News

The prices of Kuraray's polyvinyl alcohol fibers KURALON and KURALON K-Ⅱ increase ¥50 per kilogram respectively for domestic and overseas shipments commencing Oct. 1,2006. Six months have passed since the Company last increased product prices in April 2006.

Kuraray decided to implement these price revisions as a result of steep rises in raw materials and fuel costs caused by surging crude oil and naphtha prices. The Company was compelled to make the decision due to the unexpected drop of its business beyond the permissible limits despite the effect from the previous price revision and its endeavors for cost reduction.

Target items for price revision are KURALON, the Company's mainstay product sold in the domestic and overseas markets for industrial material applications, and KURALON K-Ⅱ, a high-strength solvent type and water-solvent type fibers.

KURALON is used as a reinforcing agent for cement and mortar as an alternative to much discussed asbestos. It is also employed for other industrial applications including as a reinforcing fiber in paper, nonwoven fabrics, and rubber materials.

Kuraray also increases prices for polyester staple fibers by ¥40 per kilogram for domestic and overseas shipments commencing Oct. 1, 2006 for the same reason. Target products for price revision are KRAFTER and other polyester staple fibers.

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 clothes.

1. Scope of revisions
All domestic and overseas shipments of KURALON and KURALON K-Ⅱ, as well as polyester staple fibers.
2. Price increase
KURALON / KURALON K-Ⅱ ¥50 per kilogram across the board
KRAFTER / polyester staple fibers ¥40 per kilogram across the board
3. Effective date
Shipments from October 1, 2006