Japan's ethylene exports fall 8.7% year-on-year

TOKYO (ICIS news)--Japan’s exports of ethylene fell 8.7% to 212,100 tonnes in February compared with the same period last year, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said on Thursday.

This was a 10.3% decrease from the previous month, the METI said, without providing any reasons for the decline.

Japan imported 34,800 tonnes of ethylene in February 2010, up 12% year-on-year and down 18.6% month-on-month, according to the METI.

In February 2009, Japan exported 232,200 tonnes of ethylene, while it imported 31,100 tonnes of ethylene, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Japan produced 593,200 tonnes of ethylene in February 2010, up 28% from February 2009, according to the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association (JPCA).