As so often happens, moms are left to deal with the mess.
An explosion at a Japanese chemical plant this weekend has the spectre of a global diaper shortage.
The plant in the coastal city of Himeji, operated by Nippon Shokubai
Co., is one of the world's largest
producers of acrylic acid, a primary
ingredient used in disposable diapers.
Powerful blasts rocked the facility Saturday, as firefighters were
trying to control a blaze at one of the tanks containing the chemical.
One firefighter died and 34 employees and first responders were injured
in the blast.
Acrylic acid is a key component of superabsorbent polymers or SAP, which
absorb large amounts of liquid. Nippon Shokubai makes roughly 20
percent of the world's SAP and maintains a 10 percent global market
share of acrylic acid. The plant had been ramping up production to meet
increasing global demand, especially from China, according to Japanese
media reports.
Prior to the accident, the plant in the Hyogo Prefecture manufactured
460,000 tons of acrylic acid annually, supplying clients like Procter
and Gamble, which relied on Nippon Shokubai for products it sold in
Asia.
Roughly 4 million tons of acrylic acid are produced in the world, with
the largest manufacturers in Germany and the U.S., according to Nippon
Shokubai spokesman Akira Kurusu.
Kurusu said the company had already reached out to other producers to
make sure their clients' needs are met, but said he could not comment on
whether the plant closure in Japan would affect global costs and
supply.
