News

Kuraray will increase the price of its top brand CLARINO, which holds the world's No. 1 share in the man-made leather industry, on shipments commencing from April 1, 2007. Details of the price increase are as follows.

Although there are current signs of a brief easing in the rapid rise in prices of crude oil and naphtha, prices continue to fluctuate at an unprecedented high level. This has brought about a similar situation in nylon, polyurethane and polyester, the main raw materials for CLARINO.

While the price of raw materials has continued to rise since Kuraray's last price increase in October 2004, Kuraray has set the objective of ensuring a stable supply of its man-made leather products to customers and has consistently striven to reduce costs. However, the continued increase in the price of fuels and raw materials has exceeded the feasible scope of cost cutting, and led to a decline in Kuraray's profitability.

In order to maintain stable supplies against a backdrop of the solid increase in demand, Kuraray recognizes that it must improve profitability in its man-made leather business. Accordingly, the Company will implement the price revision as outlined below.

1. Scope of revision

• (1) CLARINO, AMARETTA, PARCASSIO and all other man-made leather products.

  CLARINO	Grain type man-made leather used for shoes, bags and sports balls
  AMARETTA	Suede-type used for clothing and interiors
  PARCASSIO	Grain type man-made leather with tannery finishing used for shoes

• (2) These products used for shoes, bags, gloves, sports balls, clothing, interior and other applications.
• (3) Domestic and export shipments.

2. Price increase

6%
Due to the widespread effect of soaring fuel and raw material prices, the price increase will be applied across the board.

3. Effective date

shipments from April 1, 2007

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