Japan Industry Group Warns of War’s Impact on Supply of Thinners

The outlook for supply of thinners and cutting oils — materials used in the production of a wide range of products from chips to cars to planes — is becoming increasingly uncertain, according to a Japanese machine tool industry group.

There are no shortages now, but the prolonged conflict in the Middle East and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz could affect supplies in the future, said Shigetomo Sakamoto, president of Shibaura Machine Co. and the head of the Japan Machine Tool Builders’ Association.