Global Tightening of Raw Material Supply for Publication and UV Inks
April 11, 2019
A recent and deadly explosion at Jiangsu
Tianjiayi Chemical in China is severely impacting the global raw material
supply chain, including materials used in publication and UV printing inks.
The March explosion spread to adjacent facilities, causing nearly 80 deaths,
injuring hundreds of people and forcing thousands of evacuations of nearby
areas. The Chinese government has forced shut-downs at the industrial park, as
well as others nearby, to allow for investigations and safety inspections.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of those hurt or killed,” says Michael
Podd, Chief Procurement Officer of Flint Group’s CPS Inks business.
According to Arno de Groot, Vice President Procurement for Flint Group
Packaging, “thousands of factories have already been shut down. Government
investigations and safety inspections will impact the total chemical industry
in China and will not be limited to the province where the catastrophic
accident happened.”