Japan's caustic soda production increases 4.1% in October

30 November 2010 09:14  [Source: ICIS news]

TOKYO (ICIS)--Japan’s production of caustic soda rose 4.1% to 353,219 tonnes in October from the same month last year, reflecting robust demand from the chemical industry, official industry data showed on Tuesday.

A total of 164,403 tonnes of caustic soda were domestically shipped for use in the chemical industry in October 2010, a 5.5% increase from October 2009, according to the Japan Soda Industry Association (JSIA).

While caustic soda shipments increased for most applications in the chemical industry, deliveries for caprolactam production rose 36% to 1,178 tonnes year on year, the largest increase in the industry, JSIA data showed.

This was also the highest increase among all applications in all industries that use caustic soda, according to the data.

In the chemical industry, 13,993 tonnes of caustic soda were used for plastic production, an 11% increase from October 2009, based on the JSIA data.

On the other hand, caustic soda shipments for the chemical fibre industry fell 11% to 4,667 tonnes year on year, according to JSIA.

Japan’s exports of caustic soda rose 61% to 75,491 tonnes in October from the same month last year, the data showed.

Most of the country’s caustic soda exports go to Australia, where it is used in the production of alumina.

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By: Tomomi Yokomura
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