09.08.22
Osaka, Japan
www.kuraray.co.jp
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $74 million
Key Personnel
Shinzi Matsuo, president, Kuraray Kuraflex
Plants
Okayama and Saijo, Japan
Processes
Chemical bonded, spunlaced, meltblown, steam jet
Brand names
Kuraflex, Microflex, Felibendy, Vecrus
Kuraray Kuraflex, a subsidiary of Kuraray, makes spunlaced nonwovens and chemical bonded nonwovens with a capacity of 10,500 tons per year as well as steam jet nonwovens with a capacity of 2700 tons per year and 2700 tons of meltblown per year.
In 2021, demand for mask materials, sanitizing wipes and personal care wipes have all decreased. Additionally, Kuraray’s Counter Cloth brand of food service wipes continued to be impacted by lockdown measures and shorter operating hours in restaurants.
On a positive note, Kuraray has grown its filter business in automotive, HVAC applications and in liquid cartridge areas. These markets have grown thanks to increases in the company’s meltblown capacity, made initially to satisfy face mask demand.
Within cars, the materials are being used in sound absorption buffers for both gas and electric vehicles.
For Kuraray's 2020 top company report, click here.
www.kuraray.co.jp
2021 Nonwovens Sales: $74 million
Key Personnel
Shinzi Matsuo, president, Kuraray Kuraflex
Plants
Okayama and Saijo, Japan
Processes
Chemical bonded, spunlaced, meltblown, steam jet
Brand names
Kuraflex, Microflex, Felibendy, Vecrus
Kuraray Kuraflex, a subsidiary of Kuraray, makes spunlaced nonwovens and chemical bonded nonwovens with a capacity of 10,500 tons per year as well as steam jet nonwovens with a capacity of 2700 tons per year and 2700 tons of meltblown per year.
In 2021, demand for mask materials, sanitizing wipes and personal care wipes have all decreased. Additionally, Kuraray’s Counter Cloth brand of food service wipes continued to be impacted by lockdown measures and shorter operating hours in restaurants.
On a positive note, Kuraray has grown its filter business in automotive, HVAC applications and in liquid cartridge areas. These markets have grown thanks to increases in the company’s meltblown capacity, made initially to satisfy face mask demand.
Within cars, the materials are being used in sound absorption buffers for both gas and electric vehicles.
For Kuraray's 2020 top company report, click here.