News

Kuraray announces the decision to increase the prices of its EVOH resin (ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; Kuraray trademark: EVAL), EVOH film (EVAL film) and KURARISTER for shipments commencing March 3, 2014. Details of the price revisions are given below.

Due to rising crude oil and naphtha prices in recent years, the price of the main raw material used in producing EVAL and KURARISTER has also continued to climb sharply. In addition, profitability has been deteriorating due to various factors, including the rising cost of utilities. These increasing costs exceed the scope of cost reductions achieved through the Company’s independent efforts.

Under these circumstances, Kuraray has decided to implement the following price revisions for EVOH resin (EVAL), EVOH film (EVAL film) and KURARISTER.

EVOH Resin (EVAL)

With the release of EVAL in 1972, Kuraray became the first company in the world to develop and commercialize a high-functional resin, which boasts the highest level of gas barrier properties of any plastic (approximately 10,000 times that of general-purpose polyethylene). Given these properties, EVAL is employed for a variety of applications, including as excellent wrapping material for preserving food and containers for cosmetics and chemicals. In the context of the strict gasoline fuel emission controls in recent years, EVAL’s use as a material for automotive fuel tanks has been expanding, as it facilitates weight reduction and molding. Furthermore, the use of EVAL in wall coverings and floor heating and pipes for floor heating systems as well as other home and everyday products has been growing and demand has been expanding worldwide.

KURARISTER

Highly suited for retorts, Kuraray's proprietary barrier film for food packaging applications boasts an excellent gas barrier property as well as transparency. The lineup includes two types of products: the polyester film-based KURARISTER C and the nylon film-based KURARISTER N specialty barrier coating film.