Japan’s Kuraray (Tokyo; www.kuraray.co.jp) announced plans to increase the output of its Eval ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) at both its Belgian site in Antwerp and its US plant in Houston, Texas, each by 5,000 t/y.

The group said it is also considering the construction of a new production plant in Asia, where until now only two small domestic lines have been running. In this case, “Asia” should probably be taken to mean China.

The company noted that demand for EVOH, which is used in packaging film as an oxygen barrier, has previously been rising predominantly in industrialised countries. The additional capacity, in particularly the new Asian facility, are reportedly intended to meet demand in threshold countries. 

At present, Kuraray has worldwide EVOH capacities totalling 108,000 t/y. The two already large production plants earmarked for expansion are to be increased in two phases from 58,000 t/y to 63,000 t/y in Houston and from 35,000 t/y to 40,000 t/y in Antwerp. As a result, the group’s total capacity, including the two plants in Okayama, Japan, with a combined capacity of 15,000 t/y, would rise to 118,000 t/y between 2024 and 2026.

Kuraray reportedly earned well in the second quarter of 2023 with EVOH and the entire Vinyl Acetates business group covering PVA/EVA and PVOH/EVOH. Sales were up 7.3% to JPY 198 bn (EUR 1.25 bn), and results rose nearly 20% to JPY 40 bn.