Kuraray America, a Japan-based firm that produces chemicals, resins, polymers and materials used in a variety of industries, plans a multi-million dollar investment to expand its production facilities in Harris County, Texas, creating 107 jobs.

As an incentive to expand its The Lone Star State operations, the firm will receive $965,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund. "Texas continues to attract employers from across the country and around the world to create jobs and invest capital in our communities through our low taxes, predictable regulations, fair courts and skilled workforce," Gov. Rick Perry said.

"This TEF investment in Kuraray will provide jobs and continue to expand the economy in the Gulf Coast, building on Texas' robust chemicals industry which is crucial to manufacturing the products that people all over the world depend upon every day," Perry added.

With proprietary technology in polymer and synthetic chemistry, Kuraray Co. Ltd. produces chemicals, resins, fibers, textiles, high-performance materials and medical products, among other materials. The company developed PVA, polyvinyl alcohol resin, which is water soluble and widely used in paper processing, adhesives, fiber-sizing agents, and optical-use poval film, which is a basic component of LCD screens. Through the TEF grant, the company plans to construct a new PVA resin production facility on 81 acres in La Porte, Texas at 13100 Bay Area Boulevard and expand its existing facilities on Choate Road in Pasadena.

"Our Pasadena and La Porte facilities are strategic growing points for Kuraray's core businesses, allowing us to globally take advantage of its superior infrastructures, raw materials and energy supply chain," Kuraray America Inc. president and CEO George Avdey said. "With this grant and the continued support of the community, we will continue to invest in our community, further expanding our production lines and product offering."

"The City of La Porte is fortunate that Kuraray has chosen to expand their facilities in our industrial district, and we are pleased that the TEF investment has helped make it possible," La Porte Mayor Louis Rigby said. "The additional jobs will certainly benefit our economy, and Kuraray's continued investment in our community is great news for everyone who lives and works here."

"I'm pleased that Kuraray America Inc. has decided to expand their operations in Harris County by taking advantage of a Texas Enterprise Fund grant," Sen. Mike Jackson said. "The economic boost from this partnership will far exceed the money invested by the state. This is a shining example of how economic development works, and our community is ready to fill these new positions with qualified workers."