It was developed and patented by researchers of the company Merck KGaA in Japan . Because the pigment was produced at a single plant in Onahama , production was severally curtailed following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami . The shortage of the pigment caused Ford and Chrysler to restrict the availability of cars and trucks in some red and black paints . The shortage also affected other automobile makes . Hyundai replaced Xirallic with mica in their paints . The plant reopened on 8 May 2011
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Xirallic