TOTO announced June 8 that it is resuming new orders for unit baths after a temporary suspension caused by a naphtha shortage [1].
This resumption marks the end of a production halt that disrupted the supply chain for bathtub finishes. Because the company relies on specific coating solvents derived from naphtha, any instability in raw material procurement directly impacts its ability to fulfill new contracts for these home fixtures.
The company paused new orders on April 13, 2026 [4, 5]. This suspension was triggered by a shortage of naphtha, a raw material linked to supply disruptions in the Middle East, specifically regarding the Hormuz Strait [3]. The shortage prevented TOTO from securing the necessary solvents required for the coating process of its unit bath products [3].
Reports on the exact timing of the restart vary. According to ANN, the resumption of new orders became effective on June 9, 2026 [1]. However, Nikkei reported that the resumption was scheduled for June 20, 2026 [2]. Other sources, including Hokkoku, suggested that a concrete date for the restart remained undecided [2].
TOTO said the restart is possible now because the supply of raw materials has stabilized [1]. This stability allows the manufacturer to procure the coating solvents again and resume normal operations for its unit bath line [3].
The company, which is headquartered in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture, had faced significant pressure to resolve the bottleneck since the initial pause in April [3]. The stabilization of the naphtha supply chain is critical for the company to meet pending demand, and avoid further delays in the Japanese housing market [1].
“TOTO is resuming new orders for unit baths after a temporary suspension caused by a naphtha shortage.”
The disruption highlights the vulnerability of Japanese high-end manufacturing to geopolitical instability in the Hormuz Strait. Because TOTO's specialized coating processes depend on specific petrochemical derivatives, a localized shortage of naphtha can halt entire product lines, illustrating how energy security in the Middle East directly affects residential construction timelines in Japan.
