Denka reports disruptions at Omi plant after Japan quake

Tokyo – Denka Corp.’s operations, in particular its Omi production factory in Itoigawa city, have been impacted by the earthquake that hit Japan's Noto peninsula on New Year’s day.

In an announcement 18 Jan, the Japanese group said “all but a few areas” at the Omi plant were temporarily shut down immediately after the earthquake.

However, equipment inspection and repair works were not carried out in the immediate aftermath of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake.

Since 4 Jan, Denka said, “we have been gradually resuming operations starting with equipment that has been confirmed to be safe.”

The group expects operations at the site to be “back to normal” by the end of the month.

Among other units, Denka's Omi factory features a ‘chloroprene monomer 5MC plant’, where the group manufactures chloroprene rubber.

The unit returned to operation in late December last year, six months after a fatal pipe blast at the plant.

Denka also reported small disruptions at its offices in Gosen following the earthquake.

The Japanese group is currently examining the effect of the quake on its annual results and will announce any ‘significant impact’ in the future.