Intellectual Property

Kuraray Group strategically manages intellectual property to strengthen business ompetitiveness and increase profits. We established the IP Management Center in January 2022 to connect business divisions with the IP division, driving the planning and promotion of IP strategies aligned with each division's business strategy. In 2025, we integrated the IP Department, responsible for strategy execution, into the IP Management Center. This reorganization aims to further strengthen our intellectual property activities by clarifying our strategy and ensuring closer alignment between strategy and execution.

Our company contributes to society with a unique product group centered on one-of-a-kind products. Previously, securing patent and trademark rights related to products and their manufacturing technologies formed the core of our intellectual property activity, as the unique nature of our products differentiates them from the outset. However, in the 21st century, the competitive landscape has changed significantly because of competition from emerging countries and alternative materials, and due to an accumulation of customer experience. Therefore, we are striving for more strategic intellectual property activities that extend beyond proprietary products and technologies, considering other materials and applicationsIn response to this shift, we established the IP Management Center in January 2022. The center supports the IP strategies of each business division while also formulating and implementing a globally integrated intellectual property strategy. It aims to go beyond the traditional rights-focused approach and realize IP initiatives that are directly connected to business success. In January 2025, the center will be reorganized as the Intellectual Property Center, further enhancing the strategic use of intellectual property to strengthen business competitiveness and expand profitability.