Kuraray to expand production of TROSIFOL film in Troisdorf − Aim is to significantly increase market share in the automotive sector

The company will invest nearly EUR 20 million in an additional production line, which will increase capacity enormously when it comes on stream at year-end 2013. Kuraray is also investigating strategic options to increase capacity in Asia with a strong focus on India.



The investment is a response to rising global demand from the automotive industry for PVB film for laminated safety glass and should greatly increase TROSIFOL's share of this market. With its TROSIFOL brand Kuraray is already Europe's leading supplier of PVB film for the production of laminated safety glass for architectural glazing.



"The new production line in Troisdorf will be specifically geared to the automotive industry's stringent quality requirements," says Ralf Eschrich, who heads the TROSIFOL Division at Kuraray Europe GmbH. "At the same time, we will be stepping up the number of staff working in research & development and technical service. The aim is to raise our presence in this key growth market and position ourselves as a strong and competent partner for customers in the automotive industry."





Ralf Eschrich, Head of the TROSIFOL Division at Kuraray Europe GmbH.



With its TROSIFOL brand Kuraray is a leading supplier of PVB films for laminated safety glass for vehicles, buildings and solar modules.



The new production line in Troisdorf will be specifically geared to the automotive industry's stringent quality requirements.



Kuraray Europe GmbH

Kuraray Europe GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the global speciality chemical company Kuraray Co., Ltd., which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Kuraray was founded in 1926 and now has around 6,500 employees and annual sales of about EUR 3.2 billion. It is one of the largest suppliers of polymers and synthetic microfibres and an international leader in the development and use of innovative high-performance materials. Kuraray Europe GmbH is based at Höchst Industrial Park in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and has around 650 employees. It is the leading European producer of PVA, PVB and PVB films. The company’s product portfolio also includes chemical specialities, activated carbon, thermoplastic elastomers, industrial fibres, man-made leather and dental products. For further information please visit www.kuraray.eu.