Kuraray America Celebrates World IP Day 2026 and Recognizes Employee Inventors

Kuraray America, Inc. celebrated #WorldIPDay (World Intellectual Property (IP) Day). World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO's 2026 theme, “IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate,” highlights the critical role that IP (e.g. patents, trademarks, designs, copyright, etc.) plays in protecting creativity and innovation in the world of sports.

Just like the best sports team, innovation takes collaboration, discipline, and the right protections in place to maximize the positive impact.

As part of our 2026 celebration, we are proud to recognize 12 inventors from across our business for IP contributions made in 2025 and YTD 2026.
Representing teams across VECTRAN, AIS, EVAL, and PVOH, these inventors contributed to new ideas, filings, and granted patents that help strengthen our innovation pipeline.

Congratulations 
AIS (Advanced Interlayer Solutions)
Anthony Smith

EVAL
Edgard Chow, Masahiko Ota, David Hagen, Emilio Morales, Brian Ninan

PVOH
Gabe Ghebremeskel, Ph.D., Yuta Taoka, Brittany Spell

VECTRAN
Michael Iwanski, Patrick Coffey, Forrest Sloan

Thank you Janice Logan, Partner at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, for celebrating with us and hosting a very engaging discussion, highlighting the importance of intellectual property in protecting innovation.

As Kuraray approaches its 100th anniversary in June 2026, these contributions reflect the inventive spirit helping shape our next century.

Special thank you to Hans Vandommele, Frank Taylor, Brian Chapman Nelson Rodriguez, Rebecca Smith, Kenny Kincaid