Responding to rising demand, primarily in North America and Europe Kuraray to Expand Production Facilities for PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) Film for Industrial Applications
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.