Gunze Limited announced that Gunze has decided to invest in the construction of the third medical plant and to expand its R&D laboratory in Ayabe, Kyoto, where Gunze was founded. Targeted to complete in February 2025, the new plant aims to increase production of "TENALEAF", an absorbable adhesive barrier sheet used in surgery, for which demand is growing, and to secure the efficient production system. The investment will accelerate the growth of the medical business.

The first Ayabe Medical Plant began operations in 1998. As the business grew, the second plant was established in 2016. The expansion of the first plant is underway and will be completed in March 2025.

The investment in medical facilities has reached JPY 3.5 billion. The main purposes of expanding the medical R&D facility are to strengthen the development capabilities of next-generation products and efficient mass production and to make the working environment more efficient, comfortable, and creative by setting up an open office for technical personnels where they can interact with others more freely and closely. The new third plant will achieve an environmental performance rating of B+ or higher under the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) certification as striving to reduce CO2 emissions through the use of high-efficiency air conditioning and solar power generation.