| History
Kuraray was founded in 1926 for the purpose of commercializing rayon, which was the cutting edge technology at that time. In 1950 during the post-World War II period, as Japan's first domestic producer of synthetic fiber based on world leader in the commercialization of PVA (poval) fiber under the KURALON brand, ushering in Japan's pioneering era in the chemical synthetic fiber industry.
November 1964
Kuraray Co., Ltd. establishes a pilot plant in Kurashiki for the production of their synthetic leather CLARINO; plant capacity: 50,000 m2/month.
November 1966
Mass production begins inside their Okayama plant; plant capacity: 150,000 m2/month
March 1973
Production equipment at the Okayama Plant is increased. CLARINO production capacity reaches 300,000 m2/month
October 1973
Production equipment at the Okayama Plant is increased. CLARINO production capacity reaches 600,000 m2/month
January 1977
Begins sales of CLARINO F, soft-type synthetic leather; 10,000 m2/month.
January 1978
Begins sales of AMARA, a luxurious synthetic leather for clothing (suede type).
April 1980
Begins sales of SOFRINA, a luxurious synthetic leather for clothing (skin type); 50,000 m2/month.
April 1983
Begins sales of SOFRINA SHALL, a luxurious madmade leather for clothing (nubuck type); 100,000 m2/month.
April 1985
Increases production capacity at the Okayama Plant to 750,000 m2/month
September 1990
Increases production capacity at the Okayama Plant to 830,000 m2/month (10 million m2/year)
September 1997
Increases production capacity at the Okayama Plant to 1.05 million m2/month (12.6 million m2/year)
September 1999
Increases production capacity at the Okayama Plant to 1.3 million m2/month (15.5 million m2/year)
October 2001
Begins sales of PARCASSIO, a luxurious tanned synthetic leather with silver |
