Date: August 12, 2021
Location: Tatsuno, Nagano Prefecture (Japan)
Address: 4333-1, Oaza Inatomi Aza Shiromae, Kamiina-gun
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Toner Dust
Industry: Imaging Technology Production
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Konica Minolta
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Konica Minolta is a technology company headquartered in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, with offices in 49 countries worldwide. It was founded in 1873 and manufactures business and industrial imaging products, including copiers, laser printers, multi-functional peripherals (MFPs), and digital printing systems. It also makes optical devices, medical and graphic imaging products, colour proofing systems, X-ray film, and textile printers.
Incident Description:
On August 13, 2021, The Recycler reported an explosion at a toner processing facility in Tatsuno, Japan.
The incident occurred at around 5:15 p.m. on August 12. Employees later said that there was an explosion in the production line and immediately called the local fire department and police department. At 6:36 p.m. the fire department completed their on-site activities.
No injuries were reported but one unit of production equipment on the second floor of the production building was damaged and the external wall of the third floor of the building was partially damaged.
On September 28, The Recycler stated that an in-house investigation found it highly likely that the static electricity generated in the drying process was the cause of the dust explosion.
Previous Incidents
On September 21, 2021, PrintWeek reported that an explosion had occurred at the same facility on July 6, 2021. It was identified to have been caused by static electricity within the production equipment. No injuries were reported.
Sources:
The Recycler (August 13, 2021)
The Recycler (September 28, 2021)
PrintWeek
