Diaper Shortage Possible After Plant Explosion
1 Oct 2012--… An explosion at a Japanese chemical plant this weekend has the spectre of a global diaper shortage.
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.
… 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.
Prior to the accident, the plant in the Hyogo Prefecture manufactured 460,000 tons of acrylic acid annually, supplying clients like Procter and Gamble, which relied on Nippon Shokubai for products it sold in Asia.
ABC News
From Wikipedia: “Acrylic acid is produced from propene which is a byproduct of ethylene and gasoline production.”
Good thing I've been buying cloth diapers for my first grandchild due next month! Uht-oh... plastic pants.... sigh.....
