Explosion and Fire at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works (#8)
May 29, 2012
Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
Mitsui Chemicals extends heartfelt sympathy to the family of the deceased and sincerest apologies to the injured and those suffering damages to homes and property, local community residents, persons from nearby companies, the authorities, our customers, and all stakeholders affected by the tragic explosion and fire at the Mitsui Chemicals Iwakuni-Ohtake Works on April 22 (2:15am).
The Company updates information issued in its May 22nd news release "Explosion and Fire at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works (#7) as follows.
1. Condition of Works
Ohtake area
Operations have resumed at the Arlen plant in the Ohtake area.
Routine operations are in effect at the Pellicle, Gas Pipe, Arlen, one Catalyst, and some utility plants.
Iwakuni area (location of plant accident)
The Company continues to fully cooperate with the official investigation. With permission from the authorities, the Company continues to undertake activities in preparation for restoration.
Partial operation of the Works infrastructure utility supply systems have resumed. Full-scale clearing out of residual liquid in the plants is underway. Upon completion of removal of residual liquid, safety inspections and regular maintenance (usually undertaken from mid May to late June) are scheduled to commence. Operations will resume when approval from authorities has been obtained and safety and conditions at the plants have been confirmed.
For products/brands of the Iwakuni area and Ohtake area, please refer to the attachment.
2. Effect on product supplies
For some products in storage at the Works and which have been confirmed to be undamaged, shipments have commenced with permission of the investigation authorities. Shipment of other products will commence when preparations have been completed.
As conditions for products and brands differ, customers will be routinely advised as by the applicable business segment.
[Appendix] List of abbreviations
＊Iwakuni：Yamaguchi Prefecture Ohtake：Hiroshima Prefecture
| Products | Usage | Plant Location | Plant Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resorcinol | adhesive agent for wood and tire | Iwakuni | RS |
| Acetone (By-product of resorcinol) |
solvent、methyl isobutyl ketone raw material | Iwakuni | |
| Cymene | solvent、meta/para-cresol raw material | Iwakuni | CY |
| Meta/Para-cresol | vanish for wire enamel, laminate for PCB | Iwakuni | MPCR |
| Hydroquinone | polymerization retardant, anti-degradation agent for rubber | Iwakuni | HQ |
| Purified terephthalic acid | polyester fiber, polyester film, PET resin | Iwakuni | 3GT |
| PET Resin (polyethylene-terephthalate) |
PET bottle raw material | Iwakuni | 1PET 2PET |
| LUCANT™ (hydrocarbon-basedsynthetic oil) |
additives for lubricants | Iwakuni | LC 2LC |
| TPX™ (methylpentenecopolymer) |
mold releasing film、plastic wrap | Iwakuni | TPX |
| HI-ZEX MILLION™ (ultrahigh molecularweight polyethylene) |
battery separators, high-strength fiber | Iwakuni | HM 2HM |
| Hi-WAX™ EXCEREX™ |
pigment dispersant、processing aid | Iwakuni | WAX NWAX |
| FTR™ | hot-melt adhesives, tackifiers | Iwakuni | PR |
| (Plant fire extinguishing material) | - | Iwakuni | AFR |
| (Plant utility) | - | Iwakuni | boiler |
| Catalyst | catalyst | Ohtake | 1PZ 2PZ MC |
| MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) |
solvent of paints, ink | Ohtake | BK |
| ARLEN™ (modified polyamide 6T) |
electronic/ electric parts, automotive parts | Ohtake | AL |
| Mitsui MP (pellicles) | dust proof membrane applied on photomask during lithography process | Ohtake | pellicles |
| Milason | packaging material | Ohtake | MDP |
| Himilan Nucrel |
packaging films, golf ball covering | Ohtake | |
| Gas pipes | gas pipes | Ohtake | MIP |
| (Tank yard) | - | Ohtake | OTY |
| (Plant utility) | - | Ohtake | 1MO 2MO H |
