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  • Notice
May. 07, 2015

Providing commercial sanitary wiping cloths and other nonwoven fabrics to food court and restaurant kitchens Kuraray to Support the Japanese Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015 Producing and supplying KURAFLEX counter cloths in three traditional Japanese colors

Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Masaaki Ito; “Kuraray”) will support the Japanese pavilion at Expo Milano 2015, to be held in Milan, Italy from May 1 to October 31, 2015. The theme of the Expo is Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life, and 148 countries, regions and international institutions will participate. There are expected to be around 20 million visitors.
The theme of the Japanese pavilion will be Japanese food and food culture. Kuraray will provide the venue’s food court and restaurant kitchens with a range of nonwoven fabric products, including the commercial sanitary wiping cloth KURAFLEX counter cloths, to help ensure hygiene and food safety. Moreover, by providing a product lineup in keeping with the food theme, we will be supporting the promotion of Japanese food culture.

1. Support Details

  • Kuraray KURAFLEX Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Atsumi Adachi; wholly owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd.) will provide a range of its nonwoven fabric products created for the food industry.
  • KURAFLEX counter cloths (commercial nonwoven sanitary wiping cloths) will be supplied in three traditional Japanese colors--cherry blossom, green tea, and indigo--to harmonize with the Japanese food and atmosphere.

2. Overview of KURAFLEX Counter Cloths

  • A highly absorbent nonwoven sanitary wiping cloth that dries quickly to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Has the largest share of the Japanese market for commercial nonwoven sanitary wiping cloths, which are widely used in the food product industry, including by supermarkets and restaurants.
  • Received the Good Design Long Life Design Award, a Special Award granted in 2012 under the Good Design Award system, for its lengthy track record of use at restaurants and cafes.
  • In 2012, Kuraray KURAFLEX began selling household-use variations of the product in handy sizes and weights as well as gentle colors to match home interiors. Sales channels are being expanded to include super markets and general stores.
  • Over 40 years have passed since Kuraray KURAFLEX initiated sales in 1972, and the company continues to expand, particularly in the food product industry. Going forward, the company aims to expand sales of products for household use as well as sales overseas.

3. Overview of the Japanese Pavilion

Exhibit theme: Harmonious Diversity
Main message: Japan’s various efforts in the field of agriculture, forestry and fisheries as well as food, and its various knowledge and skills that are found throughout “Japanese food” and “Japanese food culture” will contribute to the solution to issues common to all humankind and cultivate approaches toward a diverse and sustainable society of coexistence in the future.
Sub-message: The Japanese values of itadakimasu (expression of gratitude before starting a meal), gochisousama (expression of gratitude after finishing a meal), mottainai (don’t be wasteful) and osusowake (a sense of sharing) will save the world.
Organizers: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Co-organizer: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Participating institution: Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)