News

Kuraray will double the annual production capacity of EVAL Europe N.V. (located in Belgium) by 12,000 tons to 24,000 tons, to cope with the growing demand on the world market for EVOH resin (sold by Kuraray under the brand name of EVAL). The new facilities are scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2003 at an estimated investment of ¥8.5 billion.
EVAL is a functional resin developed by Kuraray that has been in growing demand since the start of production in 1972 - mainly for use as a food packaging material - thanks to its superior gas-barrier properties. In recent years, the scope of application of EVAL has been spreading to non-food areas, including demand for use in automobile plastic fuel tanks with a barrier layer of EVAL. Total world demand for this product - mainly in Europe, the U.S., and Japan - is continuing to rise at an annual rate of over 10%. The Company has plants for EVAL production in Okayama, Japan (annual production capacity of 10,000 tons), in Pasadena, Texas, the U.S. (Eval Company of America, annual capacity of 23,000 tons), and in Antwerp, Belgium (EVAL Europe N.V., annual capacity of 12,000 tons), giving a total production capacity of 45,000 tons. The Company estimates that its current capacity will not meet growing demand and has thus decided to expand capacity in Europe.
Kuraray designates EVAL as one of its core businesses in the 5-year New Medium-Term Business Plan, dubbed "G-21", which focuses on the strengthening and expansion of its global businesses by taking full advantage of Kuraray's unique products and technologies. EVAL is also one of our focal products in the strategic area of eco-friendly field, and is seen as an invaluable tool in achieving concrete realization of Kuraray's expressed aim of becoming an eco-friendly enterprise with unique technology. In line with this goal, we will ensure that the new production facilities feature process improvements that take environmental preservation needs into consideration.
Kuraray is considering a similar plan for Eval Company of America, under which capacity may be increased by 12,000 tons or by 24,000 tons. In this way, Kuraray will continue to expand EVAL operations in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.