US$59 million
Representative P. Scott Bening, President & CEO
Headquarters Merrillville, Indiana, the United States
Business offices The United States and United Kingdom (production facilities)
Principal businesses Manufacture and sale of PVA film for various industrial applications, such as packaging films for unit dose detergents, agrochemicals and dyes as well as mold-release films for synthetic marble and so on.
Number of employees Approximately 450 (as of December 31, 2013)
Website www.monosol.com

* Kuraray Co., Ltd. acquired U.S.-based MonoSol, LLC, which manufactures and sells PVA films, in June, 2012. This acquisition forms part of Kuraray’s strategy to expand its “Vinyl Acetate Chemical Chains Business,” which is one of its core businesses.