Kuraray Europe celebrates its 20th birthday

Date: 23 February 2022
Source: kuraray.eu
Dr. Matthias Gutweiler
Photo source
kuraray.eu

Date: 23 February 2022

Kuraray Europe GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese Kuraray Group, is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary.

As a global speciality chemicals company, Kuraray supplies innovative and unique products that address the world’s challenges and help to improve the quality of life. Kuraray Europe GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese Kuraray Group, is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. We invite you to celebrate with us – Dr. Matthias Gutweiler, Managing Director of Kuraray Europe, who has been with the company from the beginning, highlights the reasons for our success.

20 years of Kuraray Europe: what a great success story. What is it built on?

When the Kuraray Group bought the PVA/PVB business from Clariant in 2001, it was its first acquisition outside Japan. Back then, Kuraray demonstrated stamina and determination in its bid to win against the other prospective buyers. Never give up is part of our corporate DNA. The acquisition paved the way for 20 years of rapid growth and development in Europe. It was the first step in the integration of more and more new areas that are a good fit with our business in Europe, with healthy self-confidence and a sound basis of trust within the company (thanks to GrowingTogether and other processes). We have built up stable customer relationships and a broad product portfolio. So we are well-positioned for the future.

The future! What is your vision for Kuraray in Europe?

We have reached the next stage in our development. Now we have to consolidate our European business and define what makes Kuraray Europe what it is. The key topics as we move forward will be innovation, digitalization and sustainability. We want to achieve this transition together and help our customers meet their own goals, for example, their sustainability targets. Our common identity is important for that. We are One Kuraray in Europe. After all, we compete with giants. Therefore, our customers need to see us as a producer that meets its promise of unique products. 

So how can we make that vision come true?

Our customers want solutions that meet their needs. Our businesses and subsidiaries already have answers. Now we need to pool that knowledge and support our customers as One Kuraray – that will give us enormous potential to leverage future growth. Yes, there are challenges ahead and we can only address them if we work together, across sites and organizational units. Digitalization and sustainability are two examples. If we stay open-minded and interested in finding solutions and patiently follow the path we have mapped out, we will be able to celebrate more anniversaries in the future.

20 years of kuraray in europe map of europe

20 years of kuraray in europe success story

MORE INFORMATION

600450 Kuraray Europe celebrates its 20th birthday glassonweb.com

Others also read

In a unique collaboration between Global Glass Group (GGG) and HK Leadus Innovation Ltd, the world's first circular vacuum glass production facility will be opened in the Netherlands.
GlassKote FGI secures AUD 1.2B to build two next-generation low-iron float glass plants, setting new global standards for innovation and sustainability.
Building on a legacy of excellence in glass science and engineering, a new Center for Glass Research was recently launched at Penn State.
First-of-its-Kind 95k sqm Overseas Factory to Create 400 Jobs
From 24 to 27 March 2026, the world's leading trade fair will once again open its doors at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg.
Curious to see how the RCN’s full automatic laminating machine works? Watch out for the new video of LIA – laminating integrated automation.

Add new comment

From industry

Ottergemsesteenweg 707-Zuid
9000 Ghent
Belgium

İçmeler Mah. D-100 Karayolu Cad. No:44A,
34947 Tuzla,/İstanbul
Turkey

52 Corniche El-Nil, AL-SHARIFAIN Tower 10th Floor,
Maadi,
Cairo Governorate
11728
Egypt

Pol. Ind. Penapurreira Parcela C4-B,
15320 As Pontes de García Rodríguez A Coruña
Spain

Polígono Industrial El Bayo, parcela I, 19
24492 Cubillos del Sil León
Spain