Flint Group sees tightening of raw material supply

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, according to Flint Group.

The March explosion spread to adjacent facilities, causing nearly 80 deaths, injuring hundreds of people and forcing evacuations of nearby areas. The Chinese government has forced shutdowns 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.”

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