Highlights

A look at recent highlights and performance of Kuraray’s research and development

Innovation Case Studies

  • VECSTAR™ (Liquid crystalline polymer film), VECSTAR™ FCCL (Flexible copper-clad laminates)
    Demand for VECSTAR™ is expected to increase further as an electronic circuit board for electronic devices such as smartphones and vehicle-mounted high-speed communications devices, thanks to its reputation for low transmission loss in the high-frequency wave range and excellent workability. This led us to upgrade existing production facilities in 2018. In 2020, we also upgraded existing production facilities for flexible copper-clad laminates VECSTAR™ FCCL, which uses liquid crystalline polymer film, at the Kashima Plant. We are currently considering further reinforcement.



  • Polishing Pads for Semiconductors (CMP pads)
    Polishing pads for semiconductors are made of high-hardness polyurethane, a new material developed by leveraging the polyurethane design and manufacturing technologies cultivated through the development of CLARINO™ man-made leather. Multiple customers have begun shifting to Kuraray’s CMP pads since their super-hard surfaces offer outstanding device polishing and smoothening capabilities, create few scratches despite their hardness, and deliver a long service life due to their high abrasion resistance. In addition to these features, a combination with specific general-purpose slurries enables highly efficient polishing and reduction of polishing slurry usage. This has yielded cost reductions in customer production processes. We are currently expanding sales in Japan and gaining ongoing recognition from customers in Japan and overseas, as well as in relation to numerous processes. We have succeeded in strengthening our collaborative system for evaluation with customers and will continue to expand our customer base and sales volume.



  • KURANODE™ (hard carbon for lithium-ion battery anodes)
    We are working on R&D of a new hard carbon that possesses a distinctive structure made from plants for use as an anode material for lithium-ion secondary batteries, and moving forward with development of manufacturing technology for this material. Owing to its structure, the new hard carbon will enable both excellent output performance and higher battery capacity than graphite. We are currently evaluating its utility as a next-generation anode material, with a view to consumer applications including batteries for smartphones and tablet PCs and automotive uses.



Awards and Accolades

2023 Development of GL module, a hollow-fiber membrane module with a robust ability to treat highly turbid water and superior water permeability
(Ichimura Prize in Industry for Excellent Achievement)
2022 Development and commercialization of GL module, a hollow-fiber membrane module for water treatment
(The Japan Chemical Industry Association, Technology Special Award)
2020 Development and commercialization of plastic scintillating fiber (PSF)
(The Japan Chemical Industry Association, Technology Special Award)
2015 POWERON™, a construction method for repairs/reinforcement using boards
(The Japan Society of Civil Engineers, Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award)
2013 Contribution to the discovery of Higgs boson by plastic scintillating fiber (PSF)
(The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Technology Award)
2013 Development and commercialization of heat-resistant polyamide 9T GENESTAR™
(The Society of Polymer Science, Japan, Technology Award)
2010 Commercialization of man-made leather CLARINO™, an environmentally friendly and non-solvent product
(The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Technology Award)
2004 Development and application of nonanediamine production catalyst for novel heat-resistant polyamide
(The Catalysis Society of Japan, Technology Award)
1999 Development and commercialization of KURALON K-Ⅱ™, a new PVA fiber
(The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Technology Award)
1997 Development of disperse-dyeable rayon filament
(The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Technology Award)
1994 Development of water-soluble polymer-isocyanate adhesive
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)
1991 Development of new manufacturing method for n-octanol and glycols using a precious-metal complex catalyst
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)
1987 Establishment of pathogen adsorption therapy for myasthenia gravis
(The Japan Society for Artificial Organs, President’s Award)
1984 Development of dialysis machine using hollow fiber membrane
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)
1983 Research into and commercialization of dental filling material using adhesive polymer
(The Society of Polymer Science, Japan, Technology Award)
1981 Development of ultra microcrater fiber CLAVELLA SN-2000™
(The Society of Fiber Science and Technology, Japan, Technology Award)
1981 Establishment and commercialization of terpene manufacturing method using isoprene as a raw material
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)
1975 Research into and commercialization of gas barrier resin EVAL™
(The Society of Polymer Science, Japan, Technology Award)
1973 Research into and commercialization of man-made leather CLARINO™
(The Society of Polymer Science, Japan, Technology Award)
1972 Establishment of manufacturing technology for man-made leather
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)
1951 Research into and establishment of PVA fiber (KURALON™) manufacturing technology
(The Chemical Society of Japan, Chemical Technology Award)