Explosion and Fire at Himeji Plant

NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD [Tokyo Stock Exchange – TOKSE:4114.T] (“NIPPON SHOKUBAI”) announced that at 14:40 on September 29 an explosion and fire occurred at acrylic acid tank in its Himeji Plant.
As a result of this accident, one person died and several others were injured. NIPPON SHOKUBAI extends heartfelt sympathy and sincerest apologies to all persons and families affected by the accident and to all our stakeholders.

Currently available information as of 22:00 September 29 is as follows;

1. Address and facilities involved in the accident
Acrylic acid-tank, NIPPON SHOKUBAI Himeji Plant
992-1 Aza-Nishioki, Okihama, Aboshi-ku, Himeji, Hyogo 671-1282 , JAPAN

2. Time and date of the accident
14:40 September 29, 2012
22:00 under fire fighting

3. Time line
under investigation

4. Casualties/Injured
The dead: 1 person (firefighter of the Aboshi fire station)
The injured: under investigation

5. Damage to facilities
under investigation

6. Causes/Preventive measures
Causes of the accident are under investigation by authorities. NIPPON SHOKUBAI formed task forces and does its best to investigate causes of the accident.
NIPPON SHOKUBAI will apply appropriate preventive measures as soon as the causes of the explosion will be clarified.


Contact
Investor & Public Relations Dept.,
NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
TEL: +81-3-3506-7477
E-mail: shokubai@n.shokubai.co.jp