Kuraray to increase ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer production capacity at EVAL

11-Feb-15

Japanese chemical company Kuraray Co Ltd plans to increase ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) production capacity of EVAL Europe NV from 24,000 tpa to 35,000 tpa, at an investment of Yen 8 billion (approx US$67.48 mln). The wholly owned Kuraray subsidiary located in Antwerp, Belgium, expects to complete the expansion by the end of 2016. Previously, the increase in EVAL demand has been centered primarily in industrialised nations, such as Japan and the US as well as those in Europe. However, demand is now rising in emerging nations too. Due to its superior gas barrier properties, EVOH demand is steadily expanding, particularly for food packaging applications that offer better food preservation and for automotive plastic fuel tanks that effectively prevent hydrocarbon emissions. Besides, EVAL applications have expanded to include stain proof wallpaper, under-floor heating and vacuum insulation panels for refrigerators. To secure a stable supply structure, Kuraray Group, which has two more EVAL facilities at Texas (USA) and Okayama (Japan), has decided to boost its EVAL production capacity at Antwerp. On completion of this expansion, Kuraray’s global EVAL production capacity will increase from 81,000 tpa to 92,000 tpa.