Explosion and Fire at Himeji Plant (#15)

NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD [Tokyo Stock Exchange – TOKSE: 4114.T] (“NIPPON SHOKUBAI”) is deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from the accident at the Himeji Plant on September 29, 2012 and extends its sincere condolences to family members. NIPPON SHOKUBAI extends its sincere apologies to the individuals who were injured by this accident and to the enormous problems this incident caused for the neighborhood of the plant and to other people associated with this incident.

NIPPON SHOKUBAI had received an order to suspend operation of the facilities of hazardous substances in the plant since the day of the accident. After that NIPPON SHOKUBAI several time received lift of restrictions and restarted some facilities in order. Today, NIPPON SHOKUBAI received another lift of restrictions for some part of facilities in the plant as mentioned below;


Today, NIPPON SHOKUBAI received another lift of restrictions for total 13 facilities including a production facility, common facilities and outdoor tanks, as public safety for these was confirmed.

With this rift of restrictions NIPPON SHOKUBAI is able to restart one of the acrylic acid production facilities which is different from the damaged facilities, and some production facilities for acrylic acid derivatives, such as superabsorbent polymers and water-soluble polymers. Confirming sufficient safety of the facilities and operation management, NIPPON SHOKUBAI proceeds to re-start the operation.

At this time, the following products’ production facilities are in operation;

Functional Chemicals
– Polymer for concrete admixture (AQUALOC)
– Maleic anhydride
– Fumaric acid
– Succinic acid
– Disodium succinate (SS50)
– N-phenylmaleimide (IMILEX-P)
– Maleimide-copolymer (POLYIMILEX)
– Benzonitrile
– Benzoguanamine
– Oxazoline-functional polymer (EPOCROS)
– Acrylic resins for paints and adhesives produced by Nippon Polymer Industries Co., Ltd., next to the NIPPON SHOKUBAI Himeji Plant
– Acrylic resins for optical materials (ACRYVIEWA)
– Resist polymers for color filter (ACRYCURE)
– Spherical fine particles (EPOSTAR)
– Silica particles (SEAHOSTAR)
– Particles for antireflection film (SOLIOSTAR RA)
– VEEA (UV/EB curable materials)
– AME (paint & rubber materials)

Environment & Catalysts
– Automotive catalysts
– De-NOx catalysts
– Dioxins decomposition catalysts
– Catalysts for catalytic wet oxidation wastewater treatment
– Process catalysts


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