Explosion and Fire at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works (#7)
May 22, 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 10th news release "Explosion and Fire at Iwakuni-Ohtake Works (#6) as follows.
1. Report on damage (off premises)
Community buildings/homes: 999 (previous report 992)
Other damages are as reported earlier.
The Company continues to respond to needs of persons affected by this accident and undertake necessary repair work.
2. Condition of Works
a) 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 clear out debris and dismantle machinery unnecessary to the investigation in preparation for restoration activities.
i. Plants factoring in the accident (resorcinol and cymene)
Although investigations by the authorities are currently underway, as safety measures, the Company is clearing out residual liquid in the plant.
ii. Plant not factoring in the accident
Current priority is on restoring utility supply systems of the Works infrastructure and clearing out residual liquid in the plants. Additionally, preparations for scheduled safety inspections and regular maintenance (usually undertaken from mid May to late June) are underway. Operations will resume, with permission from authorities, following confirmation of safety and conditions at the plants.
b) Ohtake area
Operations have resumed at one Catalyst plant in the Ohtake area. Preparations to resume operations at the Arlen plant are underway and tentatively scheduled for commencement on May 28. Operations at other plants will commence as restoration progresses.
Currently, routine operations at Pellicle, Gas Pipe, one Catalyst, and some utility plants of the Ohtake area are in effect.
For products/brands of the Iwakuni area and Ohtake area, please refer to the attachment.
3. 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 |
