Kuraray was established in 1926 in Kurashiki City with the objective of commercializing rayon. Following WWII, the Company commercialized synthetic fiber, which was invented in Japan, and developed a series of unique businesses, including the man-made leather CLARINO, developed as a substitute for natural leather, polyester textiles, non-woven fabrics KURAFLEX, and the hook-and-loop fastener MAGIC TAPE. In the chemicals and functional materials fields, the Company's products include PVA resin, with its water soluble and adhesive properties, the efficient gas barrier material EVAL, the world's only synthetic isoprene chemical products, methacrylic resin, which has special optical properties, and medical products such as dental materials. The Company is also working to pioneer new business domains and expand its operations.