Japan's ethylene production in September fell 3.6% from a month earlier to 573,900 mt, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said late Thursday.
From a year earlier, Japan's ethylene production rose 16.6%.
Industry sources said the decline is due to lower steam cracker operations in September. Some steam cracker operators in Japan reduced their operating rates in a bid to adjust their high ethylene inventories.
Japan's ethylene inventories held by steam cracker operators increased from late August because of logistics disruptions after several explosions and fire at China's Tianjin port on August 12.
As a result of the logistics disruptions, the producers were not able to discharge their cargoes on time, which resulted in a buildup of ethylene inventories.
Their inventory levels have eased back to normal levels around the middle of September, according to industry sources.
