Japanese bathroom manufacturer Toto Ltd. has temporarily stopped accepting new orders for certain products in Asia due to material shortages linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.
The suspension, announced on 13 April, affects prefabricated and modular bathroom products distributed in China and Japan. The company confirmed that other global markets remain unaffected at this stage.
© Toto
The disruption stems from reduced availability of naphtha oil, a key raw material used in plastic production. According to the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association, around 40% of Japan's naphtha supply depends on imports from the Middle East, which have become unstable due to geopolitical tensions.
Toto uses the material extensively in the walls and ceilings of its modular bathroom systems, which are widely used in Japanese residential construction.
The shortage follows broader challenges across manufacturing, with several Japanese producers either cutting output or increasing prices in response to tightening raw material supply.
Despite the pause on new orders, Toto said all existing orders with confirmed delivery dates will proceed as planned. The company also indicated it is working to resume order intake gradually from next week.
In a statement, Toto said it is collaborating with government bodies and industry partners to stabilise component supply and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
The situation highlights the wider impact of geopolitical instability on global supply chains, particularly in industries reliant on petrochemical inputs, where disruptions can quickly translate into production delays and order backlogs.
Source: www.kbbreview.com
