Mitsubishi runs Kashima SM unit below capacity

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Japan’s Mitsubishi Chemical was operating its 371,000 tonne/year styrene monomer unit at a reduced rate of around 60% currenlty after restarting the facility in mid-August following a turnaround, a company source said on Tuesday.

The facility located at Kashima was taken offline in early July for a planned maintenance shutdown.

Several producers have started operating their plants at below capacity in the third quarter because of poor demand in key Chinese market and high feedstock costs.

Other Japanese producers include Asahi Kasei Co, Idemitsu Kosan Co, Nihon Oxirane Co, Nippon Steel Chemicals and Denka Kagaku.