Ote Center Building,1-1-3,Ōtemachi,Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 100-8115, Japan (Tokyo head office) Umeda Hankyu Building Office Tower, 8-1, Kakudacho,Kita-ku,Osaka 530-8611, Japan (Osaka head office)
Kuraray Co., Ltd (株式会社クラレ,Kabushiki-gaisha Kurare) is a Japanese manufacturer of chemicals, fibers and other materials. Their main manufacturing facilities are located inKurashiki, Okayama. The company's Tokyo administrative offices are located in Otemachi, Chiyoda in the Ote Center Building and its Osaka offices are located in the Umeda Hankyu Building).[4][5] As of June 2007[update], Kuraray was the sole worldwide producer ofVectranliquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibre.[6]
In April 2015, Kuraray acquired the Australian manufacturer of biobased barrier films Plantic Technologies.[8] In September 2017, Kuraray acquiredCalgon Carbon for $1.1 billion, an activated carbon maker based in Pittsburgh.[9][10] In February 2021, Kuraray signed the global framework of theUnited Nations Global Compact.[11]
In May 2018, an explosion occurred in Kuraray'sPasadena plant in the US, injuring 21 workers. The plant is the world's largest ethylene vinyl alcohol plant.[14][15] Kuraray agreed to pay a total of $92 million in settlement to the affected employees.[16] In September 2019, a plasticizer leaked from Kuraray's plant inFayetteville to theCape Fear River, forcing the Brunswick County to stop drawing water from the river.[17]