Kuraray announces a planned increase of its globally in-demand ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH resin) production capacity in its bases of operation in the United States and Europe.

A total of 5,000 tons/year will be added to the capacity of U.S., and European bases of operation in 2024, with another 5,000 tons/year to be added in 2026. This 10,000-tons/year total capacity increase will bring global production capacity from the present 103,000 tons/year to 113,000 tons/year.

 Also, as detailed in the PASSION 2026 medium-term management plan, a project team established last year is currently deliberating on the creation of a new base of operations in Asia.

The company anticipates that the need for food packaging will continue to increase in Asia, where the market for EVOH resin is expanding significantly. To improve our capacity to react swiftly to our customers’ needs, we intend to set up a technical center at the new Asian base of operations.