Ethylene capacity utilization in Japan crosses 95% for the first time since H1-2010

22-Jul-16

For the first time since H1-2010, ethylene capacity utilization in Japan has exceeded 95%, the benchmark for strong performance. Ethylene facilities, which produce precursors for a variety of chemical products, continue to operate at a high level, with capacity utilization in the January-June period hitting 96.2%, according to the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association, as per asia.nikkei.com
High capacity utilization is expected to continue in the H2-2016 as well. However, production of four commodity-grade materials, including polyethylene, totalled 2.65 mln tons in the first half, around 10% less than in H1-2010 when ethylene plant capacity utilization was around the same level. That is because companies reduced production capacity between 2014 and 2016.