German auto paint maker Merck says that it hopes to resume full production by 1 June at the plant in Onahama, about 45km from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, that it was forced to close after last month’s earthquake and tsunami.
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Ford, Toyota and GM, among other car makers, have all had to stop taking orders for cars in certain colours because the Onahama plant is the world’s only source of a paint containing Xirallic, a pigment that gives a glittering shine.
Workers returned to the factory on Monday to begin repair and construction work with the aim of restarting production in stages before a full recovery from 1 June, Merck’s spokesman in Japan, David Pinsker, said.
Merck said the plant had been closed because some employees suffered damage to their homes and had difficulty commuting because of fuel shortages and not because of radiation fears.
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