If you need diapers, better stock up now . . .

. . . because they may be in short supply for a while.  The Telegraph reports:

The world could face a shortage of disposable nappies [diapers] after an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Japan responsible for as much as one fifth of the global market.

. . .

Nippon Shokubai controls the largest share of the world market for super-absorbent polymers, which is used in the production of nappies, and has been expanding its international sales network to keep up with demand.

According to the company, demand is so high that its production facilities have been required to operate at full capacity and it has announced plans to set up production facilities overseas. The company was particularly keen to meet growing demand for disposable nappies in China.

The water-absorbing polymers soak up an infant’s waste through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. Generally, nappies that utilise the technology are able to absorb 50 times their own weight of liquid. If the operation of the factory is suspended for a long time, it could affect production.

There’s more at the link.

According to the article, “The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 16 billion disposable nappies are used every year in the US”.  If that factory was responsible for “one fifth” of world production, will that mean a lot less dumping – in landfills, at least?  I suppose it all Depends . . .

Peter