KURALON™: Kuraray

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KURALON™ – the high-performance PVOH fibre

KURALON™ is a high‑strength polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibre engineered for demanding industrial applications requiring durability, chemical resistance, and excellent bonding properties. Developed as Japan’s first synthetic fibre, KURALON™ has evolved over more than 60 years and is now widely used in construction materials, rubber reinforcement, technical papers, filtration media, battery components, and aquaculture systems.

Its hydrophilic surface, high modulus, and outstanding alkali resistance provide performance advantages not achievable with conventional fibres such as polyester, nylon, or polypropylene.

Cementitious Reinforcement Fibres

KURALON™ PVA fibres are a leading solution for reinforcing cement, mortar, and concrete. Originally developed as a safe alternative to asbestos, these fibres deliver excellent mechanical performance, crack control, and long‑term durability in alkaline cement environments. Modern, heavy‑denier grades extend their use into structural mortar reinforcement and engineered concrete systems.

Rubber and Elastomer Reinforcement Fibres

KURALON™ provides outstanding dimensional stability under both mechanical and thermal stress, characterized by low creep, minimal dry‑heat shrinkage, and a high Young’s modulus. These performance attributes make it exceptionally well‑suited for rubber reinforcement. As a result, KURALON™ is widely used in oil brake hoses and industrial hydraulic hoses, where precise pressure transmission, high responsiveness, and long‑term durability are critical.

Functional Paper and Technical Paper Fibres

KURALON™ provides two specialized functional fibre types: subject fibres and binder fibres. The subject fibres serve as the primary structural elements, delivering high mechanical strength in functional papers. The binder fibres activate under wet‑heat conditions, creating strong adhesion to pulp, glass fibres, and other PVA fibres. This improves cohesion while maintaining the porosity required for filtration materials and membranes.

In addition, KURALON™’s exceptional alkali resistance makes it an ideal material for alkaline manganese battery separators, where extremely thin yet mechanically robust papers are required.

Aquaculture and Marine Cultivation Fibres

KURALON™ PVA fibres are widely used in seaweed aquaculture due to their hydrophilicity, which enables superior spore adhesion compared with polyester, polyethylene, and nylon. The strength and durability of seed lines made from KURALON™ twine in marine environments make it a reliable solution for seaweed cultivation, a sector that is increasingly important as a renewable source of food, fertilizers, feedstock, and biomaterials.

Find more information about KURALON K-II™