Information
Japan, 〒103-0023 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashihonchō, 3-chōme−3 日本橋本町ビル
+81 3-3249-4744
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Overview
- Summary
- Kureha is a leading Japanese comprehensive chemical product manufacturer specializing in the production and sale of functional materials, specialty chemicals, and plastics. With over 70 years of technological expertise, the company develops proprietary products across diverse sectors including advanced products, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and packaging materials. It operates with a broad vision encompassing industrial issues and advancements, while leveraging highly specialized technical capabilities to develop cutting-edge products. The company focuses on providing products and technologies that contribute to a sustainable world.Kureha is a leading Japanese comprehensive chemical product manufacturer specializing in the production and sale of functional materials, specialty chemicals, and plastics. With over 70 years of technological expertise, the company develops proprietary products across diverse sectors including advanced products, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and packaging materials. It operates with a broad vision encompassing industrial issues and advancements, while leveraging highly specialized technical capabilities to develop cutting-edge products. The company focuses on providing products and technologies that contribute to a sustainable world.
- Key Products/Technologies
- **Advanced Materials**: Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), marketed as Fortron KPS, is a heat-resistant polymer for automotive electronics and industrial applications. It offers exceptional mechanical strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and flame resistance. Polyglycolic acid (PGA), known as Kuredux, is a biodegradable polyester resin with high gas barrier properties against CO2 and O2, and excellent mechanical strength. Its applications include high-performance packaging, shale gas extraction, and various industrial uses. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), including KF Polymer and KF Piezo, is an engineering plastic with an excellent balance of chemical resistance, moldability, and resistance to heat, weather, and corrosion. It serves as a binder in lithium-ion batteries, and is used in electronic materials, water treatment membranes, chemical valves, and sensors. Carbon Products, such as KRECA Carbon Fiber and Bead-shaped Activated Carbon (BAC), are derived from petroleum pitch. These products are utilized for furnace insulation, brake pads, clutch facings, air deodorization, gas absorption, and water purification. KUREHA Microsphere represents originally developed heat-expandable microcapsules.**Advanced Materials**: Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), marketed as Fortron KPS, is a heat-resistant polymer for automotive electronics and industrial applications. It offers exceptional mechanical strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance, and flame resistance. Polyglycolic acid (PGA), known as Kuredux, is a biodegradable polyester resin with high gas barrier properties against CO2 and O2, and excellent mechanical strength. Its applications include high-performance packaging, shale gas extraction, and various industrial uses. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), including KF Polymer and KF Piezo, is an engineering plastic with an excellent balance of chemical resistance, moldability, and resistance to heat, weather, and corrosion. It serves as a binder in lithium-ion batteries, and is used in electronic materials, water treatment membranes, chemical valves, and sensors. Carbon Products, such as KRECA Carbon Fiber and Bead-shaped Activated Carbon (BAC), are derived from petroleum pitch. These products are utilized for furnace insulation, brake pads, clutch facings, air deodorization, gas absorption, and water purification. KUREHA Microsphere represents originally developed heat-expandable microcapsules.
- **Specialty Chemicals**: In pharmaceuticals, Kureha develops KREMEZIN/COVALZIN for chronic kidney disease and Krestin as an anti-cancer agent. Agrochemicals include fungicides like Metconazole and Ipconazole, along with newly acquired biopesticide technology based on microorganisms for crop protection. Industrial chemicals comprise various inorganic and organic chemicals, including chlorine and caustic soda.**Specialty Chemicals**: In pharmaceuticals, Kureha develops KREMEZIN/COVALZIN for chronic kidney disease and Krestin as an anti-cancer agent. Agrochemicals include fungicides like Metconazole and Ipconazole, along with newly acquired biopesticide technology based on microorganisms for crop protection. Industrial chemicals comprise various inorganic and organic chemicals, including chlorine and caustic soda.
- **Specialty Plastics**: Household products feature NEW Krewrap, Japan's first household plastic wrap, and the Kichinto-San series of storage products. Commercial-use food packaging materials include the Krehalon line of high-barrier shrinkable bags and films for meat, poultry, cheese, and perishable foods, along with the Kureha Auto Packer (KAP) system. Leisure-related products include the Seaguar series, recognized as the world's first fluorocarbon fishing lines.**Specialty Plastics**: Household products feature NEW Krewrap, Japan's first household plastic wrap, and the Kichinto-San series of storage products. Commercial-use food packaging materials include the Krehalon line of high-barrier shrinkable bags and films for meat, poultry, cheese, and perishable foods, along with the Kureha Auto Packer (KAP) system. Leisure-related products include the Seaguar series, recognized as the world's first fluorocarbon fishing lines.
- **Nonwoven Fabrics**: Kureha Ltd. offers Kurelock (needle punch nonwoven fabric), Bonden (resin/thermal bond nonwoven fabric), Dynac (spun bond nonwoven fabric), and Kurebulker (spun bond nonwoven fabric).**Nonwoven Fabrics**: Kureha Ltd. offers Kurelock (needle punch nonwoven fabric), Bonden (resin/thermal bond nonwoven fabric), Dynac (spun bond nonwoven fabric), and Kurebulker (spun bond nonwoven fabric).
- Core Advantages
- **Proprietary Technology Development Capability**: Over 70 years of accumulated expertise in organic synthesis, polymer science, carbon control, evaluation, and process engineering drives the development of unique products. The company's culture emphasizes creating innovations internally rather than relying on external technologies.**Proprietary Technology Development Capability**: Over 70 years of accumulated expertise in organic synthesis, polymer science, carbon control, evaluation, and process engineering drives the development of unique products. The company's culture emphasizes creating innovations internally rather than relying on external technologies.
- **Niche Market Leadership and World-Class Production**: Kureha holds the position as the world's largest producer of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). It pioneered the mass-scale manufacturing technique for polyglycolic acid (PGA), achieving a 100% market share in industrial PGA applications. Kureha was also the first in Japan to industrially produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), demonstrating its leading technological edge.**Niche Market Leadership and World-Class Production**: Kureha holds the position as the world's largest producer of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). It pioneered the mass-scale manufacturing technique for polyglycolic acid (PGA), achieving a 100% market share in industrial PGA applications. Kureha was also the first in Japan to industrially produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), demonstrating its leading technological edge.
- **Vertically Integrated Production Systems**: For carbon fiber products, Kureha manages an integrated production process from raw material pitch to final products (fibers, felts, sheets). This ensures flexible, sustainable, and high-quality production outcomes.**Vertically Integrated Production Systems**: For carbon fiber products, Kureha manages an integrated production process from raw material pitch to final products (fibers, felts, sheets). This ensures flexible, sustainable, and high-quality production outcomes.
- **Continuous R&D Investment and Innovation Philosophy**: Guided by the philosophy 'If it doesn't exist, we simply need to make it,' Kureha consistently invests in research and development to design future-generation values. The company specifically targets product development in environmental, energy efficiency, and healthcare sectors.**Continuous R&D Investment and Innovation Philosophy**: Guided by the philosophy 'If it doesn't exist, we simply need to make it,' Kureha consistently invests in research and development to design future-generation values. The company specifically targets product development in environmental, energy efficiency, and healthcare sectors.
- **Global Production and Sales Network**: Kureha operates production sites in Iwaki, Japan, and Shanghai, China. Global sales subsidiaries are strategically located in Tokyo, Osaka, Dusseldorf, New York, and Shanghai, enabling rapid and flexible response to customer demands worldwide. Kureha America Inc. serves as a wholly-owned subsidiary representing key business initiatives in North and South America.**Global Production and Sales Network**: Kureha operates production sites in Iwaki, Japan, and Shanghai, China. Global sales subsidiaries are strategically located in Tokyo, Osaka, Dusseldorf, New York, and Shanghai, enabling rapid and flexible response to customer demands worldwide. Kureha America Inc. serves as a wholly-owned subsidiary representing key business initiatives in North and South America.
- **Product Portfolio Contributing to Environment and Sustainability**: The development of biodegradable polymers like PGA and the acquisition of biopesticide technologies reinforce Kureha's commitment to addressing environmental challenges. The company explicitly outlines its goal to contribute to a sustainable society.**Product Portfolio Contributing to Environment and Sustainability**: The development of biodegradable polymers like PGA and the acquisition of biopesticide technologies reinforce Kureha's commitment to addressing environmental challenges. The company explicitly outlines its goal to contribute to a sustainable society.
- Target Industries
- **Automotive Industry**: Automotive electronics, engine room parts, interior materials, brake pads, clutch facings.**Automotive Industry**: Automotive electronics, engine room parts, interior materials, brake pads, clutch facings.
- **Electronics and Semiconductor Industry**: Lithium-ion battery binders, electrode materials, semiconductor manufacturing processes, computer and mobile device components, antistatic materials, sensors.**Electronics and Semiconductor Industry**: Lithium-ion battery binders, electrode materials, semiconductor manufacturing processes, computer and mobile device components, antistatic materials, sensors.
- **Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry**: Therapeutic agents for chronic kidney disease, anti-cancer agents, medical nonwoven fabrics, pharmaceutical raw materials.**Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry**: Therapeutic agents for chronic kidney disease, anti-cancer agents, medical nonwoven fabrics, pharmaceutical raw materials.
- **Agriculture and Agrochemical Industry**: Agrochemicals, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, biopesticides.**Agriculture and Agrochemical Industry**: Agrochemicals, fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, biopesticides.
- **Packaging Industry**: Food packaging materials (high-barrier films, shrinkable bags), household plastic wraps, industrial packaging materials.**Packaging Industry**: Food packaging materials (high-barrier films, shrinkable bags), household plastic wraps, industrial packaging materials.
- **Water Treatment and Environmental Purification**: Activated carbon for air deodorization, gas absorption, water purification, filters.**Water Treatment and Environmental Purification**: Activated carbon for air deodorization, gas absorption, water purification, filters.
- **Energy Industry**: PGA for shale gas and oil extraction, lithium-ion battery materials.**Energy Industry**: PGA for shale gas and oil extraction, lithium-ion battery materials.
- **Construction and Civil Engineering**: Construction contracting, civil engineering nonwoven fabrics, soundproof flooring materials, architectural interior/exterior materials.**Construction and Civil Engineering**: Construction contracting, civil engineering nonwoven fabrics, soundproof flooring materials, architectural interior/exterior materials.
- **Leisure Industry**: Fishing lines (Seaguar series).**Leisure Industry**: Fishing lines (Seaguar series).
- **High-Temperature Industrial Applications**: Furnace insulation.**High-Temperature Industrial Applications**: Furnace insulation.
- Major Markets
- Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast AsiaJapan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Southeast Asia
- Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Other European countriesGermany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Other European countries
- United StatesUnited States
- South AmericaSouth America
- Certifications/Patents
- **Awards and Recognitions**: Recipient of the 2019 JCIA Technology Award Special Technology Prize for the development of high molecular weight polyglycolic acid (PGA) production technology and new market exploration. Awarded The Ichimura Prize in 2020. Recognized by the 2011 Edison Awards as a finalist in the energy and sustainability category for the innovative Kuredux™ PGA.**Awards and Recognitions**: Recipient of the 2019 JCIA Technology Award Special Technology Prize for the development of high molecular weight polyglycolic acid (PGA) production technology and new market exploration. Awarded The Ichimura Prize in 2020. Recognized by the 2011 Edison Awards as a finalist in the energy and sustainability category for the innovative Kuredux™ PGA.
- **Certifications**: Kureha's Iwaki factory in Japan holds ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certifications for its Bead-shaped Activated Carbon and Carbon Fiber product lines.**Certifications**: Kureha's Iwaki factory in Japan holds ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) certifications for its Bead-shaped Activated Carbon and Carbon Fiber product lines.
- **Patents**: The company holds a total of 16,258 patents, reflecting its strong technological foundation. Notable patents include a polyarylene sulfide production method (US Patent 12552901). Other patents cover a method for producing compounds (US Patent 12428387). Patent applications include polycarbosilane and methods for producing silicon carbide fibers (US Patent Application 20250388476). Hydrophobically modified cellulose fibers and their production method (US Patent Application 20260071008) are also part of its intellectual property. Further patents include electrode materials for non-aqueous solvent secondary cells (US Patent 7235329). Polyester production processes and reactor apparatus (US Patent 6852827). Vinylidene fluoride polymers and their production processes (US Patent 6686427). A process for preparing polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer (US Patent 7208555) also demonstrates its extensive patent portfolio.**Patents**: The company holds a total of 16,258 patents, reflecting its strong technological foundation. Notable patents include a polyarylene sulfide production method (US Patent 12552901). Other patents cover a method for producing compounds (US Patent 12428387). Patent applications include polycarbosilane and methods for producing silicon carbide fibers (US Patent Application 20250388476). Hydrophobically modified cellulose fibers and their production method (US Patent Application 20260071008) are also part of its intellectual property. Further patents include electrode materials for non-aqueous solvent secondary cells (US Patent 7235329). Polyester production processes and reactor apparatus (US Patent 6852827). Vinylidene fluoride polymers and their production processes (US Patent 6686427). A process for preparing polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer (US Patent 7208555) also demonstrates its extensive patent portfolio.
Introduction
Location
Japan, 〒103-0023 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashihonchō, 3-chōme−3 日本橋本町ビル
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