Following the Japanese earthquake, Toray Fine Chemicals Co Ltd, Japan, has announced "Force Majeure" for polysulphide polymer. Operations have ceased at its Chiba facility, north of Tokyo, as a result of disruption to the supply chain of key raw material suppliers whose plant was seriously damaged and, due to the heavy damage to the power supply and unstable power supply situation. It is not possible to predict when the situation will normalise, but there will be supply disruption to Europe for an unforeseeable period after current shipments on the water have arrived. Toray supplies around 30% of polysulphide polymer used in Western europe. With other suppliers operating close to capacity, polysulphide sealant supplies could be restricted during the busy mid-summer period and there are indications of significant price rises in the pipeline from the other polymer suppliers. The primary PIB-based sealants used in insulated glass production are also in tight supply following disruption of Japanese production.
