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TOKYO (Reuters) -- Japanese ethylene production jumped 33.7 percent in January from a year ago, government data showed on Monday, on the back of healthy plastic demand from China.
Ethylene output totalled 670,100 tonnes last month, up from 501,300 tonnes a year earlier, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said.
Ethylene is used to produce polyethylene -- the world"s most popular plastic used for products such as grocery bags and toys -- in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, which is then exported to China.
The export volume of ethylene soared 45.1 percent to 233,200 tonnes in December from a year earlier. The January export figures have not yet been released.
January saw no maintenance-related plant shutdowns in Japan, the same as a year ago, the trade ministry said.
mrcplast.com |
