Ethylene and derivatives exports for February fall in Japan by 16% from January

08-Apr-14

Japan's ethylene and ethylene derivatives exports in February fell 16.1% from January 2014 to 192,100 ethylene equivalent ton, as per Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported by Platts. Exports were up 4% from February 2013 levels. The month-on-month export decline was led by styrene monomer shipments, which slumped 38.6% to 20,998 EET. Japan's styrene monomer exports were likely lower in February due to some plant turnarounds. For example, Japan's Asahi Kasei shut its 320,000 mtpa No. 2 styrene monomer plant in Mizushima on February 20 for annual maintenance, Platts reported previously. The plant is due to be restarted on April 16. Meanwhile, Japan's ethylene and ethylene derivatives imports in February fell 6.5% month on month to 55,100 EET, according to METI. On a year-on-year basis, imports were up 9.8%.