The company has re started production at the Japanese site for effect pigments, ahead of schedule. Additionally, Merck plans a second production line to be commissioned in Germany before year-end.
DARMSTADT, GERMANY/TOKYO, JAPAN: Merck KGaA has resumed normal operations at the Onahama production site in Japan on May 8. Among other products, the Onahama site manufactures Xirallic effect pigments, which are widely used in high-quality automotive coatings.
The damage to the production units and infrastructure caused by the catastrophic earthquake in Japan on March 11 resulted in the stoppage of pigment production in Onahama. The recovery and repair work, which began on April 4, has been completed ahead of schedule. Merck expects the plant will achieve its regular production output in June. Merck is also testing products being shipped from Merck Japan to ensure that they comply fully with all regulations and safety standards.
Apart from Onahama, Merck will establish an alternative production site for Xirallic effect pigments. It is planned to have additional capacity for Xirallic pigments in Germany by the end of 2011. This will considerably boost future supply reliability of Xirallic products as of 2012.
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