Japan’s ethylene production up by over 18% in November vs year ago levels

09-Dec-09

Japanese ethylene production has increased by 18.1% to 634,700 tons in November 2009 from levels of 537,600 tons seen in November 2008 as most key players increased cracker run rates in a bid to benefit from the demand surge from China. Low levels of ethylene output were seen in November 2008 – a time when the global economic crisis had unfolded and several companies cut ethylene production to counter the steep drop in demand. There were no maintenance-related plant shutdowns in Japan in November 2009. Export volume of ethylene rose more than 83% to 232,200 tons in October from a year ago levels.