Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President Masaaki Ito, “Kuraray”), PTT Global Chemical Public Company Ltd. (“PTTGC”) and Sumitomo Corporation (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Kuniharu Nakamura, “Sumitomo”) signed a Head of Agreement （”HOA”) to jointly perform Feasibility Study (“F/S”) for potential development of manufacturing and sales of Butadiene derivatives in Thailand on September 13, 2016.

After the successful completion of a prelim joint feasibility study for potential development of Butadiene derivatives in Thailand based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Kuraray, PTTGC and Sumitomo in September 2015, three partners decided to move forward the project to the early phase of engineering study to perform Front End Engineering Design by signing HOA. The Final Investment Decision (“FID”) shall be made in end of 2017. Equity proportion and other details are being under consideration.

The F/S will be targeted to start operation of 13KTA High Heat Resistant Polyamide-9T (PA9T) and 16KTA Hydrogenated Styrenic Block Copolymers (HSBC) in Hemaraj Eastern Industrial Estate (Map Ta Phut Complex), Rayong in Thailand in late 2020. Butadiene as a key raw material will be supplied by PTTGC in the industrial area.

In addition Kuraray will solely conduct the F/S of 5KTA 3-Methyl-1,5-Pentanediol (MPD) which is one of Kuraray’s Isobutene derivatives in same site of plants of Butadiene derivative. The FID will be made in end of 2017 and the start operation will be targeted in late 2020. Isobutene as a key raw material will be supplied by PTTGC in the industrial area.

Kuraray will pursue the global business expansion for Butadiene and Isobutene derivatives in combination with the competitive supply of raw material and utilities from PTTGC and PTT group, and Sumitomo’s global trade network, and Kuraray’s capability and know-how of the production technology and sales & marketing.

Photo Cutline: Signing Ceremony (from left: Masahiro Fujita (Senior Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo); Masaaki Ito (President, Kuraray); Supattanapong Punmeechaow (President & CEO, PTTGC)

About Kuraray
Founded in 1926, Japan-based Kuraray is a world leader in performance-based polymer and synthetic chemistry technologies, including resins, chemical, fibers and textiles. It was the first entity in the world to bring polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) synthetic fiber to market. The company operates 19 subsidiaries around the world, including Kuraray America, Inc., which is headquartered in Houston. The U.S. division is focused on becoming an integrated supplier with complete portfolio of coatings and compounds for the food, glass, packaging and oil & gas sectors. For more information, visit www.kuraray.co.jp/en.