Kuraray to boost EVAL production capacity at Pasadena plant

PRESS RELEASE

HOUSTON – Kuraray Co., Ltd. has announced plans to increase the production capacity of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, EVAL™ within its subsidiary, Kuraray America, Inc. The Kuraray EVAL™ plant located in Pasadena will increase their capacity by 11,000 tons per year with planned operations to commence in the summer of 2018.

Currently, Kuraray’s EVAL™ product line provides the world's widest range of EVOH resins and films. With global demand forecasted to increase at an annual rate of six to seven percent, this boost in capacity at the Pasadena EVAL™ plant will further solidify Kuraray as a leader in the production of EVOH resin and barrier materials.

“In addition to expanding EVAL™ production within the United States, this announcement also represents a $75 million investment towards the Bayport community,” said Robert Armstrong, Plant Manager at Kuraray America, Inc. “With the recent opening of the Kuraray Poval plant and the consideration of enhancing current VAM production, Kuraray continues to further their commitment to southeast Texas.”

Due to its superior gas barrier properties, EVAL™ applications include food packaging as well as agricultural and industrial applications. Kuraray is currently developing new applications of EVAL™ including industrial applications such as soil pollution prevention liners and agricultural applications including impermeable fumigation films.

For more information on EVAL™ and Kuraray America, Inc. visit www.kuraray.us.com.

About Kuraray

Founded in 1926, Japan-based Kuraray is a world leader in performance-based polymer and synthetic chemistry technologies, including resins, chemical, fibers and textiles. It was the first entity in the world to bring ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) polymers to market. The company operates 19 subsidiaries around the world, including Kuraray America, Inc., which is headquartered in Houston. The U.S. division is a world leader in barrier polymer material with products like EVAL™ EVOH and Plantic, a bio-based polymer with barrier properties. For more information, visit www.evalevoh.com.