Kuraray Commences New PVB Resin Production Line in Europe

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kuraray Co., Ltd (hereafter "Kuraray")(TOKYO:3405)(ISIN:JP3269600007) has executed production capacity expansion of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) resin (Brand Name; MOWITAL) by constructing one new line at its European subsidiary, Kuraray Europe GmbH (hereafter "KEG"). KEG has finished trial operation, and just started commercial production. The total annual capacity of PVB resin at KEG has been increased by this latest expansion to 39,000 tons.

PVB resin is made from PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) resin which was industrialized for the first time in the world in 1950. PVB resin is a raw material for the production of "PVB Film (Brand Name; TROSIFOL)" which is used as interlayer for architectural glazing and laminated safety glass for automotive, respectively. Furthermore, the demand of TROSIFOL as encapsulant of solar cell modules is increasing. Among other applications PVB resin is used as a binder in paint, printing ink, and ceramics.

The Kuraray Group will further enhance its vinyl acetate and Poval-related businesses on a global basis, while reinforcing the consistent production flow from PVA resin to PVB resin and film.

The profile of the PVB resin new production line
	Annual Capacity	：	Existing Capacity 29,000 tons (Investment amount ：26 Million Euro)
			New Capacity 10,000 tons
			Total Capacity 39,000tons
	Location	：	Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The overview of KEG
	Name ：Kuraray Europe GmbH
	Capital ：31Million Euro（100% invested by Kuraray）
	Geschaeftsfuehrer (President)：Dr. Matthias Gutweiler
	Headquarter ：Frankfurt am Main, Germany
	Activities：	Importing and sales of Kuraray products in Europe, Manufacture and sales of PVA resin(MOWIOL ), Butyral resin (MOWITAL) and PVB film (TROSIFOL)
	Number of employees：Approx. 500

About Kuraray

Kuraray was established in 1926. In 1950, the company achieved a corporate milestone as the first in the world to bring polyvinyl alcohol synthetic fiber to market. In subsequent years, Kuraray used its proprietary technology in the area of polymer chemistry and synthetic chemistry to develop chemicals and resins, fibers and textiles, high-performance materials, medical products and others. Kuraray has overseas subsidiaries in 16 countries and regions outside Japan, as a global specialty chemical company. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.kuraray.co.jp/en/.