News

We would like to express our heartfelt sympathies to all of the people who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. We fervently wish for the early recovery of the region affected.
With regard to the Shin-Etsu Group’s production sites that were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, the latest update on the current situation at these plants is as follows:

Shin-Etsu Chemical’s Kashima Plant

From April 28th, the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plant restarted part of its operations for Specialty PVC using the inventory of raw materials that we had on hand from prior to the earthquake. On May 20, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation restarted the production and supply of ethylene. Accordingly, Kashima Vinyl Chloride Monomer Co., Ltd. restarted the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Because we were able to confirm the safety and stability of production, from May 31, we restarted full-scale operations at Shin-Etsu Chemical’s Kashima PVC plant.
With regard to the Kashima optical fiber preform plant, we started partial operations from April 18th, and going forward, we will gradually restart the equipment that has been stopped. At present, we are aiming for full-scale operations to start in late June.

Shin-Etsu Handotai’s Shirakawa Plant

From April 20th, the Shirakawa Plant restarted partial operations, and since then it has been gradually increasing its operations in stages. We are carrying out the restoration work with the aim of returning the production capacity at the plant to the level prior to the disastrous earthquake by end of June to July of this year. 
With regard to our outlook for the resumption of operations, as explained above, it is based on assumptions made as of this time, and thus please bear in mind that there is a possibility of a change depending on circumstances.

Moreover, with regard to the problem of the shortage of electricity expected during peak power consumption in the summer this year in the regional areas served by the Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Tohoku Electric Power Company, we will make company-wide efforts to reduce the consumption of electric power by utilizing the technologies and expertise we possess. Furthermore, we will cope with the power-usage situation by increasing the rate of utilization of our private power-generation facilities that are located at our Naoetsu Plant and Gunma Complex.
We will continue to do our utmost for early recovery, while always putting our first priority on safety. We will announce updated information when any changes occur regarding the situation of our plants.