90 years of Kuraray - a glimpse of the history

Kuraray celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2016. We take the opportunity of this occasion to offer you a glimpse of the history of Kuraray from a new perspective. The name Kuraray represents more than 8,300 employees and an annual turnover of approximately 3.7 billion euros. Kuraray was founded in Kurashiki, Japan, in June 1926, by Magosaburo Ohara. Kuraray began with the domestic production of Rayon, a synthetically produced cellulose fibre referred to as artificial silk, a new and innovative product at the time. 

The name KURARAY is derived from the location: Kurashiki and the product manufactured: Rayon. The development of this branch of production developed very quickly in Japan, with many other major manufacturers establishing themselves during this period. Whereas others recruited their technicians and experts from elsewhere, Kuraray established the Kyoko Research Laboratory, which was managed by the University of Kyoto to generate expertise and support for the development of the required technologies. Ohara also committed himself to cultural and social projects. The building of an art gallery and the financing of an orphanage represent only two of his many projects in Kurashiki. The Ohara Museum of Art was the first private museum of Western art in Japan.

Ohara considered the dreadful conditions in which employees commonly worked and lived at the time to be unacceptable; he was not a profit-driven employer, and attempted to solve such issues. He ensured that decent accommodation, fitness facilities and nursery schools were built to provide young employees, or families who had left their homes to work for Kuraray, with everything they needed for education and a healthy and culturally rich lifestyle.
One of the largest general hospitals in the west of Japan, the Kurashiki Central Hospital, was originally founded by Kuraray to promote the well-being of employees and their families. It is still considered to be one of the most famous hospitals in Japan.

With the production of Kuralon in 1950, developed from the in-house manufactured products PVA and vinyl acetate, Kuraray expanded to become the specialist chemical company it is today. Always intent on making a contribution to the good of society, Kuraray addressed the subject of environmental protection very early on. The visionary Ohara was aware of the seriousness of environmental pollution, and made great efforts to prevent it.

Internationally too, Kuraray has remained aware of its social responsibilities. After the war, a production facility was opened in China which helped to improve the poor post-war living conditions of the Chinese population.
Today, Kuraray is a leading global manufacturer of the specialist chemicals used in many aspects of daily life. Kuraray has always viewed its employees as its most important asset, and continues to do so to this day.

• 2019. gada 1. aug.