Explosion and Fire at Himeji Plant (#3)

NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD [Tokyo Stock Exchange – TOKSE:4114.T] (“NIPPON SHOKUBAI”) is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from the explosion and fire at the Himeji Plant on September 29 and extends its sincere condolences to family members. In addition, NIPPON SHOKUBAI extends its sincere apologies to the individuals who were injured by this accident and to the enormous problems this incident caused for people living near the plant and to other people associated with this incident.

Currently available information as of 22:00 September 30 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

3. Time line
September 29
　13:00 Confirmed white mist of acrylic acid-mist
　14:40 Explosion and fire at acrylic acid-tank
　22:52 Fire under control, informed from the local fire and disaster management authority
September 30
　15:30 Fire extinguished

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

*Damage to facilities
under investigation

5. Impact to the outside of Himeji Plant
At this moment there is no report of leakage of hazardous materials.

6. Status of operations
Operations at all facilities in Himeji Plant are suspended at this moment.

7. Impact on product supply
Unknown at this moment

8. 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 accident will be clarified.

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