Uh-Oh. Diaper Shortage Possible After Plant Explosion - ABC News
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment