Mining production of one of the most common elements used in cassette tape manufacturing has come to a worldwide halt, causing a global delay on production.
The National Audio Company — the largest audio cassette tape manufacturer in the U.S. — stated in a recent press release (found in the tweet below) that high-grade gamma ferric oxide is in short supply, as the only factory refining the substance has been under renovations for the better part of the year. This substance is used in the manufacturing of the magnetic tape used in cassettes, and thus production has had to be put on hold momentarily, Pitchfork points out.
The National Audio Company — the largest audio cassette tape manufacturer in the U.S. — stated in a recent press release (found in the tweet below) that high-grade gamma ferric oxide is in short supply, as the only factory refining the substance has been under renovations for the better part of the year. This substance is used in the manufacturing of the magnetic tape used in cassettes, and thus production has had to be put on hold momentarily, Pitchfork points out.
This obviously comes as bad news to those benefitting from the tape sale boom seen in recent years — but the National Audio Company has assured customers that it will receive a shipment of ferric oxide at some point this month. By the end of the year, the company hopes to get production back to normal.
Until then, all customers awaiting their cassette orders will be serviced as the industry manages to resupply.
