A number of Japanese metal pressworks and metal manufacturers are expressing concerns over what may become a prolonged shortage of materials after the earthquake and tsunami which struck the country left a number of metal companies’ facilities with severe damage.

Amongst those affected were steelworks giant Sumitomo, who have suffered both in terms of equipment and facilities. This may lead to a number of other companies running out of crucial base materials as Sumitomo struggles to keep up with demand.

Industries in the metal sector are now trying to come up with some temporary stopgap measures to ensure they don’t completly lose out, as stocks of steel, copper and zinc are all expected to plunge. Specifically the domestic capacity for zinc production has dropped by 30% after the earthquake, hitting Japanese automakers especially hard. The top three car manufacturers in the country have been forced to halt production as a result.