(Reuters) -- Fears that a shortage
of a nylon resin used in auto manufacturing will cut deeply into production
worldwide are easing some, but there is still a danger that output may be
curtailed, according to an industry executive.
The shortage stems from a March 31 blast at a German chemical plant owned by
Evonik Industries AG. The explosion killed two workers and shut production of a
key material used to produce PA-12. Evonik is a leading producer of both P-12
and the material used to produce it, called cyclododecatriene, or CDT.
Two auto suppliers, Eaton Corp and Delphi Automotive , on earnings calls this
week said the shortage of PA-12 has not hit their production and company
executives were optimistic that auto output will not be greatly affected.World
supplies of nylon 12, constrained by a plant explosion, may last for four to six
weeks, a US-based automobile group said.
In response to the potential shortage in PA 12 supply, AIAG facilitated a
critical multi-stakeholder workshop to fast-track the approval process for
replacement materials for use in multi-layer tubing assemblies, metal tubing
and other automotive applications.
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