News

EVAL Europe’s plant

Kuraray has completed the expansion of facilities to manufacture EVOH resin (which Kuraray markets under the trade name EVAL) at EVAL Europe N. V. (Antwerp, Belgium). The project just completed increases production capacity by 12,000 tons per year, to 24,000 tons per year.

Kuraray was first in the world to develop and commercialize this high-performance resin in 1972, with the launch of EVAL. It has the highest gas impermeability level of any plastic (approximately 10,000 times that of ordinary polyethylene). These excellent gas barrier properties make EVAL film a superior food-wrapping material. Because it contributes to lighter weight of the products in which it is used, is easily shaped, and is impermeable to fumes, it is an excellent material for auto fuel tanks. Demand for EVAL in this connection is growing rapidly. In addition, the use of EVAL pipes for floor heating systems and in other applications in the residential field is growing.

At present, demand for EVAL is centered in Japan, the U. S., and Europe, and is growing at more than 10% per year. This facilities expansion positions us to meet not only European demand, but also the demand growth forecast in the Middle East and South Africa as lifestyles change in those areas. This project also allows us to use a more environmentally aware manufacturing process.

In addition to EVAL Europe N. V., Kuraray has EVAL manufacturing facilities at its Okayama Plant (Okayama Prefecture, 10,000 tons per year), and at Eval Company of America (the U.S., 23,000 tons per year). This Eval Europe N. V. expansion project also completes our tripolar, 57,000 tons-per-year EVAL manufacturing structure, anchored in Japan, the U. S., and Europe.

The expansion of facilities at Eval Company of America is also underway, and will increase their production capacity by 24,000 tons per year, resulting in a total production capacity between the three locations of 81,000 tons per year. This product is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2006.