News

The prices of Kuraray's polyvinyl alcohol fibers KURALON and KURALON K-II, as well as polyester staple fiber including KRAFTER will both increase by 5% (¥30-50 per kilogram and ¥20-40 per kilogram respectively) for domestic and overseas shipments commencing November 1, 2005. This is the first price increase since November 2004.

Kuraray decided to implement these third price revisions as a result of steep rises in raw materials and fuels costs caused by prolonged increases in crude oil and naphtha prices. Such rising costs have led to the worsening of profitability, in spite of previous product price increases and rationalization efforts.

KURALON is sold in the domestic and overseas markets for industrial material applications, while KURALON K-II and other products are sold as high-strength solvent type and water soluble type fibers and textiles.

KURALON, in particular, is used as a reinforcing agent for concrete and mortar as an alternative to the recently talked about asbestos. It is also employed for other industrial applications including as a reinforcing fiber in paper, nonwoven fabric and rubber materials.

Kuraray's polyester staple fibers are used as raw stock in nonwoven fabrics, and as yarns and knits in industrial materials such as threads and cloths.

1. Scope of revisions
All domestic and overseas shipments of KURALON and KURALON K-II, as well as polyester staple fibers.
2. Price increase
5% across the board
3. Effective date
Shipments from November 1, 2005