Toray provides capacity updates post-earthquake, says it is resuming PP film production at Ibaraki facility, returning to regular ABS production at Chiba plant, restarting part of Toray Advanced Film operations in Fukushima by end-March

Lorena Madrigal

Lorena Madrigal

TOKYO , March 25, 2011 (press release) – Toray Industries, Inc. (headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and COO: Akihiro Nikkaku; hereinafter referred to as "Toray") today announced an update on the impact of the earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku that struck on March 11 , 2011 on the Toray Group and the future outlook of its operations.

1. Measures being taken by Toray Group

A group-wide task force is leading the implementation of recovery measures aimed at the full-scale resumption of operations and disaster-relief assistance, by factoring in the impact of the rolling blackouts being implemented in the areas under the management of Tokyo Electric Power Company and Tohoku Electric Power Company.
(1) Toray Chiba Plant (Ichihara-shi, Chiba Prefecture), which restarted production of ABS resins on March 15 and was operating at a minimal level, has more or less returned to regular operations since March 24.
On March 23, Tsuchiura Plant (Tsuchiura-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture) resumed production of polypropylene film in a phased manner.
(2) There are some 10 plants*1 of eight major Toray affiliates located within the affected region and some of them have resumed production since March 14 followed by other facilities. Toray Advanced Film Co., Ltd. (Kagamiishi-machi, Fukushima Prefecture) plans to restart some of its operations by the end of March. Toray Tonen Specialty Separator Godo Kaisha (Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi Prefecture) also expects to start production in a phased manner after March 28 after ascertaining the power supply situation.
Toray ACE Co., Ltd., located in Ono-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, has been pushing ahead with recovery efforts while paying close attention to measures being carried out at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

*1 Toray Advanced Film Co., Ltd. (Kagamiishi-machi, Fukushima Prefecture), Soda Aromatic Co., Ltd. (Koriyama-shi, Fukushima Prefecture, Noda-shi, Chiba Prefecture), Toray Tonen Specialty Separator Godo Kaisha (Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi Prefecture), Toyo Plastic Seiko Co., Ltd. (Koriyama-shi, Fukushima Prefecture, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama Prefecture), Toray ACE Co., Ltd. (Ono-machi, Fukushima Prefecture), Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
(Ichihara-shi, Chiba Prefecture), Toray Textiles Inc. (Kiryu-shi, Gunma Prefecture), Toray Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Ichihara-shi, Chiba Prefecture)

2. Impact on raw material procurement

While there have been some impact on procurement of certain raw materials and parts, Toray Group has secured enough volume of main raw materials for the time being by switching suppliers and exploiting the strength of the global operations of Toray Group companies.

3. Impact on product supply

The priority given to transportation of relief goods to the affected areas and the disruption in distribution caused primarily by fuel shortage has been inconveniencing the customers in Kanto and Tohoku regions. Regular shipment to Kanto region, which have been using emergency transportation measures except for some of the affected areas, will resume on March 28. Products to the Tohoku region, except for certain affected areas, will continue to be shipped primarily in cases of emergency for the time being.

4. Status of reconstruction assistance by Toray Group

Toray Group’s aid to the affected areas is as follows:

(1) Goods delivered (announced on March 14)

Item Quantity Sent to
Insulated bedding*2 13,500 m Fukushima-shi, Fukushima Pref.; through Shiga Pref.
Heat-retaining innerwear
(for men, women, children)
30,000 Self Defense Forces, through Disaster Prevention and Countermeasures Headquarters, Osaka Pref., entities receiving aid from Japan Platform.
Antibacterial acrylic blankets 3,450 Self Defense Forces, through Disaster Prevention and Countermeasures Headquarters, Osaka Pref.
Emergency small water purifiers*3 5 Miyako-shi, Iwate Pref. Yokote-shi, Akita Pref. Higashine-shi, Yamagata Pref., etc.

*2 Toray Group plans to provide additional 39,900 m of insulated bedding.
*3 Toray Group plans to provide one more water purifier.

(2) Additional goods

Item Quantity To be sent to
Carpet 324 Japan Carpet Manufacturers Association
Masks 10,000 Asia-Pacific Child Relief Center
Sleeping bags 1,000 To be decided
Tear-resistant gloves 10,000 pairs To be decided
Medical gloves 40,000 pairs To be decided
Medical-use stockings that enhance blood circulation 4,000 To be decided
Cold medications for cats 100 Japan Veterinary Medical Association

(3) Donations (to Red Cross societies in Japan and other countries, Japanese chamber of commerce and industry, etc.)

Toray Group Total Approx. 140 million yen*4
Toray Industries, Inc.
  Chori Co., Ltd.
  Toray International, Inc.
  Toray Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
  Toray Enterprise Corporation
  Marusa Co., Ltd.
  Group companies in Republic of Korea
  Group companies in the U.S.
  Group companies in Europe
  Other overseas (China, ASEAN countries, Taiwan, etc.) and Japanese companies
60 million yen *5
20 million yen  
10 million yen  
2 million yen  
2 million yen  
2 million yen  
14 million yen  
Approx. 10 million yen  
Approx. 10 million yen  
Approx. 10 million yen  

*4 The total includes contributions from individual employees.
*5 Following the March 14 decision to contribute 50 million yen, Toray decided to cancel the 85th anniversary celebrations scheduled for this year and donate the 10 million yen originally earmarked for the event.

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