Kuraray presents fully transparent MOWITAL^® adhesive films that can be laminated at 160 °C

MOWITAL^® PVB thin film from Kuraray optimizes industrial lamination in many sectors and applications 

Hattersheim/Frankfurt am Main, 18 June 2025. Kuraray, the global speciality chemicals company headquartered in Japan, produces transparent adhesive films from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) for a wide range of industrial applications. PVB resins and PVB films from Kuraray are marketed under the brand name MOWITAL^®. Kuraray’s MOWITAL^® adhesive thin films come in three different thicknesses: 50, 100 and 250 µm. These completely transparent films can be processed under pressure at temperatures of up to 160 °C or less, have very high bonding strength and enable thermal separation of laminates in recycling processes. These MOWITAL^® films are ideal for laminating glass, metal, wood, ceramics, polymer fibres, polyurethane foam and many other substrates. Kuraray is exhibiting its portfolio of MOWITAL^® PVB adhesive films at K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany (October 8-15, 2025, Hall 7a, Booth D06). At the Kuraray booth visitors will get first-hand experience of the quality and possibilities offered by laminates produced with MOWITAL^® films. 

1. From safety equipment to lightweight components: MOWITAL^® film 50 µm 

This MOWITAL^® thin film is already being used successfully for laminates for the production of fibre composites, e.g. for safety equipment. This grade is only 50 µm thick and can be processed at a temperature of just 140 °C. Its grammage is 55 g/m². Other applications for the thinnest MOWITAL^® film are lightweight components and adhesive prepegs – 
pre-impregnated semi-finished textiles that are used, for instance, in manufacturing processes in the aviation and aerospace industries. In the automotive industry, MOWITAL® film 50 µm can be used for large-scale adhesion, for example, for plastic and metal in automotive interiors. Additional applications include especially lightweight, multilayer laminated spectacle frames. In addition, this MOWITAL® thin film is currently being tested for applications involving the adhesion of various transparent layers for displays.

2. From laminated textiles to automotive components: MOWITAL^® film 100 µm 

Although MOWITAL^® film 100 µm is slightly less flexible than the thinner grade, it has higher tensile strength. Consequently, this grade is particularly suitable for applications such as laminating leather for handbags and shoes. Furthermore, this medium thickness MOWITAL^® film is often used for safety equipment made from laminated fibre composites. Manufacturers of displays are currently testing MOWITAL^® film 100 µm for the lamination of displays. Last but not least, there is a highly interesting scenario for the use of the 100 µm grade in automotive engineering. OEMs and suppliers are testing the benefits of this PVB film from Kuraray in the recycling of laminated components. In principle, thermal processes can be used to separate laminates produced with MOWITAL^® adhesive film. Following cleaning with alcohol, it may be possible to re-use the materials from laminates with MOWITAL^® film 100 µm. The grammage of this 100 µm PVB film is 110 g/m².

3. Carbon and fibreglass laminates for large rotor blades: MOWITAL^® film 250 µm 

MOWITAL^® film 250 µm offers the highest stiffness and best mechanical properties of these three grades. Its grammage is 275 g/m². This 250 µm transparent MOWITAL® film is already used successfully for multilayer laminates for windows. Manufacturers in the wind power sector have shown great interest in this grade of PVB adhesive film. In this sector, MOWITAL^® film could be used in the lamination of various fibreglass and carbon fibre layers with very high stiffness for the manufacture of large rotor blades for wind turbines. Even the thickest of the three PVB film grades can be processed at a temperature of just 160 °C.

ISCC PLUS certification: sustainability thanks to certified raw materials

MOWITAL^® adhesive films make a contribution to sustainability: as well as being suitable for lightweight structures and applications in the wind power sector, certified raw materials are used in their production. The entire portfolio is certified as complying with the voluntary ISCC PLUS standard. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) confirms the use of sustainable, bio-based and/or circular raw materials. Traceability is ensured using the mass balance approach to record the proportions of sustainable and fossil raw materials.

Kuraray has obtained ISCC PLUS certification for its production processes at several sites in Europe and the USA. Certification enables the manufacture of MOWITAL^® products – including adhesive films – with certified, sustainable raw materials.

Adhesive properties of MOWITAL^® PVB films thanks to free OH groups 

The polarity of polyvinyl butyral is responsible for its good adhesion to a range of other materials. This is attributable to the free OH groups – both on the surface and in the polymer. MOWITAL^® adhesive films made from PVB are non-toxic and have an almost unlimited shelf life. All three grades of MOWITAL^® adhesive film are delivered on rolls making them suitable for roll-to-roll industrial lamination processes.

Make an appointment with Kuraray at K 2025

You can pre-book your personal appointment with Kuraray experts at K 2025 via https://go.kuraray.com/K2025. 

About Kuraray

Established in 1991, Kuraray Europe GmbH is based in Hattersheim, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany. In 2023 the company generated annual sales of EUR 1.1 billion. 

It has more than 850 employees in Germany at its sites in Hattersheim, Frankfurt and Troisdorf. Kuraray is a global specialty chemicals company and one of the largest suppliers of industrial polymers and synthetic microfibers for many sectors of industry. Examples are Kuraray Poval™, Mowital®, Trosifol® and Clearfil™. Kuraray Europe also has around 209 employees at seven other European sites. They are also working on the development and application of innovative high-performance materials for a wide range of sectors, including the automotive, paper, glass and packaging industries, as well as for architects and dentists. 

Kuraray Europe is a wholly owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Kuraray Group, which is based in Tokyo, Japan, and has more than 11,900 employees worldwide and sales of EUR 4.7 billion.

This press release including images is available at: https://www.kuraray.eu 

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