According to the company’s website press release on February 9, 2023, Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hitoshi Kawahara) announces that construction of a new plant for isoprene-related businesses has been completed and will soon start operations in stages. The construction was undertaken by Kuraray GC Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand; President: Hiroshi Yamamoto) and Kuraray Advanced Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand; President: Hiroshi Yamamoto).
Plant location: WHA Eastern Industrial Park within the petrochemical complex in Map Ta Phut, Rayong Province, Thailand
The new Thai plant will contribute to the continued growth of isoprene-related businesses by strengthening the global supply system and meeting rising global demand for the 3-Methyl-1.5-Pentanediol (MPD), SEPTON™ hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers (HSBC), and GENESTAR™ heat-resistant polyamide-9T (PA9T), which were developed using proprietary Kuraray technology.
Kuraray is implementing its medium-term management plan “PASSION 2026” as a five-year plan leading up to the centennial of its founding in 2026. The Company will continue to proactively invest in growth-oriented projects with the aim of realizing the long-term “Kuraray Vision 2026,” namely, being a “Specialty Chemical Company growing sustainably by incorporating new foundational platforms into its own technologies and contributing to customers, society, and the planet.”
Overview of the Production Equipment
Location: Map Ta Phut, Rayong Province, Thailand
Production capacity: Kuraray GC Advanced Materials Co., Ltd
GENESTAR™ Heat Resistant Polyamide-9T (PA9T) facilities (production capacity: 13,000 t/y)
SEPTON™ Hydrogenated Styrenic Block Copolymer (HSBC) facilities (production capacity: 16,000 t/y)
Kuraray Advanced Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
3-Methyl-1.5-Pentanediol (MPD) facilities (production capacity: 5,000 t/y)
Kuraray’s investment amount: Approx. ¥40.0 billion (calculated using the exchange rate as of the date of the investment decision, December 26, 2018)
Kuraray GC Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.
Company name Kuraray GC Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.
Headquarters 555/1 Energy Complex, Building A, 10th Floor, Vibhavadi
Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Representative Hiroshi Yamamoto
Business description Manufacturing and sales of butadiene derivatives
Registered capital 5.6 billion baht
Date of establishment June 19, 2018
Shareholders and shareholding ratio Kuraray Co., Ltd.: 53.3%*
PTT Global Chemical Public Company Ltd.: 33.4%
Sumitomo Corporation: 13.3%*
* Indirect shareholdings via an intermediate holding company established for the purpose of investing in the joint venture
Kuraray Advanced Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Company name Kuraray Advanced Chemicals (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Headquarters 555/1 Energy Complex, Building A, 10th Floor, Vibhavadi
Rangsit Road, Chatuchak, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Representative Hiroshi Yamamoto
Business description Manufacturing and sales of isobutene derivatives
Registered capital 2.7 billion baht
Date of establishment June 19, 2018
Shareholders and shareholding ratio Kuraray Co., Ltd.: 100%
Kuraray GC Advanced Materials is a joint venture established by Kuraray, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Ltd. (Head office: Bangkok, Thailand; President & CEO: Kongkrapan Intarajang, “GC”) and Sumitomo Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & Chief Executive Officer: Masayuki Hyodo, “Sumitomo”) to manufacture and sell butadiene derivatives in Thailand. Kuraray Advanced Chemicals is a company established solely by Kuraray to manufacture and sell 3-Methyl-1.5-Pentanediol (MPD) in Thailand.
