“I establish new processes and ideas”: Kuraray

Kuraray Europe GmbH Career We are Kuraray People at Kuraray Beatriz Blas Molinos

A female employee leans over a wooden box and inspects documents.

Beatriz, what exactly do you do at Kuraray?

I work as a process development engineer. My role is introducing and improving processes. For example, when we develop a new film product for laminated safety glass, I’m responsible for the process until it can be transferred to the production department. I optimize procedures – on the machinery and technology as well as the related workflows. That includes all aspects of coordination with the supply chain, manufacturing and quality management teams, project management and collaboration with my colleagues in R&D. I’m also responsible for communicating with the various departments involved in the process.

At present, I’m working on a major project that has reached the commercialization phase. It involves a completely new product that we’ve developed in the past two years. Now we’ve got to the launch stage – that’s a really exciting moment! Supporting the entire process from the initial idea to the final product, optimizing the workflows and making sure everything is ready for market introduction has been a really special experience.

Why did you choose Kuraray?

I have a doctorate in chemical engineering and worked as a process engineer in production for several years. Then I started looking for a new challenge. I’d heard and read a lot of good things about Kuraray, for example, flexible working hours, mobile working and the great team spirit. Three-and-a-half years ago there was a vacancy in Process Development that I found interesting. I applied – and got the job.

A female employee enters the lab in a protective suit.

A female employee in protective clothing holds documents in her hands.

In your daily work, how do you notice that what you do makes a difference?

I notice the difference particularly when I see that a project I’ve worked on from the initial idea to the final product has been successfully implemented by the customer. I enjoy supporting a process from the very beginning, optimizing it and ultimately seeing a marketable product. Here we work together very well on an equal footing, take everyone’s opinion on board and therefore get very good results. In addition to my job, I’m involved in other initiatives such as the BetterTogether network for women, where we share information, report on our experiences and provide mutual support. That shows that Kuraray actively supports change and motivates me to keep going.