Discontinuation of Polyester-Related Product Manufacturing

Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hitoshi Kawahara; hereinafter “Kuraray”) hereby announces the decision to discontinue the manufacturing of polyester resins and polyester filaments at the manufacturing subsidiary Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. (Location: Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture; President: Kazuhide Oka; Kuraray Saijo Plant).

In 1969, Kuraray began manufacturing polyester resins for use in filaments as well as manufacturing and selling the polyester filament CLAVELLA™ In 1987, the Company started manufacturing and selling KURAPET™, a polyester resin for used in molded products.
 However, in recent years, Kuraray’s polyester-related businesses have faced difficulties due to higher maintenance and update costs accompanying market changes and the aging of equipment. The continuation of the business has been under consideration; however, it has been concluded that ensuring stable production and securing sustainable profitability will be difficult going forward.

Polyester resins for use in filaments:  Manufacture to be discontinued by December 31, 2026 (A number of products will be discontinued by December 31, 2025)
Polyester resin for use in molded products KURAPET™:  Manufacture and sales to be discontinued by December 31, 2026
Polyester filament CLAVELLA™:  Manufacture to be discontinued by December 31, 2026

Manufacture of polyester resins and polyester filaments by Kuraray Saijo Co., Ltd. are to be discontinued, but sales of the following related products will continue.

Products related to polyester filaments:  Through OEM procurement of polyester filaments, related products will continue to be sold by Kuraray Trading Co., Ltd. (However, sales of a number of filament yarn products will be discontinued)
Products related to polyester staple fiber:  Sales of related products manufactured at Kurashiki Plant will continue
* For information on when sales of individual products will be discontinued, please contact each sales representative.

In its Medium-Term Management Plan, “PASSION 2026,” the Kuraray Group has positioned building a more sophisticated business portfolio as an important measure, and is proceeding with efforts regarding the focused allocation of resources to its core businesses, as well as determining which businesses it should downsize or withdraw from. In consideration of social and environmental value and economic value as well as the growth potential of markets, the Group is creating a more sophisticated portfolio by continuously altering the composition of its businesses and products.