Japanese chemicals producer Kuraray (Tokyo; www.kuraray.co.jp) has completed its acquisition of industrial-use polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films manufacturer MonoSol (Merrillville, Indiana / USA; www.monosol.com) after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals. The deal, which was announced in May, is part of Kuraray's strategy to expand its vinyl acetate chemical chains business and become a global leader in the PVA film business, for both optical and industrial applications – see Plasteurope.com of 23.05.2012.

Kuraray said it will include MonoSol in its consolidated balance sheets from the first quarter of the fiscal year ending 31 March 2013. MonoSol’s name and basic management will remain unchanged, and the company will be controlled by Kuraray’s US-based subsidiary Kuraray Holdings USA.