{"id":68,"date":"2021-03-05T15:58:16","date_gmt":"2021-03-05T20:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/history\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T21:14:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T01:14:55","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.elastomer.kuraray.com\/us\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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History<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Author<\/p>

Robin Conrad<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The history of Kuraray\u2019s Elastomer division started in 1972 with the production of polyisoprene rubber in the Kashima plant. From the first production line, the Elastomer Division continuously grew and invented new products such as SEPTON\u2122<\/strong><\/a>, HYBRAR\u2122<\/strong><\/a>, and KURARITY\u2122.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kuraray strives to develop new and innovative high performance products for customers around the globe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2015<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Launch of SEPTON\u2122 J-series<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Partnered with Amyris to replace petroleum-derived feed-stocks in the production of high-performing polymers for use in tires, adhesives, sealants, and other compounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2011<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Start of KURARITY\u2122 (acrylic thermoplastic elastomer) production at the Niigata Plant, Japan<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2004<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Opening of the Kuraray Research & Technical Center (KRTC) in Pasadena, Texas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2003<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Launch of SEPTON\u2122 Q-series<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilot plant for KURARITY\u2122 established<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2002<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SEPTON Company of America in Pasadena (from 2008: Kuraray America Inc.) commenced SEPTON\u2122<\/a> manufacturing with a capacity of 12,000 metric tons per year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2001<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Launch of SEPTON\u2122 V-series<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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1992<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Commercialization of HYBRAR\u2122<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1990<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Commercialization of thermoplastic elastomer SEPTON\u2122<\/a> (Kashima)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1974<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Developed new rubber materials based on Isoprene chemistry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1972<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Start of production of polyisoprene rubber at the Kashima Plant<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Contact<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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