Japan's ethylene production hit a 34-year low

Recently, the statistical data released by the Japan Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association showed that in 2022, Japan's ethylene production was 5.41 million tons, down 15% from 2021, and fell to a new low in 34 years after 1988.

The association analyzed that the low ethylene production was mainly caused by the decline in domestic and foreign market demand. According to the ethylene production situation in December 2022 released at the same time, the utilization rate of domestic ethylene production equipment in Japan was 81.4%, which was lower than the target value of 90% of the barometer for five consecutive months.

The Japan Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association pointed out that in 2022, the shortage of semiconductors led to the reduction of automobile production, and the domestic resin demand in Japan declined. In addition, under the support of factors such as sluggish demand in the Chinese market and economic slowdown in Europe and the United States, ethylene exports continued to be weak, resulting in limited ethylene production.