… Showa Denko to Resume Operations in Tohoku and Kanto Regions …

We at Showa Denko K.K. (SDK) wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to all people affected by the Tohoku – Pacific Ocean Earthquake of March 11.

Due to the resultant shortage of electricity and the need of inspection of facilities after emergency shutdown, SDK basically suspended operations at its sites in the Tohoku and Kanto regions for the three days from March 14 through 16.

As safety of the facilities has been confirmed, SDK is to resume production today, centering on basic chemicals necessary for the supply of drinking water, food, medicine and electricity. In resuming production, we will give priority to items urgently needed by society.

As an independent power producer (IPP), SDK has restarted its plant soon after the earthquake, supplying electricity to the electric power company concerned.

Our production volumes will be limited for the time being, due to limited supply of electricity, raw materials and fuels.  Furthermore, the confusion of road networks and the shortage of fuel for trucks are disrupting logistics. Thus, SDK will discuss shipment schedules with individual customers.

SDK basically suspended operations
at the following sites from March 14 through 16:

• Kitakata Regional Office (Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture)
• Higashinagahara Plant (Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture)
• Oyama Regional Office (Oyama City and Ohtawara City, Tochigi Prefecture)
• Isesaki Plant (Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture)
• Chichibu Regional Office (Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture)
• Chiba Regional Office (Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture)
• Kawasaki Plant (Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
• Yokohama Plant (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)