Shin-Etsu reports disruption due to earthquake in Japan

Tokyo – Chemicals maker Shin-Etsu has reported operational disruption due to the earthquake that hit Japan's Noto peninsula on New Year’s day.

At the ‘Naoetsu factory’, which produces silicones as well as other chemical products, Shin-Etsu said equipment automatically stopped after detecting the 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, Shin-Etsu added that there had been no casualties at its factories in the Hokuriku region, and no major damage was sustained to its equipment.

At the group’s other plant in the region – Takefu factory, which also produces silicones and semiconductor silicons – Shin-Etsu said no major impact was sustained.

In a 4 Jan update, the chemicals supplier said it had resumed operation of some equipment at the Naoetsu facility the day before.

“From now on, we will gradually resume operations with equipment that has been approved,” the company added.